• Growing Cluster of Non-Profit Organisations
• A Base to Serve Asia’s Needs
• Global Business City
• Talent and Thought Leadership for Non-Profit Management
• A Stable and Conducive Environment to Flourish
• Growing Centre for Philanthropy
• Convenient Point of Assistance
• New Resources for INPOs in Singapore

Singapore is currently home to more than 130 International Non-Profit Organisations (INPOs) - a number that has more than tripled since 2005. They span a range of sectors including inter-governmental organisations (IGOs), non-governmental organisations (NGOs) with a social, health, humanitarian or environmental focus, industry associations, philanthropic foundations, think tanks and corporate social responsibility (CSR) organisations. We are also seeing a growing number of social enterprises and social enterprise platforms which incorporate a social or environmental cause into a sustainable business model.

In the face of Asia's challenges, including natural disasters, poverty, urbanization and environmental degradation, interest in the roles of philanthropy and the private sector in meeting these challenges has also grown in tandem with rising Asian wealth. INPOs are therefore choosing Singapore as a base to forge key initiatives and build on the increasing interaction between the non-profit sector, social enterprises and the business world. INPOs looking for a base to serve Asia's needs also use Singapore as a launch pad for their key activities, taking advantage of Singapore's neutrality, global connectivity, pro-business environment, global talent pool and rising interest in philanthropy.

Singapore's existing strengths as a financial centre, logistics and information hub also puts us in good stead to serve as an IO humanitarian response hub for the region.

INPOs can tap on Singapore's pro-business environment, which has been rated number one in the world (World Bank, 2012). Singapore is a global logistics base complete with strong air, sea and land connectivity and a seamless, reliable telecommunications network. All of these are important enablers for INPOs to gain access to the region and respond quickly to needs. In addition, the state's comprehensive, state-of-the-art meeting and convention facilities can support a range of events and activities from board meetings to global conventions. With the growing importance of leveraging private sector expertise and capital to address the world’s most pressing problems, Singapore as a home to 38,000 international companies is also a choice location for INPOs to collaborate and form partnerships in areas from corporate sustainability, CSR, PPP, social entrepreneurship and inclusive businesses to impact investment and venture philanthropy.

Singapore is a magnet for international talent to work, live and play in a cosmopolitan city state. It is a Global Schoolhouse where a highly-educated, multi-cultural, English-speaking workforce is groomed from three local and 16 leading foreign tertiary institutions. Within the non-profit sector, Singapore aims to be a focal point for research and thought leadership in Asia, and this includes being a centre for education and training. Key institutions include the Lien Foundation Centre for Social Innovation at Singapore Management University, NUS ASCEP and the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy.

Setting up shop in a place like Singapore which enjoys political stability and neutrality is crucial for INPOs. Singapore's strong rule of law and sense of corporate governance also discourages corruption and makes the environment conducive for managing programmes throughout the region. In addition, interests in Singapore are moving beyond economic considerations towards social, philanthropic, humanitarian environmental and philanthropic issues.

Asia Pacific's wealth among high net worth individuals (HNIs) has surpassed that of Europe in 2010 where the HNI population now stands at 3.3 million with wealth totalling US$10.8 trillion. HNI wealth is expected to grow to US$13.5 trillion by 2013 (World Wealth Report 2010 & 2011). The increase in affluence is giving rise to a growing interest in philanthropy. The 2011 UBS-INSEAD Report on Family Philanthropy in Asia also highlighted the strong motivations for Asian families to engage philanthropy as means to ensure continuity of family values or create lasting legacy. To this end, Asian families give most to their home countries, and are increasingly looking to give to other less advantaged regions. In Singapore, charitable donations have also tripled from S$341 million in 2006 to S$1.07 billion in 2010 (National Volunteer and Philanthropy Centre, Individual Giving Survey 2010). As a key financial hub in Asia Pacific, Singapore is well positioned to host foundations, donor advised funds and other philanthropic trusts.

To help facilitate international INPOs in setting up base in Singapore, a dedicated International Organisations Programme Office (IOPO) was established in 2007 as a multi-agency initiative led by EDB. The office will provide one-stop-shop assistance and information to these organisations, and continue to assist their needs even after setting up in Singapore. To learn more about the IOPO, and how to start up your INPO in Singapore, please click here.

The Tanglin International Centre (TIC) is a dedicated cluster of 2 refurbished buildings as office space for the international non-profit community. Situated amidst lush greenery and located close to key business districts, shopping, leisure and F&B outlets, the TIC offers competitive rental rates, shared services such as meeting and conference rooms, and outdoor gazebos for events. More importantly, the centre offers a conducive platform for organisations to interact, share ideas and foster collaborations.