FAQ

General FAQs

What is Community Chest?
What is the difference between NCSS and the Community Chest?
Is Community Chest a government body?
Is the Community Chest a charity?
Is the Community Chest very rich?
Do all the donations go to the beneficiaries which Community Chest supports?
Who covers the operating cost of Community Chest?

Making Donations

What are the modes of donation to Community Chest?
How do I make a donation to Community Chest via these different modes?
Can I give anonymously?
Is online donation safe?
What is SHARE?
How can I be part of SHARE?
How much do I have to contribute?
If I make a donation, am I entitled to tax deductions? Are there instances where my donations are not entitled for tax deductions?
Will the Community Chest issue me a tax exemption receipt for my donation?
Do I need the tax-deductible receipts when I submit the annual tax assessment forms?
How can corporations help?
What is CCIP?

Giving Tips

Which charity should I support?
How do I get information on a charity?
How do I give?
How will my donations be used to help the needy?
Can I give anonymously?
Do I obtain tax deductions for my donations?
Is it safe to give to charities online?
Do I have to make a contribution when I receive direct mail appeals with accompanied "gifts"?
If I do not wish to give money, what other ways can I give to charity?

1. What is Community Chest?

Community Chest is the fund-raising arm of the National Council of Social Service.

2. What is the difference between NCSS and the Community Chest?

NCSS is the national co-ordinating body for charities in Singapore while the Community Chest is the fund-raising arm of NCSS.

3. Is Community Chest a government body?

No. The Community Chest is established by an Act of Parliament but it is not part of the Government. It is independently run by a Board comprising volunteers from various walks of life.

4. Is the Community Chest a charity?

No. The Community Chest raises funds on behalf of more than 50 charities in Singapore, which deliver services to the less advantaged through critical and pilot programmes.

5. Is the Community Chest very rich?

No. The charities under ComChest rely on the funds it raises to provide welfare services to those who need them. The funds raised by the Community Chest will be disbursed to the charities on a quarterly basis, and fresh dollars have to be raised every year.

6. Do all the donations go to the beneficiaries which Community Chest supports?

Yes. All donations go to the charities under the Community Chest. So, when you support the Community Chest, you can be assured that every dollar raised goes to benefit someone in need.

7. Who covers the operating cost of Community Chest?

Our long-standing partner, Singapore Totalisator Board, covers the administrative and operating costs incurred by the Community Chest.

What are the modes of donation to Community Chest?

For One-Time Donation

You may donate via cheques, online credit card donation, SingPost SAM Machines or vPOST.

For Monthly Donation (SHARE Programme)

You may donate via online E-SHARE (through credit card, GIRO) or via your company payroll.

How do I make a donation to Community Chest via these different modes?

Donations Via Credit Card, GIRO

Step 1: Download the SHARE Form. Click here for the form.
Step 2: Print out and complete the form.
Step 3: Send the form to the following address:

Community Chest
National Council of Social Service
170 Ghim Moh Road #01-02
Singapore 279621
Fax: 6-468-3410

If you encounter problems printing out the form, please send us an e-mail with your particulars and we'll send you a pre-printed form.

Donations via Cheque

Step 1: Make your cheque payable to "Community Chest". Please remember to cross your cheque.
Step 2: Indicate your name, address, NRIC No and contact number at the back of the cheque.
Step 3: Send it to the following address:

Community Chest
National Council of Social Service
170 Ghim Moh Road
#01-02
Singapore 279621

If you wish to check whether we have successfully received your cheque, please contact us.

Donations via SAM Machine
Denominations of $2, $5 and $10
Transaction charge will be borne by Community Chest.
Tax deduction will be available to you as personal details will be required from you when you donate. Singapore Post will provide Community Chest with your personal particulars.

Donations via VPost

Denominations of $8, $28 and $88
Website: http://www.vpost.com.sg
Tax deduction will be available to you as personal details will be required from you when you donate. VPost will provide Community Chest with your personal particulars.

3.		Can I give anonymously?
		Yes. All charities honour anonymous donations. Specify your desire to remain anonymous, and the charity will respect your request.

