Who we are
The President’s Challenge seeks to promote a culture of unity and respect for all — by enabling programmes for upliftment, empowering individuals and supporting aspirations in the sports, arts and culture.
Last updated 27 July 2026
Overview
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Photo credit: MDDI
The President’s Challenge was launched in 2000 by then-President Mr S R Nathan, to rally Singaporeans in building a more caring and cohesive society, and to support communities in need. Former Presidents Dr Tony Tan and Mdm Halimah Yacob strengthened the movement during their terms – expanding volunteerism and support for social enterprises, and enhancing targeted support for vulnerable groups.
In 2025, the President’s Challenge was refreshed to focus on achieving more sustained social impact — particularly by uplifting aspirations, abilities, and potential among individuals facing greater challenges in life. The refresh involved a shift from short-term assistance to longer-term funding, typically from three to five years, so as to deliver deeper and more sustained social impact.
Across these initiatives, we will seek to promote volunteerism, multiracialism, and cross-cultural appreciation as a way of life.
Our focus
1. Achieving sustained social impact
The President’s Challenge supports programmes and initiatives for upliftment, especially aimed at individuals who have had to overcome adversity.
Beyond social upliftment, the President’s Challenge also supports broader aspirations, in the sports, arts and culture.
In sports, we support Team Singapore athletes in pursuing sporting excellence through the spexEducation Undergraduate Scholarship, as well as expands opportunities for more children and youth to play and compete. It also significantly expands pathways for persons with disabilities through the Enabling Sports Fund, which grows community-led disability sport initiatives and enables talent identification for high-performance pathways in disability sports.
In the arts, we support emerging talents to develop their aspirations, contribute to Singapore’s cultural identity, and uplift capabilities in the arts sector, including the creative economy, through the NAC Arts Scholarship.
The President’s Challenge also funds the Multicultural Arts Programme (MAP) Grant launched in July 2026, together with the Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth (MCCY). The MAP supports both individual practitioners and arts organisations in developing practices anchored in Singapore’s multicultural milieu, whether rooted in a single cultural tradition or aimed at developing cross-cultural artistic expression.
2. Empowering catalysts and role models for social change
The President’s Challenge Fellowships will help broaden the canvas of leadership in society and encourage more catalysts and role models for social change. It empowers individuals along three tracks:
Civic Action: Encourage social sector professionals and active volunteers who are deepening expertise and developing new approaches to achieving social good.
Springboard: Empower individuals bouncing back from major setbacks to embark on new career paths through education, upskilling, employment, or entrepreneurship.
ITE Inspire: Motivate youth and the ITE community to unlock their full potential and inspire those around them.
3. Building a culture of unity and respect for all
The President’s Challenge is ultimately about strengthening the inclusive and vibrant social compact that we are developing in Singapore.
Across its initiatives, the President’s Challenge will champion:
Volunteerism
Multiracialism
Cross-cultural appreciation
We envision a Singapore where everyone is inspired to grow, and every contribution matters – no matter how big or small.
Together, we are shaping a future rooted in unity, respect, and opportunity for all.
More about us
A note from our President
Hear from our President on the values that shape the refreshed President’s Challenge.
Our refreshed logo
A logo designed by our youth, capturing the heart of the President’s Challenge; unity, empowerment, and a community rising together.
