NTUC Care CSR Grant: Supporting unions to give back to the community

Over the years, NTUC-affiliated unions, associations and other communities in the Labour Movement have been carrying out community service or Corporate Social Responsibility projects.

Many unions and associations organise at least one of these community projects a year.

In recognition of their efforts and to support the spirit of volunteerism, the NTUC Care Caring • Sharing • Reaching Out (CSR) Grant was introduced to provide co-funding support for such meaningful endeavours.

The CSR Grant is an initiative under the NTUC-U Care Fund. It enables unions and Labour Movement communities to organise community service projects at little to no cost, while deepening the spirit of care and volunteerism across Singapore.

Strengthening the Labour Movement’s commitment to the community

Since its introduction in 2011, the NTUC Care CSR Grant initiative has encouraged unions and their members to reach out to underprivileged groups through regular community service activities.

The grant aims to cultivate the spirit of giving and volunteerism by spreading cheer and joy to the less privileged in society.

The grant supports a wide range of projects, from visits to social service agencies to refurbishment of rental flats and festive support for lower-income households.

In December 2024, the scheme was enhanced to allow unions to do even more.

The annual funding cap has been increased to $5,000 per union or association, with an additional $500 for projects jointly organised with Labour Movement communities such as NTUC Club, nEbO and U Live.

The U Care CSR Grant provides support for three main types of projects:

1. Projects involving registered Social Service Agencies (SSAs)

Unions can organise befriending sessions, outings, performances, or distribute goodie bags and gifts to beneficiaries of registered SSAs.

Funding is provided at up to $60 per beneficiary, capped at $5,000 per union per year.

Joint projects between multiple unions or associations may pool their caps for larger initiatives.

2. Refurbishment and home improvement projects

These projects support elderly or needy families living in housing units referred by agencies such as the Community Development Council (CDCs), Social Service Offices (SSOs) or HDB.

Two funding bundles are available:

• Bundle A: Up to $400 per household for painting, replacing furniture or essential appliances.
• Bundle B: Up to $150 per household for spring cleaning and groceries.Funding for refurbishment counts toward the same $5,000 annual cap.

3. Festive Smiles Project

The Festive Smiles component helps lower-income households purchase festive items such as clothing, goodies or gifts during celebrations like Lunar New Year, Hari Raya, Deepavali and Christmas.

Funding is up to $100 per household, within the overall cap.

Encouraging volunteerism across the Labour Movement

The scheme emphasises active participation by union officials, activists and Labour Movement volunteers.

The recommended volunteer-beneficiary ratios ensure resources are channelled effectively and beneficiaries receive meaningful interaction.

For example, SSA visits and outings allow up to two volunteers per beneficiary, while refurbishment projects allow up to five volunteers per household due to the labour-intensive nature of the work.

In 2025, NTUC Care disbursed more than $28,000 to unions and associations to support 18 CSR projects, benefiting more than 800 beneficiaries.

Here are some examples of unions that organised CSR activities in 2025:

Built Environment And Urban Trades Employees’ Union (BATU)

On 29 November 2025, BATU volunteers packed and distributed essential items to beneficiaries in Kolam Ayer.

In attendance was NTUC’s e2i Stakeholder Management Director and BATU Consultant Wan Rizal.

Supply Chain Employees’ Union (SCEU)

On 22 November 2025, SCEU delivered care packs of daily essentials to NTUC Care beneficiaries in Pasir Ris.

In attendance was NTUC Deputy Secretary-General and SCEU Advisor Desmond Tan.

Shipbuilding and Marine Engineering Employees’ Union (SMEEU)

On 4 October 2025, SMEEU and My Volunteer Kaki teamed up to spread joy to 75 seniors at Methodist Welfare Services’ Active Ageing Centre at Fernvale Rivergrove.

The event was attended by NTUC Secretary-General Ng Chee Meng.

Singapore Urban Redevelopment Authority Workers’ Union (SURAWU)

The union partnered with My Volunteer Kaki and MINDS trainees on 29 September 2025 to bake 100 packets of cookies.

The cookies were then gifted to volunteers of Caritas Singapore and the beneficiaries of MINDS Community Hub (Geylang Serai).

Every worker matters, along with their families and loved ones.

The Labour Movement will continue to support unions and associations in giving back to the community through NTUC Care.

You can do your part by donating to the NTUC-U Care Fund, so that the good work of unions will continue to benefit those less privileged.

To help those in need, you can donate to the NTUC-U Care Fund.