First-of-its-kind partnership leverages SMRT’s nationwide transport network and advertising spaces to help IPCs expand their reach

SMRT Corporation Ltd and the Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth (MCCY) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to support Singapore’s charity sector through a new corporate social responsibility initiative. The partnership seeks to strengthen fundraising and volunteer outreach for charities with Institution of a Public Character (IPC) status by giving them access to high visibility public platforms.

Under the initiative, SMRT will contribute up to S$1 million over a period of three years to support IPC outreach and fundraising campaigns.

IPCs will be invited to submit campaign proposals and outreach ideas. Selected IPCs will work with Stellar Ace, SMRT’s advertising arm, to run campaigns across SMRT’s advertising network. This includes advertising spaces at MRT stations along the North-South, East-West, and Circle Lines, as well as Bukit Panjang LRT Line. Stellar Ace also manages all the bus shelter advertising panels in Singapore. These platforms can potentially help IPCs reach a significantly wider audience. MCCY will also support outreach to IPCs through its networks.  

Through this collaboration, SMRT and MCCY aim to raise awareness of the important work carried out by charities in Singapore. By providing IPCs with larger publicity platforms and more accessible outreach channels, both parties hope to encourage stronger community participation and foster a deeper culture of giving.

Interested IPCs can visit www.stellarace.com.sg/csr to find out more about the initiative.

The MOU was signed by Ms Teoh Zsin Woon, Permanent Secretary, MCCY, and Mr Ngien Hoon Ping, Group Chief Executive Officer of SMRT Corporation. The signing ceremony was witnessed by Mr David Neo, Acting Minister for Culture, Community and Youth & Senior Minister of State for Education, and Mr Seah Moon Ming, Chairman of SMRT Corporation. 

SMRT’s support for this initiative is funded through savings generated from its Kaizen projects. Over the past three years, SMRT has channelled savings from such staff-led improvement initiatives back into the community. In 2025, SMRT contributed about $700,000 to SG Enable to support persons with disabilities.  Every year, SMRT commits close to $1 million towards community-focused initiatives.

SMRT’s Kaizen culture emphasises continuous improvement driven by ground-up ideas from employees to enhance productivity, safety, and the commuter experience. Savings generated from these efforts are reinvested into operations and maintenance, particularly engineering capabilities, with a portion set aside to support meaningful causes.

“Public transport is more than a way to get from one place to another. It is part of daily life, and MRT stations and the bus network are shared spaces where communities can connect. Through this collaboration, we hope to help IPCs share their stories, reach more people, and inspire support for the causes they champion. This reflects our commitment to Doing Right, Doing Good and Doing Well. We are motivated by how we can use our network to uplift people in the community and support causes that make a meaningful difference,” said Mr. Ngien Hoon Ping, Group Chief Executive Officer, SMRT Corporation.

New Partnership Between SMRT and National Gallery Singapore    

SMRT also inked its first MOU with National Gallery Singapore, marking an exciting new partnership that will see Stellar ACE’s advertising platforms across SMRT’s network used to promote art, culture and public engagement, bringing the Gallery's exhibitions and campaigns closer to commuters islandwide. The partnership reflects a shared commitment to making art and culture more accessible, connecting commuters with the Gallery in the course of their everyday journeys.

The MOU was signed by Mr Tony Heng, President of Stellar Lifestyle and Dr Eugene Tan, Chief Executive Officer and Director of National Gallery Singapore. The signing was witnessed by Mr David Neo, Acting Minister for Culture, Community and Youth & Senior Minister of State for Education, Mr Peter Ho, Chairman of National Gallery Singapore and Mr Seah Moon Ming, Chairman of SMRT Corporation.

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Annex: SMRT Chairman Mr Seah Moon Ming's Opening Remarks