Founder of Giveinstead.sg, Shoken Tsurumaru, Honoured with Icons of Change International Youth Award 2026

At the Icons of Change International Awards 2026, Shoken Tsurumaru, founder of Giveinstead.sg and FURAPERA, was honoured as a Young Changemaker in Social Innovation, Inclusive Philanthropy, and Community Empowerment for his contributions towards Sustainable Development Goal 17: Partnerships for the Goals.

At a time when communities are seeking new ways to strengthen social solidarity, Shoken is reimagining philanthropy by making generosity a natural part of everyday life. Guided by the belief that giving should be simple, joyful, and accessible to everyone, he has created community-driven initiatives that transform celebrations and local partnerships into lasting social impact. His work demonstrates that meaningful change does not always begin with large institutions, it can begin with ordinary people choosing to give together.

Founded in 2023, Giveinstead.sg is Singapore’s leading celebratory charitable giving platform, helping individuals dedicate birthdays, anniversaries, and other milestones to charitable causes instead of traditional gifts. Through its free, volunteer-run concierge service, the platform removes many of the practical barriers that prevent people from giving, allowing every dollar donated to go directly to beneficiaries while creating a transparent, trusted, and meaningful giving experience.

Today, Giveinstead.sg has mobilised more than 1,000 donors, raised over S$250,000, partnered with 30 charities, and positively impacted more than 8,000 lives across five countries. By supporting organisations working in healthcare, eldercare, youth development, education, food security, and community welfare, the platform demonstrates how innovation can strengthen existing social support systems while encouraging everyday citizens to become active contributors to the common good.

Beyond Singapore, Shoken expanded his vision by founding FURAPERA, a community initiative supporting Furano, Hokkaido, Japan. Working alongside local nonprofit organisations, FURAPERA addresses food insecurity, educational opportunity, youth development, and the needs of small local businesses. Through partnerships with organisations such as Food Bank Furano, Miraito, and the Kanaelle Project, the initiative supports hot meal programmes, food pantry services, educational activities, and youth empowerment programmes that strengthen long-term community resilience.

Recognising that sustainable communities are built through opportunity as well as assistance, FURAPERA also provides translation support for local businesses, helping them overcome language barriers and connect with international visitors. The initiative has become Food Bank Furano’s largest fundraising partner, securing funding for vital community programmes while creating new opportunities for young people and families to thrive.

What distinguishes Shoken’s leadership is his ability to combine compassion with practical innovation. Rather than asking society to give more, he encourages people to give differently by integrating generosity into moments people already celebrate. His initiatives create systems that are scalable, community-driven, and easy for individuals, families, schools, charities, and businesses to embrace. Through thoughtful design and meaningful partnerships, he has shown how small acts of kindness, repeated consistently, can create lasting social impact.

The Award recognised that Shoken’s work advances Sustainable Development Goal 17: Partnerships for the Goals by building meaningful collaboration between charities, volunteers, businesses, schools, and communities across national borders. His initiatives also contribute to reducing inequalities, strengthening local communities, improving food security, expanding educational opportunities, and fostering a culture of active citizenship through inclusive partnerships.

In honouring Shoken Tsurumaru with the Icons of Change International Youth Award 2026, the Icons of Change International Awards recognise a young leader whose vision is transforming the way people experience generosity. Through innovation, empathy, and community collaboration, he has demonstrated that lasting social change begins when giving becomes part of everyday life.

His work reminds us that every celebration can become an opportunity to uplift others, and that the smallest acts of kindness, when shared by many, have the power to create a more compassionate, connected, and sustainable future.