NUS, NTU and three mega churches are Singapore’s largest charities with business units

Practice draws reminder from charities watchdog to keep relationships at arm's length

Nanyang Technological University has more than 12 subsidiaries, which offer training and consultancy services, and foster the collaboration, development and commercialisation of technology.
The National University of Singapore is the Republic’s most successful fund-raiser, collecting $227 million in donations in its financial year that ended in March last year. ST FILE PHOTO
The National University of Singapore is the Republic's most successful fund-raiser, collecting $227 million in donations in its financial year that ended in March last year.
New Creation Church's subsidiary Rock Productions partnered property giant CapitaLand to develop The Star (above), a shopping mall cum performing arts centre in Buona Vista that also provides its place of worship. ST FILE PHOTO
New Creation Church's subsidiary Rock Productions partnered property giant CapitaLand to develop The Star (above), a shopping mall cum performing arts centre in Buona Vista that also provides its place of worship.
Nanyang Technological University has more than 12 subsidiaries, which offer training and consultancy services, and foster the collaboration, development and commercialisation of technology. ST FILE PHOTO
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Faith Community Baptist's business subsidiaries include Gateway Entertainment, which produces magic shows such as those put on by senior pastor Lawrence Khong and his daughter, Priscilla, and Gateway Theatre, in Bukit Merah, where it holds its services on weekends. The church collected $26 million in donations last year.

While these businesses have existed for years, a spotlight is currently being trained on charities with subsidiaries as the Commissioner of Charities (COC) reviews the guidelines to "better protect charities' interests when they embark on business activities".

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A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Sunday Times on July 21, 2019, with the headline NUS, NTU and three mega churches are Singapore’s largest charities with business units. Subscribe