Social Enterprises (SE) in Singapore are run as business entities with clear social objectives. Their purpose is to achieve social impacts while generating financial returns for their own. Meanwhile, charitable organisations are non-profitable. Therefore, SEs are not to be mistaken as charitable organisations. 

Most SEs in Singapore are established as a society, cooperative, private limited company, or a company limited by guarantee. These entities provide business solutions to contribute to social causes. They complement the efforts put in by the government to bring positive changes to various aspects of society.

The Singapore Centre for Social Enterprise, raiSE aims to raise awareness on social entrepreneurship and to support new SEs by providing advisory services, training, resources and mentorship. 

To be a full-fledged SE in Singapore, your company needs to be a member of raiSE – which requires an arduous process of filing and administrative work. 

Processes simplified- Forbis professionals are equipped and ever-ready to support your company’s journey to be a SE. 

As Social Enterprises work hand in hand with the government, they are entitled to the following grants: 

• Up to S$100,000 in seed grants under Venture For Good (VFG), by Singapore Centre for Social Enterprise(raiSE)
• Up to S$20,000 grants for expansion to existing social enterprises as early-stage funding for pilot ideas
• Up to S$300,000 for social enterprises that train and employ disadvantaged Singaporeans under the ComCare Enterprise Fund (CEF)
• Up to S$300,000 to new cooperatives under Central Cooperatives Fund

*Only Social Enterprises registered in Singapore are entitled to these grants 

Institutions of a Public Character (IPCs) are exempt/registered charities that are capable of issuing tax-deductible receipts for qualifying donations to donors. Therefore, donors can claim tax relief from their assessable income based on the donated amount, at current deduction rates.

Thus, IPCs appeal more to donors which attracts a greater number of donations. These organisations require a higher standard of regulatory compliance as well as governance. 

Registering your non-profit organisation as an IPC in Singapore can get quite complex and complicated. Hence, don’t fret and leave it to our Forbis professionals to manage the fundamentals.

Chat with us today to discuss how we can be at your service. 

It is mandatory for the organisation to be a registered/exempt charity or other charity that is not required to be registered by virtue of section 5(4) of the Charities Act. 

Additionally, under the Charities Act (Chapter 37, Section 40C), the activities of an IPC must benefit the community in Singapore as a whole, and not confined to the sectional interests of a group of persons based on race, creed, belief or religion, unless otherwise approved by the Minister.

These activities must meet the IPC’s objectives under its governing instruments and the objectives of its Sector Administrator.

The IPC must also be administered by governing board members, at least half of whom are independent and citizens of Singapore.

IPC status requires more administrative upkeep:

• The need for transparency
• Information to be made public and available online 
• Present clear donation records 
• Renew IPC’s auditors at least once every 5 years 

Only registered charities that meet charitable objectives (based on the standard of the Commissioner of Charities) would be able to enjoy tax benefits.

Benefits include:

• Tax Exemptions 
• Greater credibility of NPOs which encourages donations and funding