Chew Sutat, chairman of Community Chest Singapore, and Robb Report Singapore Gala 2024’s Spirit of Philanthropy award recipient discusses mindful giving
It is important for one’s heart to be in the right place for philanthropic work, but clear-headed decision-making can take your altruism a long way, notes Chew Sutat, chairman of Community Chest. Chew, who took on the role in 2022, has spent his professional career in the world of finance, holding leadership positions in Singapore Exchange (SGX) and Standard Chartered Bank, as well as serving at OCBC and DBS. His experience of being a numbers person becomes increasingly evident as he details the changing demands of philanthropic work and the role of Community Chest.
“When people give, they want to know where their donations go,” he says. “We are very focused on impact and every programme that we do has clear output indicators that we are able to report against.”
One of Singapore’s longest-serving charity organisations, Community Chest marked its 40th anniversary last year. As much as Chew recognises the positive impact that it has made through the years, he also thinks that the organisation needs to “build new muscles, new skill sets”.
To address this, Chew shares the impetus to build “a culture of sustainability” by way of what he calls the “Three I model” (“informed, impactful, intermediary”). “We are a platform for people and companies to come together. Many Singaporeans don’t know that we are 100 per cent pass-through. Meaning, 100 per cent of donations and resources channelled to Community Chest goes to the end beneficiary,” he says.
Needs-driven approach
To that end, he advocates for a paradigm shift from a cause-biased take on philanthropy towards an organised, needs-driven approach that is backed by data. One example is the Sustainable Philanthropy Framework, introduced in July by the National Council of Social Service to help businesses rethink ad-hoc giving.
The framework provides numbers for businesses to assess the tangible effect and societal impact of their philanthropic efforts. Instead of depending on corporate social responsibility (CSR) budgets or donating on an ad-hoc basis, sustainable philanthropy addresses the need for multi-year commitments, Chew explains.
“While you may be the best trader in finance, you may not necessarily be the best in understanding how to deal with complex social issues like mental health in the community,” he says. “Philanthropy in Singapore is in a good place. But we also need to consider how to channel this to have the most impactful, effective and efficient outcomes.”
Reflecting on his personal journey in philanthropic work, and contrasting against his career in the high-net-worth financial services industry, Chew is acutely aware of the distinction between the two, but is not so pessimistic as to think that they are loosely associated.
“Many high-net-worth individuals have reached the top of the hierarchy. They have their Gulfstreams and are driving Ferraris. But at some point in their careers and lives, they also start thinking about meaning and purpose,” he says.
“Everyone wants to be more comfortable, have a different lifestyle from where they started, and you can’t argue against that. But I believe if you can separate your needs and your wants, and identify what they really are, life can be simple,” he adds.
Having been involved in volunteering since his school days, as well as CSR initiatives at work—a notable cause he led was SGX’s corporate charity run, Bull Run, growing its annual fundraising capabilities from S$1 million to about S$4 million by the time he left the company in 2021—Chew describes his involvement with Community Chest as “a real privilege”.
“This is a 41-year-old organisation that has done so much good in its time. Hopefully, I can channel my passions, network and abilities to bring a team together and make a difference for this wonderful organisation.”
