More corporate gifts bought from social service agencies, charities
There has been a shift in corporate gifting as companies become more socially responsible
MANY corporate gifts these days have a story behind them, as more companies are purchasing them from social service agencies and non-profit organisations.
This move directly supports persons with disabilities who are usually the artisans behind the items and earn allowances for making them.
Dr Kenny Lai, director of Minds’ west cluster, said there has been a “noticeable shift” in corporate gifting. “This approach not only supports meaningful causes but also aligns with (the companies’) values and enhances their brand image.”
Minds is one such agency that offers corporate gifts through its social enterprises, including Minds Bakers and Craft.
“The impetus is to offer a platform for persons with intellectual disabilities (PWIDs) to turn their passion, talent and creativity into a profession. What began as a therapy programme has evolved into sustainable work engagement initiatives that may create opportunities for open employment,” Dr Lai said.
Additional revenue
The PWIDs receive a monthly allowance and make gifts such as tote bags, coasters and baked goods gift sets. The social service agency takes an average of 10 corporate orders in a year, with orders ranging from 300 to 1,500 in quantity. During the festive season, about 40 PWIDs from the social enterprise were involved.
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Dr Lai added that these partnerships create an additional revenue stream for Minds, as there is “consistent demand” every year. “The funds generated are crucial, as they directly contribute to our trainees’ allowance and help cover the operating costs of our social enterprise programmes.”
“The impetus is to offer a platform for persons with intellectual disabilities to turn their passion, talent and creativity into a profession. What began as a therapy programme has evolved into sustainable work engagement initiatives that may create opportunities for open employment.”
Dr Kenny Lai, director of Minds’ west cluster
In 2024, Minds Bakers and Craft teamed up with infotech company NCS for the first time for its gifts. NCS previously procured artisanal chocolates from local brands.
Ong Fei Fei, senior director of marketing and communications at NCS, said: “This year, we wanted to create a more purposeful and meaningful gift package while still working with local brands and organisations… We’re working with Minds because we believe the work Minds does in empowering PWIDs aligns very closely with our own of advancing communities through technology.”
NCS ordered 650 corporate gift sets, each comprising three packets of cookies as well as gift wrap in sustainable fabric featuring artwork inspired by images created by students with special needs using generative artificial intelligence.
She added: “By supporting social services agencies like Minds, we are helping to play our part in creating opportunities for individuals with special needs.”
On top of vocational training, Dr Lai said these collaborations also teach PWIDs essential skills for independent community living, such as communication and problem-solving.
Long-term partnerships
Property player LHN is another company that partners social service agencies for its corporate gifts. Since 2022, it has worked with Journey – a brand under non-profit organisation Touch Community Services that also supports PWIDs – to purchase gifts ranging from laptop sleeves and ceramic coasters to tote bags and umbrellas.
Jess Lim, executive director and group deputy managing director at LHN, said: “Our management team also visited the Touch Centre for Independent Living to meet the artists behind the products. The visit gave us a deeper understanding of the challenges these individuals face, as well as Touch’s initiatives to help them acquire skills for independent living and earn an income through their talents.”
At the events where LHN provided the gifts, it also shared the stories behind them and organised fundraising sessions.
“These products carry meaningful stories and truly stand out from mass-produced corporate gifts, allowing gift recipients to also feel motivated to use them when they learn about the mission behind the brand,” she added.
Journey supports some 70 PWIDs, who earn an income from every product sold. It works with more than 100 companies every year.
Vanessa Lam, head of Journey, Touch Community Services, said: “These partnerships like the one we have with LHN contribute significantly to Journey’s stream of income for sustainability. and will drive increased self-sufficiency for both Journey and our special artists.”
She noted that she has observed a “growing trend where businesses are prioritising socially responsible gifting in recent years”.
LHN’s Lim added: “(These corporate gifts) not only help create jobs and enhance skill sets for artists with special needs, but promote greater inclusivity in the wider community.”
LHN and Touch’s partnership has extended beyond the gifts. They have partnered for other initiatives, such as engaging seniors in active ageing and giving children from lower-income families a helping hand.
Charity organisation SPD also offers corporate gifts under its SPD Artisan Collab brand such as leathercraft items including hand-bound journals. SPD’s workshop team comprises 20 persons with physical or developmental disabilities and autism, who receive allowances.
During the 2024 festive season, it worked with 10 to 12 corporate customers. Singtel ordered personalised leather cardholders for its staff, while SP Group regularly orders journals.
Abhimanyau Pal, chief executive of SPD, said: “Revenue from the SPD Artisan Collab initiative goes towards helping to defray some of the costs of running the sheltered workshop programme, providing work and training opportunities for persons with disabilities.”
For FY2023/2024, revenue from the sale of products from this initiative amounted to about S$50,000. However, this contributed only to a “small fraction of the workshop’s operational costs”, he said.
“While such revenue-generating initiatives are important to keep the charity going, currently they alone cannot sustain the programme.”
Securing more long-term partnerships will help SPD to not only create more opportunities for its beneficiaries, but also enable them to develop work habits that could help them advance to the next level of training or supported employment.
Abhimanyau added: “More organisations are recognising the value of supporting charities through such collaborations, as it reflects their commitment to social impact.
“We hope for more partnerships with corporates to provide the sustained resources, opportunities and income necessary to keep the sheltered workshop running; and empower our beneficiaries to lead more independent and fulfilling lives.”
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