1.

What is Community Chest?

Community Chest is the fundraising and engagement arm of the National Council of Social Service.

2.

What is the difference between NCSS and Community Chest?

NCSS is the national co-ordinating body for social service organisations in Singapore while Community Chest is the fundraising
and engagement arm of NCSS.

3.

Is Community Chest a government body?

 
Whilst Community Chest is the fundraising and engagement arm of NCSS, it is raising funds on behalf of the
social service organisations in the social service sector. 100% of the funds raised are used to support the social service organisations in carrying out their programmes, which bring benefits to the people they serve. Community Chest is also led by a Committee that comprises volunteers.

4.

Is Community Chest a social service organisation?

Community Chest is a social service organisation. It is a centralised body that raises funds for about 80 social service organsations in Singapore,
which deliver services to the disadvantaged through critical social service programmes. Donations to Community Chest are entitled to tax deductions. Community Chest also endeavours to promote care and share in the community through public and corporate engagement.

5.

Do all the donations go to the social service organisations which Community Chest support?

Yes. All donations go to the social service organisations under Community Chest. So, when you support Community Chest, you can be assured that every dollar raised goes to benefit someone in need.

 6.

Who covers the operating costs of Community Chest?

Our fundraising and operating costs are covered mainly by Tote Board Group, comprising Tote Board, Singapore Pools and Singapore Turf Club.

7.

Does Community Chest solicit funds through door-to-door donations?

No, Community Chest does not solicit funds through door-to-door donations. A House to House and Street Collections permit is required for any door-to-door fund-raising activity. This is issued by the Singapore Police Force or the National Council of Social Service (for its members only). You may search for approved fund-raising activities via the links:
 

• Singapore Police Force - House to House and Street Collection

• NCSS Approved Fund-Raising Events

 
Should anyone approach you for a donation, you may request for him/ her to show you a copy of the Collector's Certificate of Authority (CCA). The CCA must reflect the collector's name, NRIC, the approval number, the organization that they are fundraising for and/ or fundraising mode (e.g. Flag day, selling of merchandise, etc).

1.

What are the modes of donation to Community Chest and how do I make a donation via these different modes?

Please see the full list of ways you may donate to us here.

2.

Can I give anonymously?

Yes. All social service organisations honour anonymous donations. Specify your desire to remain anonymous, and the social service organisation will respect your request.

3.

Is it safe to donate online via the Community Chest website?

Our website is secure and ensures the use of the latest technology to encrypt all information during data transmission. To verify that the page requesting your credit card information is secure, the letters “https” rather than “http” should precede the page's URL and/or there should be an unbroken key or padlock symbol located in the corner of the web browser.

4.

How much do I have to contribute?

You can donate whatever amount you can afford as there is no minimum amount required. Every dollar you give matters.
 
Do note however, that there is a minimum amount of SGD$1 for online donations.

5.

If I make a donation, am I entitled to tax deductions? Are there instances where my donations are not entitled for tax deductions?

As a general rule, all outright cash donations given by individuals or corporations to social service organisations with tax deductible status will be entitled to tax deductions. From 1 January 2016 to 31 December 2018, donors are entitled to 250% tax deduction for qualifying donations. Therefore, if you give $100 to a social service organisation, you will be entitled to tax deduction for the amount of $250. 
 
For more information, please refer to IRAS website here.
 
Outright cash donations made to us are also tax deductible. However, this only applies when your donation does not reward you in a material way. For example, lucky draw tickets and charity auction donation (up to the market value of the auction item) do not qualify for tax deductions.
 
If you are an individual donor, you may also wish to note that the Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore (IRAS) now automatically acknowledges the tax deductible status of your donations if the social service organisation submits your identification number to IRAS on your behalf. This means that you will not need the tax deductible receipts when submitting your annual tax assessment forms. For more information on social service organisations and donations, the IRAS's website @ www.iras.gov.sg can provide you with more details.

6.

Will Community Chest issue me a tax deductible receipt for my donation?

In support of green efforts to save the environment, we will not be issuing any receipts for donation amounts below $100, unless upon request. Regardless of your donation amount, we will help to submit your tax deduction to IRAS as long as you provide your identification number when making a donation.

7.

Do I need the tax deductible receipts when I submit the annual tax assessment forms?

No. If you provide your identification number when you make a donation to us, we will help you make the submission to IRAS. This means that you will not need the tax deductible receipts when submitting your annual tax assessment forms.
 
If you are an individual donor, you may also wish to note that the Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore (IRAS) now automatically acknowledges the tax deductible status of your donations if the social service organisation submits your identification number to IRAS on your behalf.

8.

What is CCIP?

