The National Volunteer & Philanthropy Centre [1] (NVPC) in Singapore aims to be a first-stop centre, catalyst and networking agency to foster volunteerism. It leads initiatives to fill gaps in volunteerism, philanthropy and capacity building, as well as creates opportunities for partners to work together to bring about significant changes.
In the pursuit of these innovative and impactful aims, the NVPC fosters collaboration in the sincere belief that through partnerships, new initiatives and programs better implemented and efficiently supervised.
It runs innovative services to accomplish just that.
eMatch [2] is a free online database that matches donors, philanthropists, volunteers and like-minded individuals to their preferred interests or cause. Similar to the classified ads section of a newspaper, eMatch also functions as a marketing vehicle for organizations to market their services and goods, making them available to purchase by interested buyers. Users can browse the service to search for volunteer opportunities, donation requests or organizations in need of funds or resources and purchase goods and services direct from organizations to support their cause. NVPC says the service is an invaluable tool to help people better target where to give time, talent and resources.
To build capacity in the non-profit sector, NVPC has the Board Match [3] service, which matches individuals committed to the idea of strengthening non-profit boards with the relevant charitable and non-profit organizations in Singapore.
The NVPC also runs the NPO (Non-Profit Organization) Directory [4]. It is a centralized database of financial and non-financial information on secular non-profit organizations for interested donors and members of the public. The NPO directory is a first-stop online service to inform members of the public of the various secular causes they can support, as well as information on the organizations that are promoting these causes. It is also an information tool for individuals and organizations looking to contribute in meaningful ways to the community.
Another reality that NVPC seeks to address is that not all projects require longtime commitments, and not all willing volunteers have the time to be involved. For caring but busy people in Singapore, NVPC launched Singapore Cares [5] (SG Cares), an initiative launched in collaboration with NVPC partners. It is a new, easy way to volunteer. SG Cares structures episodic volunteer projects and posts them onto a real time online portal for individuals to sign up for flexible and meaningful volunteer opportunities that do not require ongoing commitment to a fixed schedule. The portal also facilitates the information flow of volunteering opportunities and allows volunteers to find and sign up for the projects that best suit their time, interest, skill and location. The latest opportunities posted onsite include Foster Parents Training Workshops, Day Rehabilitation (which provides therapy and integration for people with physical disabilities, and Bingo with the Elderly at the Geylang Polyclinic.
Through services like eMatch, Board Match, the NPO Directory and SG Cares, the NVPC proves that no matter one’s inclination or availability, volunteer opportunities are available as long as there is a willingness to participate.
Back to APPC Post 47 [5]