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St. James’ Settlement’s CharityToday Becomes First Charity Platform Integrated with “iAM Smart”
St. James’ Settlement’s CharityToday Becomes First Charity Platform Integrated with “iAM Smart” 2025-10-13
Press Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
8 October 2025
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
8 October 2025
St. James’ Settlement’s CharityToday Becomes First Charity Platform
Integrated with “iAM Smart”
Simplifying Application process for Convenience Support
Integrated with “iAM Smart”
Simplifying Application process for Convenience Support
The one-stop assistance subsidy search and online application platform CharityToday, which is funded by the Social Innovation and Entrepreneurship Development Fund (SIE Fund) and operated by St. James' Settlement (SJS), has officially become the first charity platform to integrate with the “iAM Smart” one-stop personalised digital services platform to streamline user login and form filling, further enhancing convenience of assistance process.
Since its launch in 2022, CharityToday has leveraged technology with charitable services, enabling individuals in need to easily search for and apply for multiple assistance programmes online. Through the use of electronic payment tools, beneficiaries can receive subsidies with greater flexibility and convenience, and better preserve their dignity throughout the process.
The first phase of the programme was completed in June 2024, with over HKD 14 million in food assistance subsidies. This milestone reflects the platform’s significant impact in supporting underprivileged families across Hong Kong.
First Charity Project Platform Integrates with “iAM Smart”
The programme has entered its second phase, marked by the launch of two key enhancements aimed at expanding its reach and operational efficiency. First, a newly introduced online donation feature enables members of the public to contribute directly to the platform’s ongoing development and charitable efforts. Second, the platform is now fully integrated with the “iAM Smart”, significantly streamlining the application process for users. With this integration, individuals can register and log in to the CharityToday via “iAM Smart”, gaining access to a wide range of assistance programmes. Users can also monitor the status of their applications in real time. Whether accessing the platform through its website or mobile application, identity verification via “iAM Smart” ensures a seamless and efficient user experience.
Promoting Digital Development and Encouraging Resource Utilisation
In addition to the new online donation feature and integration with “iAM Smart”, the programme will further embrace digitalisation. Alongside the online donation function, an electronic vouchers feature will be introduced later to encourage individuals and corporations to use the platform to support a variety of charitable programmes. These enhancements aim to create a more flexible and inclusive giving experience.
To further improve accessibility, a centralised resource map is being developed to help users identify and engage with suitable support services. The platform will also feature automated receipt scanning and recognition, streamline the subsidy disbursement process and reduce administrative burden.
We also strengthen the collaboration with various community partners to extend its reach and ensure that more individuals in need can access timely and dignified support. These efforts will also help optimise the allocation of donations and charitable resources, driving greater social impact across the community.
Ms. Josephine Lee, Chief Executive Officer of St. James’ Settlement, remarked: “The vision behind CharityToday is rooted in convenience, choice, and dignity. We are pleased to collaborate with ‘iAM Smart’, which enables us to further enhance the accessibility of our support services through technology. Looking ahead, we aim to deepen the platform’s digital capabilities and strengthen partnerships within the community, ensuring our services remain responsive to the actual needs of beneficiaries while aligning with the government’s direction in promoting smart city initiatives.”
Since its launch in 2022, CharityToday has leveraged technology with charitable services, enabling individuals in need to easily search for and apply for multiple assistance programmes online. Through the use of electronic payment tools, beneficiaries can receive subsidies with greater flexibility and convenience, and better preserve their dignity throughout the process.
The first phase of the programme was completed in June 2024, with over HKD 14 million in food assistance subsidies. This milestone reflects the platform’s significant impact in supporting underprivileged families across Hong Kong.
First Charity Project Platform Integrates with “iAM Smart”
The programme has entered its second phase, marked by the launch of two key enhancements aimed at expanding its reach and operational efficiency. First, a newly introduced online donation feature enables members of the public to contribute directly to the platform’s ongoing development and charitable efforts. Second, the platform is now fully integrated with the “iAM Smart”, significantly streamlining the application process for users. With this integration, individuals can register and log in to the CharityToday via “iAM Smart”, gaining access to a wide range of assistance programmes. Users can also monitor the status of their applications in real time. Whether accessing the platform through its website or mobile application, identity verification via “iAM Smart” ensures a seamless and efficient user experience.
Promoting Digital Development and Encouraging Resource Utilisation
In addition to the new online donation feature and integration with “iAM Smart”, the programme will further embrace digitalisation. Alongside the online donation function, an electronic vouchers feature will be introduced later to encourage individuals and corporations to use the platform to support a variety of charitable programmes. These enhancements aim to create a more flexible and inclusive giving experience.
To further improve accessibility, a centralised resource map is being developed to help users identify and engage with suitable support services. The platform will also feature automated receipt scanning and recognition, streamline the subsidy disbursement process and reduce administrative burden.
We also strengthen the collaboration with various community partners to extend its reach and ensure that more individuals in need can access timely and dignified support. These efforts will also help optimise the allocation of donations and charitable resources, driving greater social impact across the community.
Ms. Josephine Lee, Chief Executive Officer of St. James’ Settlement, remarked: “The vision behind CharityToday is rooted in convenience, choice, and dignity. We are pleased to collaborate with ‘iAM Smart’, which enables us to further enhance the accessibility of our support services through technology. Looking ahead, we aim to deepen the platform’s digital capabilities and strengthen partnerships within the community, ensuring our services remain responsive to the actual needs of beneficiaries while aligning with the government’s direction in promoting smart city initiatives.”
