The National Volunteer and Philanthropy Centre (NVPC) has released its inaugural National Corporate Purpose & Impact Study 2025, revealing that nearly 8 in 10 companies in Singapore believe they have a moral duty to support broader societal goals. The study, which surveyed 1,100 companies across nine industries, highlights a strong engagement in Corporate Purpose initiatives, particularly in the “People” impact area, with 94% participation.
The study indicates that all surveyed companies are involved in at least one of the five impact areas: People, Society, Governance, Environment, and Economic. Notably, 21% of companies are actively engaged across all five areas. The “Society” impact area, focusing on corporate volunteering and donations, presents growth opportunities, with 30% of companies currently participating.
A significant finding is the rise in median employee volunteer participation, which increased from 50% in 2021 to 70% in 2025. Additionally, the median value of donations grew to $10,000 in 2025, reflecting a deepening commitment to social causes.
The study underscores the importance of supportive leadership in fostering corporate impact. It found that whilst financial constraints are often cited as barriers, leadership commitment is the decisive factor in adopting Corporate Purpose initiatives. David Gomulya, an adviser for the study, noted, “The real barrier isn’t ‘can we afford this?’ but rather ‘do our leaders believe this matters?'”
NVPC’s CEO, Tony Soh, emphasised the growing recognition that a company’s long-term success is linked to its contributions to society and the environment. The study’s findings suggest that Singaporean companies are increasingly aligning their operations with broader social and environmental objectives, laying a foundation for enhanced corporate citizenship.
