October 4, 2016

‘Contributions to Charitable Organisations in a Developing Country: The Case of Singapore’ (International Journal of Social Economics, 1998) by Dr Chung Ming Wong, former faculty member at the Department of Economics, Dr Vincent C.H. Chua, Assistant Professor at the Department of Sociology, and Dr S. Vasoo, Associate Professor at the Department of Social Work, investigates the demand for donations to charitable organisations in Singapore.

The study finds that the price of giving as well as the size and age of the organisation influences a donor’s decision to donate. There is also evidence to indicate that government expenditures on social services tend to deter private donations. Hence, in order to encourage private giving, tax deductions for charitable contributions have been implemented and more reliance is placed onto community organisations and voluntary bodies in caring for the needy. The results show that donors are more responsive as the price of giving is reduced and competition among member charities are more balanced when placed under a united charity organisation such as the Community Chest of Singapore as fundraising costs are economised.

To read the full article, click here.