Singapore’s culture of giving continues to grow, driven by collective effort and stronger collaboration across communities. This momentum was underscored at the City of Good Forum 2026, where more than 400 leaders and changemakers from the People, Private and Public sectors gathered to champion partnerships for social good. The event, themed “Shared Spirit, Collective Impact,” was graced by Minister of State for Culture, Community and Youth & Ministry of Manpower, Mr Dinesh Vasu Dash.
A Broader Look at Giving in Singapore
This year’s National Giving Study (NGS) 2025 takes a refreshed and expanded view of giving in Singapore. Beyond traditional volunteering and charitable donations, the study also recognises everyday mutual aid and informal acts of support as part of the giving landscape. The updated methodology aims to better capture the diverse ways generosity shows up in an evolving society.
Surveying more than 3,600 people in 2024, NGS 2025 highlights several key insights:
Giving Is Widespread
- 76% of respondents reported engaging in giving behaviours, including mutual aid, volunteering, or donating.
Role Models and Social Environments Matter
- Parental influence, close social networks, and supportive surroundings significantly shape giving habits.
- Domestic help with caregiving or household responsibilities, along with workplaces offering volunteer leave, increases participation in volunteerism and charitable acts.
Volunteering Builds Social Connection
- Volunteers tend to form broader and more diverse social networks, interacting across socio-economic, racial, and occupational groups.
Life Rhythms Influence Participation
- Work, childcare and caregiving commitments affect the frequency of volunteering, showing a need for more flexible, seasonal or lower-commitment opportunities.
Snapshot of Structured Giving Behaviours
While the new methodology differs from past editions, NGS 2025 offers a clear snapshot of Singapore’s structured giving patterns:
- 21% volunteered in the past year
- 45% made monetary or in-kind donations
- Median volunteer hours: 7 hours a year
- Median number of volunteer engagements: 3 times
- Median annual donation: S$120, made 4 times throughout the year
Strategies to Encourage Greater Giving
The study identifies giving as a socially rooted behaviour shaped by:
- Peer and role-model influence
- Domestic and workplace support
- Life-stage changes
- Digital engagement
Recommended strategies to strengthen giving include:
- Nurturing early giving habits through youth-focused recognition
- Highlighting and supporting social and household contributions
- Enhancing workplace volunteer programmes and recognition
- Turning online engagement into offline action
- Offering flexible, low-barrier volunteer opportunities
- Promoting group-based volunteering for sustained participation
Recognising Corporate–Community Partnerships
At the City of Good Forum 2026, 20 corporate-community partnerships were honoured for their efforts under Project V, a structured volunteering initiative co-led by NVPC and the National Council of Social Service. The programme helps companies build long-term community partnerships through guided volunteer engagement.
Among the recognised organisations was AETOS, a returning Project V participant. After partnering with MINDS in 2024, AETOS expanded its outreach in 2025 to support both MINDS and the Care Community Services Society (CCSS). Employees participated in befriending sessions, recreational outings and intergenerational activities, strengthening bonds with Persons with Intellectual Disabilities (PWIDs) and seniors.
AETOS noted that leadership support, volunteer recognition, and platforms for sharing volunteer stories were key to maintaining strong and meaningful community partnerships.
