The Commissioner of Charities (COC) and the Charity Council co-organized the eighth run of the ‘In Conversation with the COC’ series on 17 April 2025. This series serves as a platform for charities to glean insights on effective governance and management practices from both industry experts and fellow charities.
Together with Pro Bono SG (PBSG) and the National Volunteer & Philanthropy Centre (NVPC), this event was conducted in a hybrid format and was attended by about 950 charity representatives. Please click
here for the full event recording.
Keynote Address by Mr Desmond Chin, Commissioner of Charities
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The session began with a Keynote Address by Commissioner who acknowledged the vital role charities play in building a stronger, more compassionate society.
Key Highlights from 2024
He highlighted the various key initiatives launched in 2024 which included:
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Enterprise Risk Management Toolkit, developed with KPMG and the Singapore Institute of Technology, to help charities manage risks.
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ESG Playbook co-developed with KPMG, to guide charities in integrating environmental, social, and governance principles into their operations.
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In the area of anti-money laundering and countering the financing of terrorism (AML/CFT), the COC’s office conducted training sessions, developed a guidance template, and collaborated with the Institute of Singapore Chartered Accountants and Temasek Trust Foundation Advisors to offer name screening services to support charities in their due diligence process.
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A ‘Charities Life Cycle Survey’, conducted with Ernst & Young, gathered insights from over 400 charities, identifying areas where more targeted support is needed
Challenges Faced by Charities
Commissioner then spoke on five crucial realities shaping the future of the charity sector in Singapore:
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Public trust is everything; we must strive to uphold it.
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Fundraising is getting tougher; diversification is the way forward.
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Digital transformation is no longer optional; it is essential.
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Social needs of Singapore are evolving; our charities must adapt to stay relevant.
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Sustainability goes beyond just funding; it’s also about organisational resilience and being future-ready.
Plans for 2025
Commissioner announced three focus areas in 2025.
• The first is the launch of the “GovernWell: Excellence in Charity Leadership” pilot training programme. Developed with five partners, this structured training aims to equip charity leaders with skills in ethics, financial stewardship, governance, and impact measurement. The programme will be subsidised through the Charities Capability Fund.
• The second focus area is the development of a new Evaluation Framework for transparency and governance, in collaboration with the Singapore University of Social Sciences.
• Lastly, the pilot launch of a Charity Conciliation Service, in partnership with Pro Bono SG. This service aims to help smaller charities resolve disputes through mediation, avoiding costly legal proceedings
In closing, Commissioner thanked all partners and charities for their hard work and shared four limericks to highlight the main messages of his address.
Please refer to his full speech here.
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Govern Well: Excellence in Charity Leadership Programme - Sharing by Training Partners
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Following the Commissioner’s keynote address, the four training partners presented an overview of their respective training modules. Information booths were also set up to allow attendees to learn more about the courses.
You can access more information about the GovernWell: Excellence in Charity Leadership Programme through this link.
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Panel Discussion
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After the presentations, the event continued with an engaging Panel discussion, where participants had the opportunity to provide feedback, pose questions, and interact directly with the speakers.
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The Panel consisted of :
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Associate Professor Lim Lee Ching - MODERATOR
- Mr Desmond Chin – Commissioner of Charities
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Ms Theresa Goh – Chairperson, Charity Council
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Mr Tony Soh, CEO- National Volunteer & Philanthropy Centre
Conclusion
This event brought together charity leaders and partners to reflect on past achievements, address current challenges, and explore future opportunities. Through the keynote speech, training presentations, and panel discussion, participants gained valuable insights and practical strategies to strengthen their organisations.
The Office of the Commissioner of Charities and the Charity Council remain committed to supporting charities in their journey. Together, we can continue to build a strong, well-governed, and impactful charity sector that serves our communities effectively.
The presentation slides are available for download via the links below:-
List of resources available:
The event is recorded and uploaded on the Charity Portal.
For more videos from Charity Council events and initiatives, please subscribe to the Charity Council's
YouTube Channel.
