Giving in the digital era: How Singaporeans are redefining charity

Every two years, the National Volunteer and Philanthropy Centre (NVPC) takes the pulse of generosity in Singapore through its National Giving Study.

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In the 2023 edition, it surveyed 1,951 people islandwide and held 33 focus group discussions with 112 participants from a wide range of age groups and giving profiles.

Of those who donated, 37 per cent did so online in 2018. This rose to 43 per cent in 2021, before settling at 39 per cent in 2023. The trend suggests that digital giving has become a steady part of Singapore's charitable landscape.

"One interesting observation is how younger Singaporeans, in particular, are embracing innovative, alternative ways of giving, from online fundraising to micro-volunteering," says Mr Lenard Pattiselanno, senior director of NVPC's community leadership and partnerships team.

"Especially with the greater ease in online giving, donors will need to be discerning on which platform engenders trust for them," he adds.

Among those who did not donate in 2023, one reason stood out: the fear of scams, which increased by 9 per cent since 2021.

On the flip side, the study found that trust makes all the difference. Respondents who had a positive perception of charities – believing they use funds wisely and are generally reliable – were far more likely to give, and to do so more frequently.

Madam Sonia Wong, 54, regularly donates money and volunteers with Be Kind SG, a charity that supports parents with children with special needs. The full-time caregiver and mother of two does not set aside a specific amount of money for charitable causes every year, preferring to donate as and when she feels like it.