Opportunity to tap the newly launched Singapore Centre for Social Enterprise (RaiSE)

RaiSE was launched on 27 May 2015.  In Channel News Asia”s report today, RaiSE will distribute $30m worth of grant and investments over 5 years to boost social enterprises. The requirements are a financial assessment, a compelling social objective and a proven sustainability of the business model.  The amount awarded depends on the maturity of the social enterprise.  Funding will support proof-of-concept.

RaiSE notes that many social enterprises face challenges such as talent, business know-how and funding.

SilverHairsClub has a clear objective of providing a platform for Singaporeans, over 45 to meet new and more friends.  It has been operating since Oct 2005, and we would be celebrating our 10th anniversary this Oct.  We have many activities.

1.  As a social enterprise, our EOs and ECs have organised numerous activities.  We have no lack of activities, as we believe in our concept of one member doing an activity during the life of his/her membership.  Some EOs have been organising and running activities for the last 10 years.

2.  Financially, SHC operates on a cost basis.  The Club does not collect membership fees, and as long as members are over 45, Singaporeans and PR, they are eligible to join as a member of SilverHairsClub.  We have been operating 10 years under this financial model.  Although we do not have a physical premise to call our own or rent from a landlord, we have managed well with public venues and private premises.

3.  In terms of management, we operate with minimal manpower.  Some of our key roles are membership admin, IT and hosting services and support services to our SilverHairsClub.com.  All other operations and management work are within the role of the EOs and ECs.

4.  With the existing model and concept, SHC can expand its social enterprise to other Singaporeans and PRs living within mainland Singapore.  Funding and assistance from RaiSE will widen our scope, our membership and sustain our activities.

What do you think?  Shall we actively seek assistance from RaiSE?  And what can you do be part of the committee to seek this assistance? Thinking.

Today’s article is available at http://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/singapore/new-agency-offers-funding/1876884.html

Terence Seah

Author: Terence Seah

Founder

4 thoughts on “Opportunity to tap the newly launched Singapore Centre for Social Enterprise (RaiSE)”

  1. Hi Terence,
    It’s a great challenge to try to migrate SHC to a social enterprise. If there are several skill providers, you can write a proposal and apply for funding for rent of premises and perhaps subsidies for learner’s fees. Payment of honorariums/fees for instructors can come from the fees the learners pay.

    I’ll try to think of a suitable skill I can teach and offer the class/course through the SH social enterprise. ?:)

    [image=lifelong.jpg]

  2. Hi Terence,
    Just sharing as I have incorporated Ageless Bicyclists and is now officially a social enterprise.
    Ageless Bicyclists creates and promotes healthy lifestyle programs to silver, youth; special/different needs communities and family members that includes, cycling; health education; exercises; and retreats. It organize outreach program and encourage senior and youth cycling interest groups to ride across the border to Johor (Malaysia). It also organizes short oversea trips to enhance go-green; intercultural experience; friendship; family bonding and quality of life. It promotes and facilitate volunteerism and community services.
    We are incubating a project LIFESTYLE Fitness Community. This is an integrated recreational cycling program especially for seniors that includes, functional physical screening; aerobic exercises; strength training; balance exercises; healthy lifestyle nutrition; inter-generation activities and retreats (local and overseas). Basically, is to enhance healthy active ageing.
    Well, go for it Terence, please note that the mission MUST HAVE A SOCIAL IMPACT!!!

  3. Thanks Malcolm for highlighting what you are doing.

    SHC has not used used “Social Enterprise” as its objective. Personally, I am vague on this category, what it means and in fact, we have not considered this direction when SilverHairsClub started. Along the way, things changed; and our EOs, ECs and members continue to use our objective as a guide to its activities.

    I think our members are comfortable with the objective; although I dont hear requests to turn SHC into a Social Enterprise. Over the last 10 years, our members focus very much on activities. There are some concerns of retirement, stretching the dollar as we live longer and keep healthy.

    Currently, SilverHairsClub.com is owned by SilverHairs Enterprise Pte Ltd, and this is very much for the purpose of engaging organisations and insitutions. This was structured some years back because members have not expressed interests in running SilverHairsClub. At that time, I decided the best solution was to park SilverHairsClub.com under SilverHairs Enterprise Pte Ltd.

    Whether as it is now or as a Social Enterprise, we try to run SHC with members’ coordinated efforts. But, it is stressful for the EOs and members’ support. We have been running this in this manner for the last 10 years.

    I thought it would be interesting to tap into RaiSE. I have to say the response to participate is not there. If a few members are keen to be pioneer members to push through the above, I too will support the idea. If not, we can take the status quo direction.

    Terence Seah

  4. Yes go for it Terence. at least get the fund to rent a place for members to meet, chat, relax, teach, play mind game etc.
    Once you have the place it will be easier for members to volunteer on rotation to take care of SHC/SHE activities

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