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The National Volunteer and Philanthropy Centre (NVPC) held the City of Good Forum 2026 on 31 March 2026, convening over 600 leaders and changemakers from the people, private, and public sectors. Designed to shape plans, the forum catalysed meaningful conversations, connections, and collaborations across sectors.
Anchored by the theme “Shared Spirit, Collective Impact,” City of Good Forum 2026 served as an action‑oriented complement to the biennial City of Good Summit, translating ideas into collaborative action.
In his welcome address, Mr Seah Chin Siong, NVPC Chairman, reaffirmed NVPC’s commitment to nurturing the Heart of Singapore by embedding giving and a “We First” mindset into the nation’s identity. He emphasised that building a caring and resilient society requires collective action across individuals, communities, and organisations, working beyond silos. He concluded by urging partners to connect, collaborate, and put the common good first in shaping a City of Good together.
In his keynote speech, Minister of State Dinesh Vasu Dash commended leaders, volunteers and partners in Singapore’s giving sector for their dedication to building a more caring and generous society. This deeply reflected the “We First” vision where people put others before themselves and work together for the common good. He emphasised that in an increasingly uncertain global environment marked by conflict and rapid technological change, a strong society depends not only on economic strength but also on social capital—trust, mutual support and shared responsibility.
Citing insights from the National Giving Study 2025 which was launched at the Forum, MOS Dinesh highlighted that giving is shaped by supportive families, workplaces and communities, and by the realities of daily life, underscoring the need to make volunteering and giving more flexible and accessible. He outlined how government initiatives, cross-sector partnerships and the new SG Partnerships Fund aim to create enabling environments for citizen-led action, with the ultimate goal of making giving a natural part of everyday life through acts of service, sharing skills, resources and kindness.
Mr Tony Soh, CEO of NVPC, shared the organisation’s key initiatives for the year ahead, aimed at strengthening Singapore’s giving ecosystem. In advancing digital giving, NVPC is leveraging technology to enable giving at scale by meeting people where they are.
Enhancements to giving.sg will support micro‑giving, empower companies and institutes of higher learning to activate givers en masse. and allow charities to integrate their donation and volunteer management processes more seamlessly. As Company of Good marks its 10th anniversary, Mr Soh urged corporates to Show Your Mark by publicly displaying the COG recognition mark, and to Make Your Mark by leveraging their assets, resources and networks to drive sustained impact.
For charities and non‑profits, NVPC is strengthening capabilities through Impact Measurement workshops, enhanced digital fundraising support, a refreshed Professional Certificate in Fundraising developed with the Singapore University of Social Sciences (SUSS), and improved board governance via CNPL BoardPulse2.0. Looking to the next generation of givers, NVPC is deepening partnerships with schools and institutes of higher learning and will be launching its inaugural Youth Impact Summit, Impact IRL, to inspire young changemakers to contribute meaningfully to society.
The panel discussion brought together leaders from research, the corporate and social sector to explore how partnerships and volunteerism can strengthen Singapore’s social compact. Moderated by Dr Mathew Mathews of the Institute of Policy Studies, the conversation drew on findings from the National Giving Study to examine how giving behaviours shape social cohesion.
A key insight from the study is the link between volunteerism and stronger, more diverse social networks. Dr Ma Sirui highlighted that volunteering is associated with broader social connectedness and emphasised the need to intentionally design volunteer opportunities that promote social mixing and inclusivity. Making access to volunteering more equitable, she argued, is not just about service delivery, but about who gets the opportunity to build social capital.
From a corporate perspective, Natalie Craig, Chief Executive of Cushman & Wakefield Singapore, shared how volunteerism helped rebuild teamwork and collaboration in the post pandemic workplace. By designing inclusive opportunities that cut across hierarchy and skill sets, the company fostered stronger relationships while reinforcing a sense of shared purpose. Leadership role modelling and flexibility—such as family friendly volunteering—were highlighted as key enablers.
Benjamin William, Secretary General and CEO of the Singapore Red Cross noted that sustained team-based volunteerism is effective in building trust and social capital. He also underscored the importance of charities investing in volunteers through training and leadership pathways, reframing volunteerism as a two-way commitment.
The discussion also explored the role of peer influence and role models across different life stages, from schools to the workplace, as well as addressing limiting beliefs that prevent people from volunteering. Panellists agreed that clear communication, relatable examples and partnerships grounded in mutual value are critical.
Ultimately, the panel concluded that successful partnerships are those that are purpose driven, inclusive and sustainable—anchored not in transactions, but in a shared commitment to “we before me.”
The event culminated in a Project V appreciation ceremony. Project V is a joint initiative by NVPC and the National Council of Social Service to facilitate regular, structured corporate volunteering. 20 partnerships – involving 19 corporates and 15 community partners were recognised for their efforts to build a sustainable volunteer culture and strengthen partnerships.
Returning for its fourth edition, State of Play took on a vibrant, trade fair‑style format, bringing together community partners spanning a wide range of causes — including children, community development, education, the arts, sports and heritage. The event provided corporates with a valuable platform to engage directly with ground organisations, gain deeper insight into pressing community needs, and explore opportunities for meaningful, long‑term partnerships.
This year’s edition featured 40 booths and welcomed 392 visitors, resulting in over 390 meaningful connections made.
Watch highlights of the day here: