FAQ

DONATIONS

1. What percentage of my donation goes to the organisations supported by President’s Challenge?
   100% of donations to President's Challenge go towards the supported organisations chosen by the President’s Challenge.
   
   

2. Who covers the operating costs of President's Challenge?
   The operating costs of President’s Challenge are covered by a grant from Singapore Totalisator Board as a community initiative so that every dollar donated to President's Challenge go to the charities we support.
   
   

3. How can I be an anonymous donor?
   Let us know your request to remain anonymous and we will respect your request.
   
   

4. How much tax deductions do I qualify for when I make a donation?
   All outright cash donations given by individuals or corporations to charities with tax-deductible status will be entitled to tax deductions. It was announced in Budget 2023 that the 250% tax deduction for qualifying donations will be extended for another two years till 31 December 2026. For more information on tax deductions, visit www.iras.gov.sg.
   
   

5. Will I receive a tax-deductible receipt for my donation?
   e-Tax Deductible Receipts will be issued upon request. Regardless of your donation amount, we will help to submit your tax deduction to IRAS as long as you provide your Singapore identification number or UEN when donating.
   
   

6. How do I claim for my tax deductions without a tax-deductible receipt?
   If you have provided your identification number when you made a donation to President’s Challenge, we will help you make the submission to IRAS. Hence, you will not need the receipt when submitting your annual tax assessment. If you are an individual donor, IRAS now automatically acknowledges the tax-deductible status of your donations if the charity submits your identification number to IRAS on your behalf.
   
   

7. Will my organisation receive a tax deduction or does each of us get individual tax deductions for our donation?
   If the donation was made on your organisation’s behalf, your company will qualify for tax deduction. Individual donors get the tax deduction if the individual donor’s donation was from a fundraising event or exercise. In such a case, your organisation will only receive a receipt of acknowledgement for the contribution.
   
   

8. Does President’s Challenge sell, rent or trade donor information (eg. mailing and email addresses and phone numbers) to other agencies?
   The privacy of our donors is very important to us, and we do not share or sell this information.
   

FUNDING

1. I work for a charity in Singapore. How can my organisation apply to be a President’s Challenge benefitting organisation?
   To be considered for a nomination as a President’s Challenge benefitting organisation, your organisation must have attained an Institute of Public Character (IPC) status that remains valid in the financial year when the funds are disbursed. You may apply for IPC status at www.charities.gov.sg.
   
   Applications for funding generally open in September for the following year. You can download the application form from our website or contact your respective Sector Administrator for the application details.
   

2. When will I be updated of the application outcome for President's Challenge?
   Agencies will be informed of the application outcome by Feb/Mar via a letter from the President’s Office.
   Agencies will be informed of the range of funds allocated to the programme. The definitive amount is not given as the programmes’ funding is dependent on the funds raised during the year.

3. What happens if we do not fully utilise the funding we are provided with?
   President's Challenge funding must be utilised by the Agencies within the approved utilisation period. If funds are not expended within the specified time frame, NCSS has the sole discretion to grant an extension for the period of fund usage or to claw back the unutilised funds.

4. Are agencies allowed to fundraise for their programmes that are supported by President's Challenge?
   Yes, Agencies can fundraise for any shortfall/components of the programme not covered by President's Challenge.

FUNDRAISING

1. Who manages the President's Challenge?
   The main bodies involved in the organisation and administration of President's Challenge are the President's Office, Ministry of Social and Family Development (MSF) and National Council of Social Service (NCSS). The President's Challenge Secretariat is managed by NCSS and oversees the secretariat duties, fundraising efforts and volunteerism drive under President's Challenge.
   
   

2. I am keen to fundraise for President's Challenge. Can you share some ideas?
   Thank you for your interest to raise funds for President's Challenge. Here are some ideas for you to consider but if you want to know more, drop us a note here

   • Auction

   • Bake sale or jumble sale

   • Entertainment e.g. concert, play, movie screening

   • Sports e.g. charity walk, marathon, yoga

   • Fun fair

   • Party e.g. charity lunch, dinner, tea party

   • Raffle

3. What should I do if I wish to conduct a public fundraising event to raise funds for President's Challenge?
   A House to House and Street Collections licence is required if you are organising a fundraising event or activity that appeals for donations from the public. To apply for the licence, please visit the Singapore Police Force website at www.police.gov.sg.