Community Chest gave out more than $74m in 2024; over $13m went to mental health support

SINGAPORE – More than $74 million was given by the Community Chest to fund social service and community programmes in 2024, the highest amount of funding since 2019.

The total funds of $74.1 million represent an increase of more than 7 per cent from 2023 and supported more than 94,000 people, 15 per cent more than in 2023.

Of the total amount, over $13 million went towards supporting people with mental health needs – an increase of more than 40 per cent from 2023 – in response to a growing demand for mental health support, the charity said in its annual impact report released on Oct 8.

In 2024, for the sixth consecutive year, suicide was the leading cause of death among young people aged 10 to 29, the report said.

The Community Chest, the philanthropic arm of the National Council of Social Service (NCSS), supported 13 social service agencies, which run services like a suicide hotline, helping people with mental health needs.

It found that almost 90 per cent of callers felt less distressed after calling these hotlines.

For programmes that helped people with mental health needs, the report showed 73 per cent of the beneficiaries found employment and were able to stay employed for at least six months.

About half of the $74.1 million went towards critical needs like people with mental health needs, children with special needs, and adults with disabilities.

The report, which gathered data from the organisations it supported, also found that more than 90 per cent of people with disabilities undergoing case management and counselling were able to meet at least half of their needs, such as family, social or medical issues.

These needs included accessing resources for themselves like counselling, assistive devices and support groups.

The Community Chest supported 25 special education schools in 2024. More than 8,000 children with special needs received education and training, about 7 per cent more than the year before.

About 850 seniors received counselling through initiatives that the Community Chest supported in 2024, over three times more than in 2023.

Close to 120 seniors served by sheltered community homes were able to comply with medical advice and treatment, maintain positive social relationships, and participate in social recreational activities at least three times a week.

The report was released at the Community Chest’s annual award ceremony at the Grand Hyatt Singapore, where DBS Bank, Singtel, SP Group and UOB received the highest accolade for their efforts in donating, volunteering, and implementing inclusive employment practices.

President Tharman Shanmugaratnam attended the ceremony, alongside Senior Parliamentary Secretary for Social and Family Development Eric Chua. A total of 169 donors and partners were recognised across 224 awards at the event.

Beyond funding social service programmes, the Community Chest also helped social service agencies enhance their organisational capabilities, as part of efforts to strengthen the sector in 2024.

In a statement on Oct 8, the Community Chest said NCSS is working with partners like the National Volunteer and Philanthropy Centre to develop guidelines for businesses to better understand their philanthropy efforts through social impact metrics.

NCSS currently has a sector evaluation framework to help social service agencies better report the results from their programmes.

Mr Chua said the framework was introduced to provide consistency for how programme outcomes are measured across the social service sector. This also makes it easier for agencies to measure their progress, he added.

“Social service agencies can better articulate the value of their work while donors gain confidence in knowing they are funding effective programmes and creating positive impacts on lives.”

“This improved clarity and accountability helps raise the standard of impact reporting across the sector.”