FUNDING 101

1. Grants

 

While they may be a relatively short-term solution, grants are one of the most accessible methods for receiving funding. The OurSG Grants portal is a useful resource if you’re searching for consolidated information on government grants for local initiatives. Do take note of each grant’s specific requirements, though — some of them do require applicants to be part of, or fundraising for, a registered charity.

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If you’re searching for seed funding in addition to skill development, opportunities such as YMCA’s Youth For Causes Programme or NYC’s Youth Action Challenge can be a great place to start. Read up on each programme’s timeline and objectives to determine what would be suitable for your team! Both of these programmes have a set list of causes for you to choose from, which may serve as a good starting point if you’re looking to start a new project, but are uncertain about your target beneficiary. But for established projects, it’s crucial to keep in mind that you should never force-fit your project’s aims so that they align with these programmes’ objectives. At the end of the day, what matters most is what you set out to do and whether your initiatives can genuinely impact the beneficiaries you intend to serve.

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Those interested in starting long-term projects might want to look into membership with BAGUS Together or the Youth Corps Affiliate Scheme. Both programmes provide invaluable training sessions and networking opportunities to support fledgling ground-ups. It is common for newly-established projects to face difficulties in finding their footing and gaining legitimacy; joining such programmes overcomes this problem, while simultaneously providing access to funding, mentorship or venues for rental.
 

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2. Fundraisers

 

This is another popular avenue — it’s definitely worth considering if you’re in a school-based project, and are helping to fundraise for a partner organisation. Otherwise, do keep in mind that without the ability to conduct outreach in your school, your project’s ability to reach out to a wide audience may be negatively impacted. Your fundraiser’s success may also be limited as non-registered projects will inevitably lack credibility in the public’s eyes, reducing people’s willingness to donate.

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If you’re going ahead with a fundraiser, some common items sold would be project merchandise, baked goods or trinkets like stickers and keychains. Do take some time to consider the target audience of your fundraiser, and figure out what goods would be the most appealing to them!

 

One final thing to remember — always put yourselves in your buyers’ shoes. Staying communicative will always give them a better experience! You can achieve this by providing an estimate of when their items will arrive, if possible; otherwise, be transparent if you face any major delays.
 

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3. Street Collections

For youth-run projects, street collections will only be legal if you are raising funds for a partner organisation. You may refer to the MCCY’s notice for more information on the full requirements and how you can obtain a permit.

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In our experience, it’s best to avoid MRTs (most people will be in a hurry to reach their destination) and touristy areas (some people won’t be able to speak English, and others might prioritise enjoying their holiday over listening to what you have to say). We found that small groups of teenagers or young children with their families are a good target audience as they’re most likely to be willing to listen to you.

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We’d also recommend mentioning the organisation you’re fundraising for in the first few lines to avoid coming across as a scammer. Wear the organisation’s official shirt if you have one; otherwise, we feel the second best option is a school shirt.

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In general, a certain amount of shamelessness is definitely needed to conduct street collections. Don’t be put off by those who behave rudely or cut you off, as you will most likely experience a record-breaking number of rejections in just one day. Move around in small groups with friends so you can all keep each other motivated!

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Conclusion

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While this isn’t a specific resource, connecting with fellow youth projects and larger organisations can be significant. Collaborations within your networks can allow both parties to tap into their unique resources and audiences. In the long run, this fosters mutual benefits and strengthens the volunteering ecosystem.

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We hope the tips outlined here will be useful for you! Feel free to reach out to us via email if you would like to chat further, and do fill in our feedback form to let us know what other topics you’d like us to cover. Thanks for reading :)