4ST Partnership Fund
The 4ST Partnership Fund mobilises the social service sector to co-develop solutions that improve the quality of life of service users. It offers two funding tracks: Seed funding for turning innovative ideas into working prototypes, and Grow funding for scaling proven solutions to reach more users. Grow track projects also receive a separate evaluation budget and must adopt NCSS Service Standards and the Sector Evaluation Framework.
Eligibility Criteria
- 01
Seed: SSAs, social enterprises, or ground-up groups collaborating with another entity. Non-charities must declare the project is not-for-profit and serves local communities
- 02
Grow: Lead applicant must be an NCSS member with IPC status, collaborating with another entity or individual
- 03
Non-NCSS members including social enterprises and ground-up groups can apply as co-applicants
- 04
Organisations without charity status must declare the project is not-for-profit
How to Apply
1. Check eligibility for Seed or Grow track 2. Stage 1: Submit a brief concept note outlining your project idea 3. If shortlisted, Stage 2: Submit the full application form with further details 4. Seed deliverables: articulate proof of concept, refine value proposition, share learnings with the wider sector 5. Grow deliverables: adopt NCSS Service Standards, achieve Sector Evaluation Framework outcomes, submit evaluation research reports, and complete OHFSS assessment
Claims and Disbursement
Claims submitted based on project deliverables. Grow track requires evaluation research reports and OHFSS assessment completion.
Frequently Asked Questions
A fund that supports social service projects through two tracks: Seed funding (up to $50k for prototyping) and Grow funding (up to $400k/year for scaling proven solutions), with a separate evaluation budget.
Seed is for turning an innovative idea into a working prototype and testing feasibility (up to 1 year, $50k). Grow is for further developing, validating, or scaling a proven solution to reach more users (up to 3 years, $400k/year plus $80k evaluation budget).
Yes. For Seed, social enterprises can apply directly. For Grow, they can apply as co-applicants alongside an NCSS member with IPC status.
Related Grants
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SG60 Towards Sustainability Fund
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One-off grant of $30,000 per agency
The SG60 Towards Sustainability Fund recognises the contributions of social service agencies to Singapore and supports them in building capabilities for measuring, monitoring, and reporting programme effectiveness. Stronger outcomes reporting enables SSAs to scale high-impact programmes and attract more resources from funders. Each eligible agency receives a one-off grant of $30,000.
Organisation Health Diagnostic Scheme (OHDS)
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Up to 80% co-funding of diagnostic costs
The Organisation Health Diagnostic Scheme helps social service agencies identify areas for improvement through an in-depth organisational health analysis conducted by Korn Ferry, NCSS's appointed consultant. Agencies receive a 3-year strategy document with recommended strategies to strengthen their organisation. This scheme is often a prerequisite for the Transformation Sustainability Scheme (TSS) Part A and B applications.
Professional Capability Grant (PCG) — Open Grant
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Single agency: up to 80% of approved cost, max $100,000. Multi-agency: up to 100%, max $200,000. Clinical supervision: up to 80%, max $100,000 over 2 years.
The Open Grant empowers initiatives within the social service sector to enhance professional capabilities through diverse projects, including clinical supervision. It supports agencies in engaging external consultants for clinical supervision, fostering the growth of social workers, case workers, counsellors, and psychologists. Projects must be one-off and non-recurring. Multi-agency collaborative projects receive higher funding caps.
SportCares Communities of Care (COC) Grants
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Starter Grant: Up to $50,000 for 1 year; Development Grant: Up to $200,000 in Year 1 (3-year timeline with decreasing funding)
The SportCares Communities of Care (COC) Grants support individuals and organisations who are focused on using sport as a tool for community development. The grants support long-term, regular programmes that empower the vulnerable and underserved through sport, foster equal access to sports opportunities, promote innovative and collaborative efforts using sport to build communities and achieve social inclusion. The programme offers two types of grants: Starter Grant for individuals and groups seeking seed funding for smaller scale programmes, and Development Grant for intermediary organisations running holistic, larger-scale programmes with multi-year funding that decreases each year.
Transformation Sustainability Scheme (TSS)
NCSS
Up to 80% co-funding: Part A (consultancy) up to $250,000; Part B (bespoke digital) up to $150,000; Part C (pre-scoped solutions) up to $150,000 total ($40,000 per solution)
The Transformation Sustainability Scheme (TSS) provides funding to social service agencies for consultancy, digital projects, and project implementation support. It focuses on strengthening seven critical organisational health areas: Strategy & Leadership, Governance, People, Finances, Digitalisation, Communications & Partnerships, and User-Centric Services. Previously funded through the Tech-and-GO! scheme, TSS offers up to 80% co-funding across three components — consultancy and headcount support, bespoke digitalisation projects, and pre-scoped solutions like HR systems, CRMs, and cybersecurity tools.