Feedback sought by Commissioner of Charities on charity via social media

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http://www.businesstimes.com.sg/premium/singapore/feedback-sought-charity-social-media-20131005

As more people use social media platforms to raise funds for individual causes - such as appeals to offset a sick child's medical expenses or an accident victim's hospital bills - the Commissioner of Charities (COC) is looking to fine-tune its regulatory framework, and is seeking public feedback on the proposed changes.

For one, COC is thinking of distinguishing between fund-raising for charitable institutions, and fund-raising for individual causes - a distinction which would shape each category's regulatory requirements differently.

By classifying fund-raising for individual causes as private gifts rather than charitable donations, beneficiaries would be exempted from the need to maintain detailed records of all collections and expenses, or the need to seek donors' or COC's consent for the alternative use of donations when the original purposes are no longer applicable.

An example of the latter: suppose money is raised for an individual's medical expenses, but he passes away soon after. Under the existing regulations, if there are leftover funds following the beneficiary's demise, the family is obligated to make a refund to the donors, or re-direct the funds for other similar causes.