JOIN AS A VWO PARTNER   |   JOIN AS A VOLUNTEER MENTOR   |   JOIN AS A YFC TEAM

Join as a VWO Partner

Youth groups participating in the Citi-YMCA Youth For Causes programme must execute a community project that supports a Singapore-registered Voluntary Welfare Organisation (VWO) with Institute of Public Character (IPC) status.

What is a VWO?
VWO is the acronym for Voluntary Welfare Organisation and refers to an organisation that:

• is a voluntary set-up and governed by an elected volunteer board
• is non-profit making
• promotes and provides social and community services in financial, emotional, educational, health and social aid and support
• caters for those in need, distress or at-risk and helps the disadvantaged and disabled to be independent
• is driven by a strong spirit of volunteerism and
• works with volunteers, government authorities, public and private organisations and the community.

What is Institute of Public Character (IPC)?
If an organisation is set up in Singapore exclusively for non-profit purposes and carries out activities to achieve these purposes, it is mandatory for them to be registered with the Commissioner of Charities (at the Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore office) under the Charities Act. Upon registration, Voluntary Welfare Organisations are conferred Institute of Public Character (IPC) status, which authorises them to receive tax-deductible donations.

IPC status ensures a high standard of governance, fund-raising practice and financial accountability of a Voluntary Welfare Organisation, which protects public money.

Why do we require participating groups to support Voluntary Welfare Organisations with IPC status?
All participating community projects of the Citi-YMCA Youth For Causes programme will be given a blanket fund-raising license from the National Council of Social Services during the project execution period from 23 May to 4 Sept 2013. This fund-raising license is conferred only on projects that support Voluntary Welfare Organisations with IPC status.

By supporting a Voluntary Welfare Organisation with IPC status, you also ensure members of the public and donors of the integrity of your community project.

IMPORTANT: With the fund-raising license, it is mandatory for all participating groups to submit an income and expenditure statement, attached with the original receipts of all items expensed and funds collected, by the end of their projects. These income and expenditure statements will be audited by the Citi-YMCA Youth For Causes organisers and submitted to the National Council of Social Services and the Citigroup Foundation.

Interested VWOs can click here to read up on the guidelines and send in their applications to be a partner VWO under the Citi-YMCA Youth For Causes Programme!

Join as a Volunteer Mentor

Calling for Volunteer Mentors!

Be involved in one of YMCA's flagship community services programmes to inspire youth and aid in their character development. Be part of the life journey of 4 young people as they set out to make a difference in society. Be a Volunteer Mentor in Citi-YMCA Youth For Causes 2013! 

You will be assigned to guide a team of 4 youth for a period from 23 May 2013 - 4 September 2013. Mentors are to have at least 5 years corporate experience or have relevant background in field such as teaching, mentoring or social enterprise. 

Interested parties please click here for the acceptance form and fax/email to yfc@ymca.org.sg!

If you have any queries, please call 6586 2354 or email to yfc@ymca.org.sg.

Join as a YFC Team

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Guidelines to Participating

1. Profile of Participants

• Participants must be between 15 to 25 years old, passionate about serving the community and interested in volunteering.
• Participants must implement and execute the project in groups of 4.
• Participants must take ownership of and organise the project to benefit a social cause, that is, to raise funds, raise public awareness and/or recruit a pool of regular volunteers for a chosen Singapore-registered VWO with Institute of Public Character (IPC) status only.

2. Project Criteria for Citi-YMCA Youth For Causes programme

2.1. Scope:

• Youth groups interested in participating in the Citi-YMCA Youth For Causes programme are to come up with innovative project proposals in using seed money of S$1,600 per group to benefit a Singapore-registered VWO of their choice with IPC status.
• Proposed projects are to be initiated and implemented by participating groups and be of benefit to deserving people in the community.
• Projects discriminating against race, language or religion; or having a potentially offensive message or content will automatically be disqualified.
• Each youth group can submit only one application and proposal.
• On top of a grant of at least S$1,600, each qualifying youth group will be assigned a mentor from Citi or YMCA of Singapore. It is the onus of each qualifying youth group to maximise the returns of their provided resources.
• All qualifying youth groups are required to attend the Official Launch to be held on 23 May 2013.
• The projects by the qualifying youth groups must be implemented and completed within a 15-week timeframe from 23 May to 4 Sept 2013.

2.2. VWO Affiliation for Individual Projects:

• Participants are to carry out their Citi-YMCA Youth For Causes project in association with a Singapore-registered VWO with IPC status. Click here for the list of participating VWOs.
• Participants are to choose a Singapore-registered VWO with IPC status representing a social cause they want to support, seek their counsel and approval for their proposed project, and obtain VWO endorsement letter upon submission of proposal.