CCIP refers to Corporate Community Involvement Programme. It involves the giving of corporate resources, time, knowledge and influence to enhance the well-being of the less fortunate and the less privileged in our community. Contact us at ncss_comchest@ncss.gov.sg to know more about CCIP.

1.

Which social service organisation should I support?

With the large number of social service organisations registered in Singapore, you should choose the social service organisation that is right for you. Take time to find an organisation that does good work in a field that is important to you, whether it serves disadvantaged children or families, the seniors in need, or people with disabilities.
 
If you have questions on whether the organisation soliciting for your donations is authorised, request for written information that includes their mission and what they do. Your favourite social service organisation should be able to provide certain information upon request, including
 

• Financial statements that have been audited by an independent accountant

• An annual report / activity report that includes a list of the board of directors; the audited financial statements or comprehensive summary, and a description of services they provide

• A statement of functional expenses, explaining expenditure details such as rent, postage, salaries, fundraising, management and general expenses

• A projected budget for the coming year

2.

How do I get information on a social service organisation?

You can ensure that a social service organisation is legitimate if it has a formal registration with a legal authorisation body that incorporates its status as a charitable organisation. Some of these bodies include the Registry of Societies, the Registry of Companies and the Commissioner of Charities.
 
You can also approach National Council of Social Service (NCSS), the coordinating body for social service organisations in Singapore, for an informed opinion of its member organisations.
 
The Internet is also a great source of information and most social service organisations have websites with information on what programmes they run, how funds are allocated and how they fulfil their mission.

3.

How do I give?

Consider giving to legitimate social service organisations that make it their responsibility to manage your donations well. Such organisations attach a high value of accountability to their donors and will be open regarding the use of funds collected.
 
Community Chest, for example, publishes its financial statements in its annual report, selected collaterals and provides them to interested donors upon request.
 
Whether it is us or other social service organisations that you choose to give to, it is advisable to issue your donations by cheque, not cash. Make certain that your cheque is made payable to the name of the social service organisation and not to an individual.
 
Besides outright donations, other ways of giving can include purchasing merchandise and donation draw tickets from established charities for the purpose of fundraising.
 
You may also be approached on the streets for outright donations. Social service organisations do depend on such avenues to raise the necessary funds. However, you should not be pressured to give on the spot. If in doubt concerning the legitimacy of the fundraising activity, you may ask about the fundraising licence that fundraisers have to obtain to conduct street solicitations. You may also ask about the benefiting social service organisation.

4.

How will my donations to Community Chest be used to help those in need?

We raise funds to support about 80 social service organisations, allowing them to focus on caring for the disadvantaged. 100% of your donations will go towards empowering the lives of:
 

• Children with special needs and youth-at-risk

• Adults with disabilities 
• Families in need
• Vulnerable seniors 

• Persons with mental health issues 

We believe that all your donations should be used for real needs. Our fundraising cost is usually kept to 16% or less, of the total funds raised – significantly lower than the 30% guideline set by the Charities Unit for Institutions of A Public Character (IPCs).
 
We also ensure that the use of your donations is transparent, effective and efficient. That is why we establish various levels of guidelines and standards for the social service organisations to adhere, including Service Standards Requirements and Programme Evaluation System.

5.

Is it safe to give to social service organisations online?

It is good to make sure that the social servie organisation's site has a secure server that uses encryption technology that ensures appropriate security of your personal and payment information.

To verify that the page requesting your credit card information is secure, the letters “https” rather than “http” should precede the page's URL and/or there should be an unbroken key or padlock symbol located in the corner of the web browser.

6.

Do I have to make a contribution when I receive direct mail appeals with accompanied "gifts"?

You need not feel obligated to give when you receive direct mail solicitations that come with greeting cards, stickers, calendars, key rings or other "gifts". Social service organisations do this to increase donations but you don't have to make a contribution to keep the "gifts". It is considered unethical for a social service organisation to demand payment for any unordered merchandise.

7.

If I do not wish to give money, what other ways can I give to social service organisations?

Many social service organisations benefit from alternative forms of giving, besides donation of money. Volunteering your time and skills to help your community can be a rewarding experience. Most social service organisations welcome volunteers’ help in various ways. Find the volunteering opportunity that best suits your requirement here. For donations-in-kind, social service organisations can benefit directly from your kind gesture. You may wish to select a social service organisation from the list of NCSS member organisations here to donate your gifts.

8.

I have unclaimed prizes that I wish to donate to Community Chest. How can I go about doing this?

Thank you for considering to donate your unclaimed prizes to us. From February 2017, as we will like NCSS member organisations to benefit directly from your unclaimed prizes, we will appreciate it if you can select a social service organisation from the list of NCSS member organisations available on the NCSS website here to contact and donate your gifts directly. We will not be receiving unclaimed prizes on behalf of our member organisations so more can be channelled directly and promptly to those who need them.