President’s Challenge Singapore

The President’s Challenge was launched in 2000. It has evolved since, and was refreshed in 2025. The refreshed President’s Challenge seeks to build a culture of unity and respect for all, as the basis for uplifting ourselves as a society.

But how exactly can that be done, and how will it change the lives of many? Here’s what you need to know, and how you can help make a difference too.

Image credit: Morning Star Community Services

1. Enabling sustained social impact

Longer-term support for benefitting programmes

In 2025, the President’s Challenge funded 60 programmes from 52 organisations for up to 5 years. This marks a shift away from year-to-year grants towards longer-term support, enabling deeper and more sustained social impact.

A father and son share a hug over at NLS’s prison open visit, aimed at fostering bonds and connection between an incarcerated parent and their children.
Image credit: New Life Stories

For instance, New Life Stories’ Family Strengthening Programme seeks to build resilience among children of incarcerated parents and their families, and strengthen family bonds.

There’s also Morning Star Community Services’ CareNights Programme, which provides free evening childcare support for children aged six to 14, while parents or caregivers attend to work or manage family responsibilities.

Participants attend training and mentoring sessions that support their journey to restart, rebuild, and re-integrate into the workforce.
Image credit: Yayasan Mendaki

Women At Work, a Yayasan Mendaki initiative helps unemployed Malay-Muslim women to develop and refresh their skills and to return to the workforce.

Coach Fitri gently adjusts Ko Kim Kit’s posture, making sure the rider with Phelan-McDermid syndrome is safe, balanced and ready to start her therapeutic ride.
Image credit: RDA Singapore

With longer-term funding, these programmes and others under the President’s Challenge, including the Riding for the Disabled Association Singapore’s Equine Assisted Activities, will now have the certainty to invest in capabilities and the time to scale social innovation – so that impact can be deeper, more durable, and sustained.

2. Nurturing the arts & sports too

Born with diplegia, Syahidah trains with focus and determination as a Singapore champion para archer who has won gold at the ASEAN Para Games in 2015, 2017, and 2022.
Image credit: President’s Challenge

The refreshed President’s Challenge will also broaden opportunities in the arts and sports, opening pathways for every talent to be developed, regardless of individuals’ backgrounds.

Beautiful Mind Music Academy students performing at the Esplanade Recital Studio.
Image credit: Beautiful Mind Charity

For example, Beautiful Mind Charity’s Employment Programme nurtures music talents in children with special needs, identifies talents, and provides a platform for them to develop as financially independent professional musicians.

Netball Rising is an initiative that provides netball coaching and competitive opportunities to young netball athletes aged 12 to 17 from underprivileged backgrounds, enabling them to develop their skills and pursue their passion and talent in the sport.

Image credit: Ministry of Digital Development and Information

Playeum’s Open Minds Open Doors Programme, empowers children with disabilities through play and the arts.

3-year-old Zoe explores colours and textures through creative play.
Image credit: Playeum

ICYMI, NUS Arts Scholarships and the Enabling Sport Fund are also backed by the President’s Challenge, empowering more Singaporean youths, especially those who face greater odds, to grow in these fields.

3. Nurturing leaders to advance the social good

The President’s Challenge Fellowship was launched in 2025, with the aim of broadening the canvas of leadership and role models for social change. It will do so via three tracks – Civic Action, to develop new approaches in the social sector, Springboard, to support individuals bouncing back from major setbacks, and ITE Inspire, to recognise outstanding achievers among ITE graduates.

President’s Challenge 2025 inaugural fellows (L-R) Mohamad Suhaimi Bin Sukiman, Cheok Xue Ting, Selva Raju S/O Arumugam
Image credit: President’s Challenge

Everyone has a role to play in the President’s Challenge

You don’t have to be someone famous, or a piano pong expert, to play a part in the President’s Challenge (IYKYK). It can be as simple as motivating and uplifting those around you, or volunteering in one of the many initiatives being supported by the President’s Challenge.

Or by making a small donation. Every dollar raised goes to the beneficiaries.

What is the President’s Challenge Night?

President Tharman Shanmugaratnam performed a “piano pong” routine with former national paddler Ethan Poh and piano prodigy Kyan Lee during the President’s Challenge Night 2025.
Image credit: Ministry of Digital Development and Information

If you’ve wondered why you haven’t heard about the President’s Star Charity in a while, it’s because Mediacorp’s annual fundraiser was renamed the President’s Challenge Night last year. The name has changed, but the purpose remains the same: to support, recognise, and inspire every one of us to uplift others – especially those who have had a harder journey.

Image credit: Mediacorp 

Our logo: The cycle of unity and respect

The refreshed President’s Challenge also comes with a new logo, arising from a competition among students from our local Polytechnics, ITEs, and the University of the Arts Singapore.

In the winning logo by Xandrea Alfie Isa of Temasek Polytechnic, the letters P and C intertwine in a continuous loop, symbolising an unbreakable cycle of unity and inclusivity.

Find out more about the President’s Challenge

This post was brought to you by the President’s Challenge, supported by the National Council of Social Service.