4.		Is online donation safe?
		Community Chest's online donation page which requires credit card information is protected by Secure Socket Layer (SSL). SSL is a technology developed by Netscape and is adopted by all vendors producing related Web software. It works by encrypting all information - scrambling it before the information leaves your computer and unscrambled only when it reaches the charity server. To verify that the page requesting your credit card information is secure, the letters https:// - rather than http:// - should precede the page's URL and/or there should be an unbroken key or padlock symbol located in the corner of the web browser.

5.		What is SHARE?
		SHARE is a fund-raising programme of ComChest. Individuals help by making a small yet consistent monthly contribution through payroll, GIRO, credit or charge card deduction.

How can I be part of SHARE?

As an individual

You can make a monthly contribution via your payroll, GIRO or Credit Card deduction.
You can be a SHARE Liaison Officer! Introduce and promote the SHARE programme to your colleagues. Contact us [LO: Ying Lee] and we will help you to implement the SHARE programme in your workplace.
You can also be a SHARE Ambassador! Spread this spirit of giving to your family and friends.

As a company

Introduce and implement the SHARE programme at your workplace with your top management's endorsement.
Create awareness of the SHARE programme by giving group presentations to your employees.

7.		How much do I have to contribute?
		You can donate whatever amount you can afford as there is no minimum amount required. Every dollar you give matters.

8.		If I make a donation, am I entitled to tax deductions? Are there instances where my donations are not entitled for tax deductions?
		As a general rule, all outright cash donations given by individuals or corporations to charities with tax-deductible status will be entitled to tax deductions. Donors are entitled to double tax deductions (twice the donation value) for such donations made on or after 1 Jan 2002. For instance, if you give $100 to a charity, you will be entitled to tax deductions for the amount of $200. Outright cash donations made to Community Chest are also tax deductible to donors. However, this only applies when your donation doesn't reward you in a material way. For example, purchases of concert or fund-raising dinner tickets do not qualify for tax deductions.

9.		Will the Community Chest issue me a tax exemption receipt for my donation?
		Yes. Community Chest will issue you a tax exemption receipt for your donation regardless of the donation amount.

10.		Do I need the tax-deductible receipts when I submit the annual tax assessment forms?
		No. If you provide your identification number when you make a donation to Community Chest, we will help you make the submission to IRAS. This means that you will not need the tax-deductible receipts when submitting your annual tax assessment forms. If you are an individual donor, you may also wish to note that the Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore (IRAS) now automatically acknowledges the tax-deductible status of your donations if the charity submits your identification number to IRAS on your behalf.

11.		How can corporations help?
		There are two ways that corporate partners can render assistance: through the Corporate Community Involvement Programme (CCIP) and SHARE Programme, a monthly donation by employees which can be matched by corporations.

12.		How much do I have to contribute?
		CCIP refers to Corporate Community Involvement Programme. It involves the giving of corporate resources, time, knowledge and influence to enhance the well-being of the less fortunate and the less privileged in our community. Contact us to know more about CCIP.

1.		Which charity should I support?
		With the large number of charities registered in Singapore, you should choose the charity that's right for you. Take time to find an organisation that does good work in a field that is important to you, whether it serves distressed children or families, the frail elderly, or people with disabilities. If you have questions on whether the organisation soliciting for your donations is authorised, request for written information that includes their mission and what they do. Your favourite charity should be able to provide certain information upon request, including Financial statements that have been audited by an independent accountant. An annual report / activity report that includes a list of the board of directors; the audited financial statements or comprehensive summary, and a description of services they provide. A statement of functional expenses, explaining expenditure details such as rent, postage, salaries, fundraising, management and general expenses. A projected budget for the coming year.

How do I get information on a charity?

You can ensure that a charity is legitimate if it has a formal registration with a legal authorisation body that incorporates its status as a charitable organisation. Some of these bodies include the Registry of Societies, the Registry of Companies and the Commissioner of Charities.

You can also approach the National Council of Social Service (NCSS), the coordinating body for charities in Singapore, for an informed opinion of its member charities.

The Internet is also a great source of information and most charities have websites with information on what programmes they run, how funds are allocated, how they fulfil their mission, etc.

How do I give?

Consider giving to legitimate charities that make it their responsibility to manage your donations well. Such organisations attach a high value of accountability to their donors and will be open regarding the use of funds collected.

