NextGen
PHILANTHROPISTS
From 23 to 27 June 2025, the Singapore Good Soil Foundation brought together 54 outstanding high school students from across Asia for the NextGen Philanthropy Leadership Program — a transformative week of learning, service, and leadership.
Now in its second year, the NextGen Program took place against the backdrop of SG60, Singapore’s 60th year of independence and in support of the SG Youth Plan, led by the National Youth Council. For participants from across the region, the week offered a rare opportunity to engage with real-world issues, and build connections with like-minded peers from diverse backgrounds.
Students took part in a rigorous yet engaging curriculum designed to expose them to the realities of nonprofit leadership. The learning was structured around three core themes: Purpose, Leadership, and Impact.
Leading much of the academic content was Mr Richard Buttrey, Director of Academic Programs at ARM, a renowned Technology company within Cambridge University. Mr Richard Buttrey provided guidance in a hands-on, mentorship style.
Complementing these technical insights was a deeply impactful leadership session by Mr Viswa Sadasivan, former Nominated Member of Parliament of Singapore and Managing Consultant of Strategic Moves Pte Ltd.
Throughout the week, students took part in hands-on service experiences and site visits that brought social issues to life. Students visited the Metropolitan YMCA (MYMCA), an operational social enterprise.
The week also included meaningful service visits to Ren Ci Nursing Home (Ang Mo Kio) and Sree Narayana Mission, where students volunteered with elderly residents. These sessions were led by student volunteers from the 2024 cohort, who returned to the program as Teaching Assistants.
The program’s final day culminated in the NextGen Charity Pitch. Each team presented their pitches to a live audience for a chance at winning seed funding from the Good Soil Foundation.
Member of Parliament Ms Lee Hui Ying joined the morning graduation ceremony as Guest of Honour.
In the afternoon, Ms Mariam Jaafar, Member of Parliament served as Guest of Honour for the Charity Pitch. Ms Mariam is the Grassroots Adviser for Woodlands GROs, Managing Director and Senior Partner, Boston Consulting Group.
The winning pitch, Newgen, addressed the mounting problem of textile waste by turning discarded fabrics into customisable stuffed animals. Grounded in the Cradle-to-Cradle sustainability framework and driven by a spirit of creativity and inclusivity, the team proposed a circular solution that transforms textile waste collected from schools into plush companions padded with recycled fabric. Their pitch stood out for its imaginative, scalable, and socially conscious approach to environmental sustainability.
This year’s cohort will now return to their schools and communities equipped with the tools, networks, and mindset to carry their projects forward. Several teams have already expressed interest in continuing their charity ideas beyond the program, with support from alumni mentors and local partners.
With its emphasis on values, vision, and community, the NextGen program is more than just a camp. It is a growing movement that affirms the future of philanthropy, leadership, and civic life is not only bright, but already in capable hands.
To cultivate the next generation of future philanthropists and social entrepreneurs, driven by a shared commitment to transforming lives and advancing the public good.
