Tote Board and NVPC Collaborate to Enhance Non-Profit Organisations’ Impact Measurement

SINGAPORE, 15 AUG 2025 – In an effort to raise the impact measurement and reporting capabilities of the non-profit sector, the National Volunteer and Philanthropy Centre (NVPC), in partnership with Tote Board, launched a guidebook titled ‘Guide to Impact Measurement – From Intent to Impact for Non-Profits’ today. Around 280 leaders, including sector administrators, funders, and representatives from over 100 non-profit organisations (NPOs), attended the event, with Mr Dinesh Vasu Dash, Minister of State, Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth & Ministry of Manpower, as the Guest-of-Honour.

2. Following the launch of the Guide, NVPC will scale up NPOs’ access to impact measurement knowledge and skills by organising workshops and peer-learning platforms.

Launch of the Guide to Impact Measurement
3. Within the non-profit sector, the number of registered charities in Singapore has been growing steadily. Notably, between 2013 and 2023, registered charities increased by more than 250, reaching nearly 2,400. The expansion is further evidenced by the sector’s total receipts, which rose from $13.9 billion in 2013 to $22.17 billion[1] in 2023.

4. As the number of NPOs—which includes charities—continues to grow, robust and accessible impact measurement becomes increasingly important for them to demonstrate accountability, build trust with donors and supporters, and focus their efforts on achieving meaningful outcomes. Tote Board first established an impact measurement framework in 2022 to guide NPOs applying for its grants, recognising the importance of tracking outcomes effectively.

5. Recognising that not all NPOs have the resources to develop such capabilities independently, Tote Board partnered with NVPC to adapt the framework into a guide that non-profits can use to more effectively articulate their impact. The ‘Guide to Impact Measurement- From Intent to Impact for Non-Profits’ does this by structuring the framework into four easy-to-understand phases: Prepare, Plan, Implementand Learn. These phases build on the existing knowledge from Tote Board’s framework, and incorporate additional concepts and processes—such as Theory of Change, stakeholder engagement, data analysis and outcome reporting. The intention is to provide practical, accessible and scalable impact measurement knowledge and tools to non-profit organisations across the sector.

6.  The Guide was developed in consultation with 36 charities, 7 sector administrators and 7 grant makers. It draws on insights gathered from a year of workshops, fireside chats, and deep-dive sessions with charities across Singapore. This will provide step-by-step guidance for NPOs to implement and sustain effective impact measurement practices in their organisations. It can also be used by funders and grant makers as a reference point in engaging NPOs. The Guide to Impact Measurement – From Intent to Impact for Non-Profits is available for free download at https://nvpc.org.sg/cnpl/impact-measurement/.

7.  The activities conducted in Phase 1 were as follows:

• Workshops: Three Impact Measurement Workshops equipped 280 participants from 114 charities with foundational knowledge on the “whys,” “whats,” and “hows” of impact measurement.
• Deep-Dive Clinics: 20 selected charities received one-on-one consultancy support to refine their Theory of Change (ToC) and address specific challenges.
• Guidebook Development: The Guide was developed in consultation with 36 charities, 7 sector administrators and 7 grant makers through four focus group discussions. Insights from the workshops and clinics were incorporated to ensure their relevance and practicality.
• See Annex A for selected charities from Phase 1 which are available for media interviews.

8. Mr Tony Soh, CEO of NVPC, said, ” Impact measurement is not just about numbers—it’s about understanding how we uplift lives and strengthen communities. At NVPC, we believe that when non-profit organisations can clearly articulate their impact, they build greater trust with their stakeholders and unlock more opportunities to serve. This Guide is part of our commitment to help the sector deepen its critical capabilities, so that doing good is not just pervasive, but also effective and lasting.”

9. Mr Tan Choon Shian, Chief Executive of Tote Board, said, “We are strengthening our focus on impact measurement to ensure that every grant drives meaningful and measurable change. Through this partnership with NVPC, we equip our non-profit partners with practical tools to assess outcomes more effectively—so that resources are channelled towards what truly works. This is what Better Everyday by Tote Board, our grantmaking brand, stands for – an issue-based, evidence-driven and outcome-focused approach to enable transformative outcomes for our communities.”
Commencement of Phase 2 of Impact Measurement Empowerment

10. Following the launch of the Guide, NVPC has commenced the next phase of the Impact Measurement Programme. The Impact Measurement Programme is part of NVPC’s efforts to bring together stakeholders from across the ecosystem and strengthen the capabilities of the non-profit sector. It aims to empower more NPOs to integrate meaningful impact measurement in their programme design through a series of engagements that provide practical tools, guidance, and a common framework to design, measure, and communicate their impact effectively. In consultation with sector stakeholders, including funders and grantmakers, NVPC will continue to co-develop sector-wide best practices and facilitate knowledge-sharing opportunities to support NPOs in their impact journeys.

11. Beyond strengthening individual NPOs, Phase 2 of the Impact Measurement Programme will also contribute to NVPC’s broader sector development efforts, including the work of the Centre for Non-Profit Leadership (CNPL) in promoting effective governance and impact-focused boards, and giving.sg’s ongoing evolution to help donors make more informed giving decisions.

12. Mr Phua Wee Seng, Executive Director & Chief Rare Advocate at Rare Disorders Society Singapore, said, “The Impact Measurement Programme has given us practical tools and frameworks to better understand and demonstrate the difference our work makes. It has helped us move beyond just reporting activities, to focusing on real outcomes for our beneficiaries. As more charities adopt these practices, it will raise the overall effectiveness and accountability of the sector, allowing us to better serve our communities and build stronger relationships with our donors.”

13. Ms Shibani Pandya, Impact Evaluation Specialist, Pro Bono SG, said, “We appreciated the opportunity to be a development partner in this joint initiative with NVPC and Tote Board to create impact measurement resources for the sector. The NVPC Impact Measurement workshop provided valuable insights on how we can ensure our services truly reach those who need our assistance, and in turn, create meaningful change in their lives. In particular, the session on data collection methodologies offered practical guidance on how we can refine our evaluation processes as we work towards serving a more diverse client base. Our experience reinforced our belief that a data-driven approach to measuring impact is essential, and we hope more non-profits will embrace this methodology to enhance their service to the community.”