\n<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, migrant worker charity ItsRainingRaincoats said item donations are down 20 per cent compared with last year, and is calling for more contributions.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The non-profit is also hoping to raise S$30,000 (US$23,000) to buy Christmas gifts for about 50,000 workers, but has raised only a third of that amount so far.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cTo spread the money to reach more workers, we may end up buying something small, like just Tiger Balm \u2026 or 2 litre water bottles, which workers find very useful. That’s usually about S$6 or S$7 apiece,\u201d said the charity\u2019s founder Dipa Swaminathan.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Children\u2019s charity Make-A-Wish Singapore has also seen fundraising fall to its lowest level since the COVID-19 pandemic.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The organisation fulfils wishes for children aged three to 18 with critical illnesses, ranging from family holidays after medical treatment to specialised equipment such as motorised wheelchairs.<\/p>\n
It said corporate donations have declined by 40 per cent year-on-year, and the charity has raised only half of its S$350,000 target during the festive period.\u00a0<\/p>\n
“One of the biggest concerns that we have is also the rising cost of almost everything,\u201d said the foundation\u2019s CEO Aarthi Sankar.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cA (specialised) wheelchair that previously cost us maybe about S$15,000 to S$20,000 is starting to creep into the S$20,000 to S$25,000 figure. So, we are generally quite concerned.”<\/p>\n
The organisation said it is exploring new grant opportunities and fundraising events to support future efforts.<\/p>\n
Despite the year-end slowdown for some charities, overall giving in Singapore has increased.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Singaporeans made 11 per cent more donations in the first nine months of the year compared with the same period in 2024, according to the Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth (MCCY).\u00a0<\/p>\n
More than 280,000 recurring and one-time donations were made through Community Chest and Giving.sg in conjunction with SG60 initiatives.\u00a0<\/p>\n
MCCY also highlighted efforts by both the public and private sectors.<\/p>\n
The SG60 Solidarity Walk, for instance, raised nearly S$3 million for lower-income union members, platform workers, caregivers and their families.<\/p>\n
Mediacorp\u2019s volunteer campaign also mobilised Singaporeans to support the elderly and underprivileged, among others.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n