Applying for Foreign Fund Raising Permit?
Click HERE to apply for Foreign Fund Raising Permit.
When do I need a fund-raising permit for foreign charitable causes?
Any person who wishes to conduct or participate in any fund-raising appeal for any foreign charitable purposes must apply to the office of the Commissioner of Charities for a permit.
When must I apply for the permit?
The application should be submitted not less than 30 days before the date on which the fund-raising appeal commences.
Are foreign fund-raising permits granted to individuals?
The applicant must be an organisation (corporate or unincorporated) in Singapore. The permit will not be granted to an individual person.
What other documents do I need to submit with the application?
The following attachments are required with the completed application form:
- Proof that the beneficiary is a bona fide organisation in its country;
- Letter from beneficiary acknowledging the fund-raising activity held in its name;
- Constitution of the charity, intended beneficiaries of the relief fund (where applicable); and
- Information on the estimated expenses (in detailed breakdown) to be deducted from fund raised.
Are there any restrictions to the use of the funds raised through such appeals?
If the funds are raised from the public, the applicant has to apply at least 80% of the net proceeds of the funds raised within Singapore. This 80:20 rule will be waived for private donations or for appeals to aid major disaster relief. The Commissioner of Charities has the discretion to allow a lower percentage to be applied within Singapore. The fund-raising appeal expenses should not exceed 30% of the total funds raised.
What records must be maintained for such fund-raising appeals?
Every permit-holder must maintain proper record and accounts in respect of the fund-raising appeal as follows;
- Names of the authorised persons who participated in the appeal;
- Dates on which the appeal commenced and concluded;
- Gross amount received from the appeal;
- Amount of every item of expenditure disbursed from the funds raised;
- The amount of net proceeds applied to the foreign charitable purpose for which the appeal was conducted and the means by which it was distributed; and
- The amount transmitted to any person outside Singapore and to whom the money was transmitted.
The permit-holder must also ensure that all payments out of the funds raised are made with due care and the payment properly authorised.
Must the Statement of Accounts for foreign fund-raising appeals be audited?
Yes. The Statement of Accounts of the fund-raising appeal must be audited by an auditor approved by the Commissioner of Charities. The audited Statement of Accounts must be submitted to the Commissioner of Charities within 60 days of the last day of the appeal or within such extended period as may be allowed by the Commissioner of Charities.
Online Application for Foreign Fundraising Permit
Application for Foreign Fundraising Permit >> Click Here
