The biennial Individual Giving Study (IGS) looks at volunteerism, philanthropy and other giving behaviours at the national level in Singapore.
Key findings
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.
