Singapore Children's Society launches philanthropy drive

Donate $1,000 over a year and you will be considered a philanthropist, under a fundraising initiative launched by the Singapore Children's Society on Tuesday.

The 1,000 Philanthropists (1000P) programme aims to get individuals to make the annual donation for a period of one, three or five years. The charity hopes to have at least 1,000 individuals on the programme, and raise $3 million each year.

More than 130 philanthropists have joined the programme since its soft launch in February, donating about $400,000 to date.

Interested donors can find out more and sign up online at www.1000p.org.sg.

The charity also runs the 1,000 Enterprises for Children-in-Need programme, which encourages companies to pledge annual donations.

Mr Kurt Wee, chairman of the organisation's Appeals Standing Committee, said the charity has seen a growing number of individuals who want to contribute on a personal basis rather than through their company's capacity.

"You don't have to give a multi-million dollar cheque to be a philanthropist," he said. "In your own small way, you can be a philanthropist as well in this programme."

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