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Photo Caption
Photo 1: CharityToday, the one-stop online platform developed by St. James’ Settlement for searching and applying for charitable assistance, is now integrated with “iAM Smart”. Through the platform’s “Authentication” and “Form-Filling” functions, users can log in and have parts of their application forms automatically completed, making the process faster and more convenient
Photo 2: As part of its second-phase development, CharityToday, the one-stop online platform by St. James’ Settlement, has introduced a new online donation feature, inviting public contributions to support the initiative’s ongoing operations
About CharityToday
St. James' Settlement was funded by Social Innovation and Entrepreneurship Development Fund (SIE Fund) to launch CharityToday, a one-stop digital search and application system to pilot a new and first-of-its-kind charity operating model, in the hope of maximising the impact of poverty alleviation. The platform enables service users to conveniently search for available assistance schemes and submit applications online. Approved subsidies are disbursed directly to recipients via electronic wallets, allowing them to redeem or purchase designated goods or services from approved providers. This innovative approach not only enhances convenience and choice for beneficiaries but also upholds their dignity throughout the support process.
CharityToday website：https://charitytoday.hk
About the Social Innovation and Entrepreneurship Development Fund
Established in 2013, the Social Innovation and Entrepreneurship Development Fund (SIE Fund) operates under the supervision of the SIE Fund Task Force, which is set up under the Commission on Poverty. The Secretariat of the Task Force is housed within the Digital Policy Office under the Innovation, Technology and Industry Bureau.
The SIE Fund serves as a catalyst for social innovation in Hong Kong. By promoting innovative solutions and nurturing entrepreneurial spirit with a social purpose, the Fund aims to alleviate poverty and social exclusion, foster social inclusion, enhance the well-being of citizens, strengthen social cohesion, and generate positive social impact.
SIEF Fund website：https://www.sie.gov.hk/tc
About St. James’ Settlement
St. James’ Settlement began in 1949 as a club for boys and girls in a temple in Stone Nullah Lane, Wanchai. It was then developed into a six-storey building on Kennedy Road in 1963 to provide diversified services, including children and youth services, elderly services and rehabilitation services. In 1987, the headquarters was opened in Stone Nullah Lane so that the scope of services could be further extended. Our first centre outside Wanchai (named Central and Western District Elderly Community Centre) was established in 1990. Since then, different service centres have been developed and most of them are located along the north coast of Hong Kong Island, from The Belcher’s in Western to Hing Wah Estate in Chai Wan. In recent years, in view of society’s ever-changing needs, we have opened service centres in Kowloon and the New Territories. To date, our 114 service points are in operation across Hong Kong. St. James’ Settlement is serving more than 3.5 million person-times annually, and our target beneficiaries include children, teenagers, families, the elderly and people with disabilities.
St. James’ Settlement
Media Enquiries
Tel: (852) 2835 4321
Email: [email protected]
Photo 1: CharityToday, the one-stop online platform developed by St. James’ Settlement for searching and applying for charitable assistance, is now integrated with “iAM Smart”. Through the platform’s “Authentication” and “Form-Filling” functions, users can log in and have parts of their application forms automatically completed, making the process faster and more convenient
Photo 2: As part of its second-phase development, CharityToday, the one-stop online platform by St. James’ Settlement, has introduced a new online donation feature, inviting public contributions to support the initiative’s ongoing operations
About CharityToday
St. James' Settlement was funded by Social Innovation and Entrepreneurship Development Fund (SIE Fund) to launch CharityToday, a one-stop digital search and application system to pilot a new and first-of-its-kind charity operating model, in the hope of maximising the impact of poverty alleviation. The platform enables service users to conveniently search for available assistance schemes and submit applications online. Approved subsidies are disbursed directly to recipients via electronic wallets, allowing them to redeem or purchase designated goods or services from approved providers. This innovative approach not only enhances convenience and choice for beneficiaries but also upholds their dignity throughout the support process.
CharityToday website：https://charitytoday.hk
About the Social Innovation and Entrepreneurship Development Fund
Established in 2013, the Social Innovation and Entrepreneurship Development Fund (SIE Fund) operates under the supervision of the SIE Fund Task Force, which is set up under the Commission on Poverty. The Secretariat of the Task Force is housed within the Digital Policy Office under the Innovation, Technology and Industry Bureau.
The SIE Fund serves as a catalyst for social innovation in Hong Kong. By promoting innovative solutions and nurturing entrepreneurial spirit with a social purpose, the Fund aims to alleviate poverty and social exclusion, foster social inclusion, enhance the well-being of citizens, strengthen social cohesion, and generate positive social impact.
SIEF Fund website：https://www.sie.gov.hk/tc
About St. James’ Settlement
St. James’ Settlement began in 1949 as a club for boys and girls in a temple in Stone Nullah Lane, Wanchai. It was then developed into a six-storey building on Kennedy Road in 1963 to provide diversified services, including children and youth services, elderly services and rehabilitation services. In 1987, the headquarters was opened in Stone Nullah Lane so that the scope of services could be further extended. Our first centre outside Wanchai (named Central and Western District Elderly Community Centre) was established in 1990. Since then, different service centres have been developed and most of them are located along the north coast of Hong Kong Island, from The Belcher’s in Western to Hing Wah Estate in Chai Wan. In recent years, in view of society’s ever-changing needs, we have opened service centres in Kowloon and the New Territories. To date, our 114 service points are in operation across Hong Kong. St. James’ Settlement is serving more than 3.5 million person-times annually, and our target beneficiaries include children, teenagers, families, the elderly and people with disabilities.
St. James’ Settlement
Media Enquiries
Tel: (852) 2835 4321
Email: [email protected]
