In fact, RP has been a partner of Community Chest’s SHARE programme since 2014, which saw an average participation rate of 74 per cent among its staff members every year.
When Covid-19 struck, Ms Tan and her team rallied fellow colleagues to do more for those who were affected socially and financially. “We encouraged staff members who had yet to come onboard to donate voluntarily, helping them understand the impact of their contribution. The overall participation for SHARE increased to almost 100 per cent in 2020 – a record high for us,” she shares.
This noteworthy accomplishment enabled RP to receive the SHARE Achiever Award last year.
With SHARE, the impact of individual donations can be multiplied through the SHARE As One (SAO) initiative. Launched in 2016, the government provides dollar-matching for any new donations over and above what was made in the preceding year, up to Financial Year 2023, to encourage Singaporeans to contribute to building a culture of sustained giving.
To enable a more substantial amount to be contributed monthly, organisations are also encouraged to provide dollar-matching for employees’ donations.
SHARE As One also enables companies to claim a portion of the SAO matching grant for their own corporate social responsibility initiatives such as volunteering activities, which can further the companies’ support of social service agencies under Community Chest.
The institution also supports fund-raising events by Community Chest, such as the Heartstrings Walk 2021, promoting them on its internal communication channels including the monthly staff e-newsletter.
Says Ms Tan: “The feedback we received from staff members who attended these activities together has been very positive. They’ve expressed interest in continuing to do so, adding that such meaningful activities helped them build a bond among themselves.”
She believes that a strong culture of giving within an organisation is crucial in promoting active volunteerism, resulting in beneficial experiences for staff members involved.
“Staff members can expand their social network and get to know others who share similar interests. In addition, they feel proud to be part of an organisation that cares. Together, we can help build a better place for all to live in and improve the well-being of people in our community,” she says.
