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1. Micro giving and volunteering are positively correlated to other giving behaviours
Micro givers tend to engage in more ways of giving (an average of 2.5 types) compared to non-micro givers (1.3 types).
Current volunteers are about twice as likely to be mindful consumers as well as advocate for a cause, compared to non-volunteers.
2. Singaporeans have a willing heart and a pragmatic mind
When asked about their attitudes towards giving, Singaporeans displayed a strong intention to donate (nine in ten) and volunteer (seven in ten).
Yet respondents were also pragmatic, rating family commitments, good health and financial security as their top-most life priorities, with contributing to society coming in at 14th place.
3. Lack of trust – a hindrance to a Smart (Giving) Nation
Despite the ubiquity of digital services and platforms in Singapore, most Singaporeans have only used offline modes to donate (77%) and register for volunteering opportunities (63%).
Some of the biggest barriers around giving via digital platforms are a perceived scepticism toward online calls for donations (43%) and volunteers (18%), followed by a lack of trust in providing online channels with personal data when it comes to donating (36%) and volunteering (17%).
4. Working adults – an untapped pool of potential volunteers
Interest to volunteer exceeds available opportunities in the workplace. While 58% of all working adults were keen to volunteer, only 33% said their employers had organised volunteering activities in the past 12 months.
5. Former volunteers – a series of mismatched priorities
Over half (53%) of former volunteers indicated that their volunteering experience had not met expectations, with the most commonly cited reasons being a lack of flexibility (28%) and a perception that the activity created little impact or meaning (25%).
Many individuals who had stopped volunteering further identified school and work (44%), leisure and learning new skills (37%) as well as family (33%) as key priorities, which resulted in less time for volunteering opportunities.