Budget 2026 for NGOs: The $50M Fund Nobody's Talking About
Buried 80 minutes into PM Wong's budget speech is a fund that could transform how Singapore's social sector operates. The $50 million SG Partnerships Fund replaces the Our Singapore Fund with something dramatically bigger—up to $1 million per project, multi-year timelines, and differentiated funding tiers. If you run an NGO, charity, or social enterprise, this is the most important announcement in Budget 2026.
Budget 2026 Guide Series
This article is part of our comprehensive Budget 2026 analysis. Explore guides tailored to your demographic or sector:
Overview
Demographics
Property
The Key Numbers
| What | Details | Impact |
|---|---|---|
| SG Partnerships Fund | $50 million total | Replaces Our Singapore Fund with larger scope |
| Max grant per project | Up to $1 million | 10x larger than typical OSF grants |
| Funding tiers | Differentiated by project size | Small groundup AND large multi-year projects |
| Donation tax deduction | 250% extended to 2029 | Your donors save more on taxes |
| Corporate volunteer scheme | 250% deduction extended to 2029 | Companies get tax breaks for lending you staff |
| Long-Term Care Support Fund | $400M top-up | For eldercare-focused organisations |
SG Partnerships Fund: What's New
The Our Singapore Fund capped at relatively small grants for groundup initiatives. The new SG Partnerships Fund is fundamentally different:
- Grants up to $1 million for larger multi-year projects (the OSF typically funded at $20k-$50k levels)
- Differentiated funding tiers—small community projects still qualify, but larger-scale social innovations can now get serious funding
- Multi-year timelines—no more annual grant cycles forcing you to restart applications every 12 months
- $50 million total pool—significantly larger than the OSF's allocation
What this actually means: If you've been running a social enterprise on shoestring grants, patching together funding from multiple small sources, this is a game changer. A $500k-$1M multi-year grant allows you to hire properly, build infrastructure, and plan beyond the next quarter.
250% Donation Tax Deduction: Extended to 2029
For your donors, the 250% tax deduction for donations to IPCs (Institutions of a Public Character) is extended through 2029. This means every $100 donated generates $250 in tax deductions.
What this actually means for your fundraising: When approaching high-income donors, lead with the tax benefit. A donor in the 22% tax bracket saves $55 for every $100 donated. That makes a $10,000 donation effectively cost $4,500. This is your pitch to high-income professionals looking for tax optimisation.
Corporate Volunteer Scheme: Free Skilled Labour
The corporate volunteer scheme (250% tax deduction for companies that lend staff to charities) is also extended to 2029. Companies get a tax deduction for paying their employees' salaries while those employees volunteer at your organisation.
What this actually means: You can approach companies and say: "Lend us your marketing manager for 3 months. You keep paying their salary. You get 250% tax deduction on those costs." The company saves on taxes, you get skilled professional help, the employee gets meaningful work. Everyone wins.
$400M Long-Term Care Support Fund
If your NGO or social enterprise works in eldercare, this is substantial. The Long-Term Care Support Fund gets a $400 million top-up to subsidise CareShield Life premiums and support long-term care services.
Combined with enhanced CareShield Life payouts and the push for community-based care facilities, eldercare organisations are positioned for growth. The government is acknowledging that an ageing population needs more care infrastructure. For more on senior-focused changes, see our seniors guide.
Persons with Disabilities: Expanding Capacity
The budget announces a task force on persons with disabilities focused on expanding community-based facilities and support. If your organisation serves this population, expect increased government attention and potentially new funding streams.
Youth Panels: New Round Launching
PM Wong announced a new round of youth panels—forums where young Singaporeans contribute to policy discussions. For youth-focused NGOs, these panels are opportunities to amplify your beneficiaries' voices and connect with government priorities.
COML Link Plus: Enhanced Support for Families
The ComLink+ (COML Link Plus) programme is being enhanced with progress packages of up to $10,000/year per family for meeting personal development goals. Organisations working with lower-income families can leverage this as a framework for their programmes—aligning your services with government-funded outcome targets.
How to Position Your Organisation
- Apply for SG Partnerships Fund early. The $50M fund will be competitive. Get your multi-year project proposal ready now
- Update your IPC status if you haven't already. The 250% deduction only benefits donors giving to registered IPCs
- Build corporate partnerships using the volunteer scheme as a hook. Present the tax deduction numbers to CFOs
- Align with government priorities: AI adoption, eldercare, disability support, youth engagement, and climate sustainability are where the money flows
- Track Budget 2026 implementation through MOF and MCCY announcements for application timelines
Read More Budget 2026 Guides
- Budget 2026: Top 10 Things You Need to Know
- Budget 2026 for Young Families
- Budget 2026 for Creatives, Sports & Community
- Budget 2026 for Seniors & Retirees
- Budget 2026 for High-Income Earners
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the SG Partnerships Fund in Budget 2026?
A $50 million fund replacing the Our Singapore Fund, offering grants up to $1 million for multi-year community and social projects. It features differentiated funding tiers to support both small groundup initiatives and larger-scale social innovations.
How much can an NGO get from the SG Partnerships Fund?
Projects can receive up to $1 million with multi-year timelines. The fund has differentiated tiers—smaller community projects can still apply for modest grants, while established organisations can access significantly larger funding.
How does the 250% donation tax deduction work for charities?
Donors to registered IPCs (Institutions of a Public Character) receive a 250% tax deduction—meaning every $100 donated generates $250 in tax deductions. This incentive has been extended through 2029, making it a powerful fundraising tool.
What is the corporate volunteer scheme tax deduction?
Companies that lend employees to charities while continuing to pay their salaries receive a 250% tax deduction on those salary costs. Extended to 2029, this allows NGOs to access skilled corporate professionals at no cost.
Which social sectors are prioritised in Budget 2026?
Budget 2026 prioritises eldercare ($400M Long-Term Care Fund), disability support (new task force), youth engagement (new panels), family support (ComLink+ enhancement), and community initiatives (SG Partnerships Fund). Organisations in these areas can expect the most funding.