DBS Foundation calls for Social Enterprise Grant submissions for 2020 cycle
Singapore, Regional, 18 Mar 2020 - DBS Foundation, the first foundation in Singapore dedicated to championing social entrepreneurship, is calling for social enterprises across the region to apply for the 2020 DBS Foundation Social Enterprise (SE) Grant. Successful applicants will not only receive grant funding of up to SGD 250,000 each, but also be supported to scale their business and build business resilience especially in today’s challenging business environment. DBS will lend its support by raising awareness of the SEs through its various programmes and platforms, providing the SEs business opportunities, and assisting with capacity building.
reach52 delivers healthcare services in underserved communities
Said Karen Ngui, Board Member of DBS Foundation and DBS’ Head of Group Strategic Marketing & Communications, “In our recent conversations with social entrepreneurs supported by DBS Foundation, it became increasingly apparent that social enterprises, like most businesses, need holistic support to help them weather the uncertainties and challenges triggered by the Covid-19 pandemic. With this latest round of the DBS Foundation Social Enterprise Grant call and various other initiatives that the bank has put in place to nurture and grow the social enterprise ecosystem, we hope more social entrepreneurs will come forward to pursue their goals and succeed at building innovative businesses aimed at tackling Asia’s growing environmental and/or social issues.”
As part of the
bank’s collective efforts to support individuals, businesses and communities impacted by the Covid-19 situation
, DBS has been collaborating with DBS Foundation-supported social enterprises to distribute healthy snacks, coffee and gelato to 25,000 healthcare professionals in Singapore who have been working tirelessly since the virus outbreak.
Said Walter Oh, Co-founder of Boxgreen, "We treasure the opportunity to partner with an organisation like DBS that has its heart in the right place. Their values, people, and network made this distribution happen very efficiently from start to finish. During this period, we appreciate the support DBS has provided through the sponsorship of our snacks, and we're glad to have the privilege to be part of the effort to bring cheer to our frontline healthcare teams.”
DBS Foundation Social Enterprise Grant 2020
The DBS Foundation Social Enterprise Grant is open to social enterprises across Asia that have a business product or solution that has been validated by the market. Applicants must also have clear plans to scale up the business, as well as a demonstrated commitment to social mission with a roadmap to increasing social impact. Successful applicants can expect to receive up to SGD 250,000 in grants, as well as gain access to business and partnership opportunities, and mentorship by DBS executives. Applications received before 15 May 2020, 2359hrs (Singapore time, GMT +8) will be evaluated from July to September 2020, with the awarding of grants in November 2020. Applications received thereafter will be evaluated in the next cycle. To find out more about the DBS Foundation SE Grant Programme, as well as submission of applications, visit
https://go.dbs.com/grants2020
.
For the first time, DBS Foundation is introducing a new Zero Food Waste category of grants for social enterprises with innovative solutions that contribute to the global target of reducing food waste
[1]
. The initiative also dovetails with the vision set out in Singapore’s Zero-Waste Masterplan
[2]
. Successful solutions may range from that which minimise food wastage to that which manage food surplus or upcycle food waste.
The 2019 cycle of the DBS Foundation Social Enterprise Grant Programme attracted a record 600 applications from social enterprises across Asia. In Singapore, last year’s grant awardees, Agape Connecting People, NamZ and reach52 continue to scale up social impact by providing innovative solutions to create jobs and income for marginalised groups, develop revolutionary instant noodles for a healthier planet, as well as deliver healthcare services in underserved communities.
The DBS Foundation was established in 2014 with a SGD 50 million fund to mark the bank’s commitment to championing social entrepreneurship that can provide long-term solutions to social and environmental challenges in a rapidly growing Asia. Among its slew of initiatives to nurture and enable SEs to scale their impact, the signature DBS Foundation Social Enterprise Grant has awarded more than 60 SEs from Singapore, China, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia and Taiwan to support their goals for a more inclusive and sustainable world.
[1]
https://news.un.org/en/story/2019/10/1049181
[2]
Singapore’s Zero Waste Masterplan:
https://go.gov.sg/zwmp-full?fireglass_rsn=true
[End]
About DBS
DBS is a leading financial services group in Asia with a presence in 18 markets. Headquartered and listed in Singapore, DBS is in the three key Asian axes of growth: Greater China, Southeast Asia and South Asia. The bank's "AA-" and "Aa1" credit ratings are among the highest in the world.
Recognised for its global leadership, DBS has been named “
World’s Best Bank
” by Euromoney, “
Global Bank of the Yea
r” by The Banker and “
Best Bank in the World
” by Global Finance. The bank is at the forefront of leveraging digital technology to shape the future of banking, having been named “
World’s Best Digital Bank
” by Euromoney. In addition, DBS has been accorded the “
Safest Bank in Asia
” award by Global Finance for 11 consecutive years from 2009 to 2019.
DBS provides a full range of services in consumer, SME and corporate banking. As a bank born and bred in Asia, DBS understands the intricacies of doing business in the region’s most dynamic markets. DBS is committed to building lasting relationships with customers, and positively impacting communities through supporting social enterprises, as it banks the Asian way. It has also established a SGD 50 million foundation to strengthen its corporate social responsibility efforts in Singapore and across Asia.
With its extensive network of operations in Asia and emphasis on engaging and empowering its staff, DBS presents exciting career opportunities. The bank acknowledges the passion, commitment and can-do spirit in all of our 28,000 staff, representing over 40 nationalities. For more information, please visit
www.dbs.com
.
About DBS Foundation
Championing Social Entrepreneurship
As a corporate foundation in Asia solely dedicated to championing social entrepreneurship, DBS Foundation contributes towards building a more inclusive society so that those at society’s margins can enjoy productive and rewarding lives. DBS Foundation works with Social Enterprises and Social Entrepreneurs in Singapore, India, Indonesia, China, Taiwan and Hong Kong with programmes ranging from venture challenges, learning forums, intensive incubation, grant support, financing and skilled volunteer mentoring. The Foundation is an endeavor from DBS Bank to make an even greater impact in addressing Asia’s evolving social needs. Please visit
www.dbs.com/dbsfoundation
or reach us at
dbsfoundation@dbs.com
.
DBS Bank Ltd | 12 Marina Boulevard, DBS Asia Central @ Marina Bay Financial Centre Tower 3,
Singapore 018982 | Co. Reg. No. 196800306E
Tel: 65.6878 8888 | www.dbs.com
