Rationale for Stopping Government's Matching Support for Enhanced Fund-Raising Programme in FY2027

26 Ms Denise Phua Lay Peng asked the Prime Minister and Minister for Finance what is the rationale behind the cessation of the Government's share of matching support for the Tote Board's Enhanced Fund-Raising Programme in FY2027.

Ms Indranee Rajah (for the Prime Minister): In financial year 2020, the Government partnered Tote Board to enhance support for charities during the COVID-19 pandemic by raising matching support for donations under the Enhanced Fund-Raising (EFR) Programme. The pandemic had greatly disrupted operations in the charity sector, including fundraising activities and events. The enhanced support was intended to help charities during the crisis brought about by the pandemic.

It is now timely to taper matching support under the EFR Programme to pre-COVID-19 levels. This will be done gradually to provide charities sufficient time to adjust their fundraising plans.

Notwithstanding the tapering of support for the EFR Programme, the Government continues to provide broad-based support for charities. This includes 250% tax deductions for qualifying donations to Institutions of a Public Character and the Charities Capabilities Fund, which provides funding support to enhance the governance and management capabilities of charities. The Government also has matching grant schemes to support charities in specific sectors, such as the Cultural Matching Fund, One Team Singapore Fund and Community Silver Trust.