2.3. Guidelines for Participating Voluntary Welfare Organisations

• VWOs may participate in more than one Citi-YMCA Youth For Causes project if more than one project proposal identifying the VWO as their beneficiary.
• The selected VWOs shall provide support to the participating youth groups by:
  • appointing a coordinator to guide them in matters relating to its services and beneficiaries of the VWO;
  • administration of seed-funding and management of team finances
• Participating VWOs must endorse the Final Project Report done by participating youth groups who will then submit it to YMCA of Singapore upon completion of the project.
• They are also to provide the Organizing body a certified true copy of photocopied receipts for auditing purposes

3. Citi-YMCA Youth For Causes Seed Funding Mechanisms

• Seed funding will be disbursed to the selected VWOs and the qualifying group.
• Youth participants must submit a project budget detailing all estimated income and expenses.
• The coordinator from the selected VWO must work together with the participants to:
• • administer the seed funding to the participants, in order to meet expenditure incurred in the course of their project implementation
  • help the participants in documenting any expenditure and income for the duration of the project, so as to be accountable to Citi Singapore and YMCA of Singapore for all financial matters
• Funds raised by the participants will be channeled directly to the VWOs and recorded in the “Citi-YMCA Youth For Causes” accounts.
• Participants should ensure that expenditure incurred should not exceed the initial grant amount and the amount raised through the programme. Any excess expenditure will be borne by them.
• Participants must follow the National Council of Social Service code of governance on the 30/70 rule.  It means that participants cannot spend more than 30% of their income on the expenditure.

4. Guidelines for Mentors

• Mentors must attend the Mentor’s Briefing
• Mentors are to monitor the participants’ progress and have the responsibility of reminding them to adhere as closely as possible to the submitted project proposal and budget.
• Mentors are to ensure that the name(s) of YMCA of Singapore, Citi Singapore, Citigroup Foundation and the VWOs are appropriately incorporated and/or used in any relevant publicity materials etc.
• Mentors are not to make any final decisions in relation to the participants’ projects. They are, however, required to provide sound judgment and advice when consulted by the participants they have been assigned to. The Citi-YMCA Youth For Causes project is the sole responsibility of the participants.
• Mentors are to provide feedback to the group they have been assigned to, YMCA of Singapore and/or NPO when necessary.
• Mentors may be called upon to provide objective feedback and/or verification for the Final Report, but are not to write any part of it.

5. Guidelines for Citi-YMCA Youth For Causes Participants
These are the guidelines or conditions to be met by the youth groups who qualify to receive the grant:

• Implementation of the project must adhere as closely to the proposal submitted.
• Participants must adhere to the stated procedural regulations, guidelines, terms and conditions of Citi-YMCA Youth for Causes, as well as those of the VWOs being served.
• Participants must ensure the safety of all involved during the implementation of their project. The Organisers will not be held responsible for any illegal acts, accidents or deaths that occur during the course of this programme.
• Participants must report and submit a once-in-a three weeks Progress Report to their assigned mentors on a regular basis. An update is to be submitted to YMCA of Singapore and the VWOs every three weeks.
• Participants must incorporate a block of logos and the words “A Citi-YMCA Youth For Causes project organised by Citi Singapore and the YMCA of Singapore, sponsored by the Citigroup Foundation and an event of President's Challenge” in any relevant publicity materials such as posters, flyers and backdrop for the event. Click here for the block of logos.

Business Proposal and Selection Criteria

What should the business proposal include?

Selection Criteria
Your proposal will be judged on the following criteria and your proposal should seek to explain clearly how you meet these criteria.

• Aims and benefits of project
• Creativity and Innovation of ideas
• Feasibility of project
• Planning of the implementation & execution
• How the public will be educated on social causes
• How volunteers are mobilized, recruited & involved.
• How the financial target is set and achieved

Proposal Format
Your proposal will be submitted to us via an online form and you should keep your content limited to the character range that is indicated above under ”Proposal Contents”. 
Total length of proposal should not exceed 2 pages.

Teams are only allowed 2 additional attachments that are:

1. Project Timeline & Plan
2. Project Financial Budget

Proposal Contents
Your project proposal must include these contents:

1. Team Details: 
   a. Group Name 
   
   b. Chosen Voluntary Welfare Organization 
   
   c. Team Member 1 Name (Team Leader)
       i. School 
       ii. NRIC 
       iii. Contact No. (Home) 
       iv. Contact No. (Mobile)  
       v. Email  
       vi. Mailing Address  
       vii. Postal Code  
       viii. Parent’s Contact Number  
       ix. Relationship (Father/Mother)  
       x. School Teacher’s Name  
       xi. School Teacher’s Email  
       xii. School Teacher’s Contact No.  
   
   d. Team Member 2 Name 
       i. School 
       ii. NRIC 
       iii. Contact No. (Home) 
       iv. Contact No. (Mobile)  
       v. Email  
       vi. Mailing Address  
       vii. Postal Code  
       viii. Parent’s Contact Number  
       ix. Relationship (Father/Mother)  
       x. School Teacher’s Name  
       xi. School Teacher’s Email  
       xii. School Teacher’s Contact No.  
   
   e. Team Member 3 Name 
       i. School 
       ii. NRIC 
       iii. Contact No. (Home) 
       iv. Contact No. (Mobile)  
       v. Email  
       vi. Mailing Address  
       vii. Postal Code  
       viii. Parent’s Contact Number  
       ix. Relationship (Father/Mother)  
       x. School Teacher’s Name  
       xi. School Teacher’s Email  
       xii. School Teacher’s Contact No.  
   
   f. Team Member 4 Name 
       i. School 
       ii. NRIC 
       iii. Contact No. (Home) 
       iv. Contact No. (Mobile)  
       v. Email  
       vi. Mailing Address  
       vii. Postal Code  
       viii. Parent’s Contact Number  
       ix. Relationship (Father/Mother)  
       x. School Teacher’s Name  
       xi. School Teacher’s Email  
       xii. School Teacher’s Contact No.