Debated in Parliament on 7 May 2024.
Ms Usha Chandradas asked the Minister for Culture, Community and Youth (a) what is the basis for Cultural Matching Fund (CMF) incentives being applied only to donations made to registered charities and Institutions of Public Character (IPCs); and (b) whether the Ministry will consider applying matching incentives similar to the CMF, to the earned income of registered charities and IPCs derived from the supply of goods or services by such entities.
Ms Usha Chandradas asked the Minister for Culture, Community and Youth what is the basis for disallowing Cultural Matching Fund grants from being applied to (i) staff bonuses and welfare benefits (including overseas travel costs) and (ii) legal expenses incurred by registered arts and heritage charities and Institutions of Public Character.
The Cultural Matching Fund (CMF) provides dollar-for-dollar matching grants for private cash donations to registered charities in the arts and heritage sector. It aims to encourage philanthropic giving to our arts and heritage sector. This is to create a more sustainable arts and heritage scene and one in which more people in Singapore have a stake.
Registered charities and Institutions of Public Character (IPCs) are held to high standards of governance, including the transparency and accountability of their fund utilisation. They ensure the proper use of public funds, which engenders trust, confidence and support from the public and donors. This is why the CMF is targeted specifically at donations towards charities and IPCs in the arts and heritage sector.
CMF matching grants support items which contribute directly to the delivery and impact of programmes by arts and heritage charities and IPCs. Expenses which do not, such as legal fees, staff bonuses and welfare benefits, are not supported by CMF. These guidelines apply to the matching grants paid out by CMF and not to the donations raised by the arts and heritage charities and IPCs.
The CMF is part of a broader suite of Government schemes that support the arts and heritage. Examples of other Government schemes include the National Arts Council’s Presentation and Participation Grant, Creation Grant, Production Grant and Sector Transformation Fund; and the National Heritage Board's Organisation Transformation Grant and Major and Minor Project Grants. Collectively, they provide diverse and holistic support for the arts and heritage sector.
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