Community Chest, for example, publishes its financial statements in its annual report, selected collaterals and provides them to interested donors upon request.

Whether it is Community Chest or other charities that you choose to give to, it is advisable to issue your donations by cheque, not cash. Make certain that your cheque is made payable to the name of the charity and not to an individual.

Besides outright donations, other ways of giving can include purchasing merchandise, donation draw tickets, etc, from established charities for the purpose of fund-raising.

You may also be approached on the streets for outright donations. Charities do depend on such avenues to raise the necessary funds. However, you should not be pressured to give on the spot. If in doubt concerning the legitimacy of the fund-raising activity, you may ask about the fund-raising licence that fund-raisers have to obtain to conduct street solicitations. You may also ask about the benefiting charity.

How will my donations be used to help the needy?

Some questions you should be asking: how much of your donations will be given directly to the beneficiaries? How much will go towards the administrative costs, fund-raising costs and other programmes?

If you donate to Community Chest, all your money goes directly to the social service programmes which benefit the needy. This is possible because Singapore Totalisator Board covers the administrative and fund-raising costs of Community Chest.

With this assurance from Singapore Totalisator Board, Community Chest raises funds for programmes that

Nurture children to succeed
Keep families together
Dignify the lives of the elderly
Help the disabled lead independent lives

Click here to know more about how Community Chest disburses its donations.

5.		Can I give anonymously?
		All charities honour anonymous donations. Specify your desire to remain anonymous, and the charity will respect your request.

Do I obtain tax deductions for my donations?

As a general rule, all outright cash donations given by individuals or corporations to charities with tax-deductible status will be entitled to double tax deductions. Donors are entitled to double tax deductions (twice the donation value) for such donations made on or after 1 Jan 2002. For instance, if you give $100 to a charity, you will be entitled to tax deductions for the amount of $200.

Outright cash donations made to Community Chest are also tax deductible to donors. However, this only applies when your donation doesn't reward you in a material way. For example, purchases of concert or fund-raising dinner tickets do not qualify for tax deductions.

Some charities issue tax-exempt receipts only upon request, or for donations beyond a minimal amount. Hence, as a donor, you may wish to find out before you donate.

If you are an individual donor, you may also wish to note that the Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore (IRAS) now automatically acknowledges the tax-deductible status of your donations if the charity submits your identification number to IRAS on your behalf. This means that you will not need the tax-deductible receipts when submitting your annual tax assessment forms.

For more information on charities and donations, the IRAS's website @ www.iras.gov.sg can provide you with more details.

Is it safe to give to charities online?

It is good to make sure that the charity site has a secure server that uses encryption technology that ensures appropriate security of your personal and payment information.

For example, Community Chest's online donation page which requires credit card information is protected by Secure Socket Layer (SSL). SSL is a technology developed by Netscape and is adopted by all vendors producing related Web software. It works by encrypting all information - scrambling it before the information leaves your computer and unscrambled only when it reaches the charity server.

To verify that the page requesting your credit card information is secure, the letters https:// - rather than http:// - should precede the page's URL and/or there should be an unbroken key or padlock symbol located in the corner of the web browser.

If in doubt, contact the charity by telephone or by email before you provide the information online.

8.		Do I have to make a contribution when I receive direct mail appeals with accompanied "gifts"?
		You need not feel obligated to give when you receive direct mail solicitations that come with greeting cards, stickers, calendars, key rings or other "gifts". Charities do this to increase donations but you don't have to make a contribution to keep the "gifts". It is considered unethical for a charity to demand payment for any unordered merchandise.

9.		If I do not wish to give money, what other ways can I give to charity?
		Many charities benefit enormously from alternative forms of giving. Volunteering your time and skills to help your community can be a rewarding experience. Most charities welcome volunteer help in various ways. NCSS (National Council of Social Service) can help you find ways to give back to your community by volunteering at charities. Call its hotline at 1800-210-2600. You can also support your local charities by offering gifts in kind. These can include merchandise, furniture, office equipment and foodstuff, etc. Other forms of giving can take the form of bequests, charitable annuities and endowments. A legal practitioner should be able to provide you with assistance in setting up such gifts.