Established by MCCY, the Cultural Matching Fund (CMF) provides dollar-for-dollar matching grants for private cash donations to registered charities in the arts and heritage sector.

The CMF aims to encourage giving to our arts and heritage sector. This will create a more sustainable arts and heritage scene, and one in which more people in Singapore have a stake. The CMF will match monetary donations received by the eligible organisations, from individuals, foundations and corporations. The CMF doubles the value of every cash donation for the receiving organisation which can be put to various uses, including developing capabilities for the long-term sustainability of the organisation and the cultural sector as a whole.

The National Arts Council is the appointed Secretariat for the administration of the CMF.

• The CMF application window 2025 will be open from 1 April to 31 May 2025. Application closes on 31 May 2025 by 23:59 (SGT).

• Applications should be submitted via OurSG (OSG) Grants Portal at https://oursggrants.gov.sg/.

• Contact the CMF Secretariat at cmf@nac.gov.sg for enquiries.

• View the guide to using the OSG Grants Portal to apply for CMF

• How to apply for CMF

• How to fill in CMF milestone reports

Only Arts and Heritage Charities and IPCs are eligible for the CMF. These principally include the Charities and IPCs classified by the Commissioner of Charities to be primarily engaged and operating in the arts and heritage sector. The CMF Secretariat may also consider other exceptional Charities and IPCs that conduct significant arts and heritage activities, such that they contribute to the benefit of the arts and heritage sector, to be eligible for the CMF on a case by case basis.

Applications will be evaluated by the CMF Trustees with support from CMF Secretariat, MCCY, NAC, and NHB. The CMF Trustees will assess an application based on, amongst other criteria, its eligibility, completeness, and the proposed uses of the matching grant.

Matching funds are limited. There is a need to decide on the allocation of these funds, especially during application cycles when there is a surge in the total dollar amount submitted for matching. CMF will prioritise applications that support culture sector priorities, which include but are not limited to driving artistic and cultural excellence; contributing to stronger and more cohesive communities in Singapore; and developing the local arts and culture sector.

CMF reserves the right to reject any application. The CMF decisions in relation to the approval of applications is final and no appeals will be allowed.

For applications above $300,000, applicants are encouraged to discuss with the relevant agency to ensure that the proposed uses are in line with culture sector priorities (see “Funding conditions” section) before submitting their applications.

• For matching grant in the first S$300,000 of matching grants received per application window, use of the funds should be in line with the stated objects as arts and heritage charities as well as governance regulations for charities. Some examples may include overhead operating costs such as salaries, staff training & development and rental costs.
• For matching grants above the first S$300,000 per application window, the funds will be prioritised to support projects that align to culture sector priorities, including projects that:
  
  a. Contribute significantly to artistic/heritage excellence in Singapore;
  
  b. Contribute to stronger and more cohesive communities in Singapore; and
  
  c. Contribute to the capability development of the wider local arts and heritage sector.
  
  
• All CMF Matching Grants, regardless of the quantum of amount disbursed, cannot be used for the following items:
  
  a. entertainment expenses;
  
  b. staff bonuses and welfare benefits (including overseas travel costs);
  
  c. internal charges within a charity;
  
  d. legal expenses
  
  e. debt/loan repayment; and
  
  f. government fine and taxes
• All CMF matching grants are not to be used for activities that may:
  
  a. advocate or lobby for lifestyles seen as objectionable by the general public;
  
  b. denigrate or debase a person, or a group or class of persons on the basis of race or religion, or serve to create conflict or misunderstanding in the multicultural and multi-religious society of the Republic of Singapore;
  
  c. undermine the authority or legitimacy of the Government and public institutions or threaten the security or stability of the Republic of Singapore; and / or
  
  d. in any way, be adverse to the cultural sector and / or the Republic of Singapore.

We are sharing the slides to complement the presentation from the sessions for the benefit of those who could not attend.

Session on 28 March 2025 (held at National Gallery Singapore - The Ngee Ann Kongsi Auditorium & Foyer

• Welcome Addressby CMF Presiding Trustee - Supporting Singapore Arts and Culture
• Opening Remarks by CMF Trust Secretary - Supporting Singapore Arts and Culture through Cultural Matching Fund
• Technical Briefing by CMF Secretariat

Session on 2 April 2024 (held at Asian Civilizations Museum - Ngee Ann Auditorium & Foyer)

• Centre for Non-Profit Leadership: Reimagining Philanthropy: Strengthening Charities through Community
• Community Foundation of Singapore: Value 3.0: From Competition To Collaboration To Common Sense
• Charities Unit: Navigating the revised Code of Governance and Resources
• CMF Secretariat: CMF 2024 Update

Session on 5 April 2023 (held at National Museum Singapore, Gallery Theatre and Foyer)

• Our SG Arts Plan (2023-2037)
• Our SG Heritage Plan 2.0
• Arts Philanthropy Corporate Giving Research (2022)
• Guidance on Tax Deductible Donations
• Corporate PAYNOW for Our SG Grant Portal (CMF)

Session on 22 March 2022

• Donor Engagement Insights & Ka-Ching Donation Tool
• Refresher on Sponsorship vs Donation (The slides will be removed once IRAS publishes the formal guidance on donations and sponsorships on IRAS website when the e-Tax Guide is finalised)
• CMF audit case studies

Session on 24 March 2021

• Charities GoDigital Kit
• Revised Charity Transparency Framework
• CMF audit case studies
• OSG Grants Portal for CMF application
• Responses to Q&As on tax treatment of donations and sponsorships

Session on 16 March 2020

• Presentation on Updates to CMF Application Form & Annexes

Session on 23 April 2019

• Presentation on CMF refinements

Tote Board Enhanced Fund-Raising Programme Grant

Tote Board has enhanced its Fund-Raising Programme with effect from 17 April 2020 to support non-profit organisations adversely impacted by the COVID-19 outbreak.

This fundraising programme started in 2006 to serve as a catalyst to encourage the community to better meet the needs of the underserved in the community. The fundraising gives VWOs and organisations a boost to initiate and achieve their fund-raising targets.

Arts and Heritage Organisations that are interested may visit the Tote Board website to find out more.

Important – Please note that i) sponsorship, grants and earned income, and ii) donations that have been matched by other government grants that allocate funds based on raised income are not eligible for matching by the Cultural Matching Fund.

Arts & Heritage charities/IPCs may refer to NAC website to download Donation and Sponsorship Agreement Templates for your use when engaging Arts philanthropy. The latest e-tax guide on tax treatment of donations with benefits can be found here.

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