Resorts World Sentosa will launch its inaugural RWS Cares Festival in August 2026, aiming to raise S$2 million in monetary and in-kind contributions for social and environmental causes in Singapore.

The two-day event will take place on 22 and 23 August and is designed to promote social inclusion, environmental sustainability and community participation.

What the Festival Includes

The festival will feature two main activities: the Steps of Hope Walkathon and the Green Living Fair.

The Steps of Hope Walkathon will take participants through some of RWS’ key attractions, including Universal Studios Singapore, WEAVE, Singapore Oceanarium and Adventure Cove Waterpark.

The Green Living Fair will showcase eco-friendly products, local brands, social enterprises, workshops, interactive booths and performances by artists of all abilities.

Together, the activities are expected to engage around 4,000 participants.

Supporting the President’s Challenge

RWS aims to raise S$2 million through the festival, including S$700,000 for the President’s Challenge.

Every ticket sold for the Steps of Hope Walkathon will go directly to the President’s Challenge, and RWS will match every dollar raised during the festival.

The supported beneficiaries include Autism Resource Centre (Singapore), TomoWork and MILK (Mainly I Love Kids) Fund.

The funds will support adults on the autism spectrum, youths-at-risk and persons with disabilities through employment, education and career-readiness programmes.

What RWS Said

Loh Su Kim, Chief Strategy and Sustainability Officer of Resorts World Sentosa, said the RWS Cares Festival reflects the company’s ambition to be a “national platform for inclusion and action.”

She added that the goal is to bring communities together to connect, participate and contribute, while also supporting inclusion and environmental sustainability.

This is an important message because CSR today is no longer only about donations. It is about creating platforms where the public, businesses, employees and beneficiaries can participate together.

Why This Matters

RWS is one of Singapore’s most visible integrated resort destinations. By using its attractions and public spaces for a community event, it can bring greater attention to social and environmental causes.

This approach makes CSR more engaging.

Instead of only publishing sustainability reports or writing donation cheques, RWS is turning social responsibility into a live community experience.

Participants can walk, learn, support local social enterprises, enjoy family activities and contribute to meaningful causes at the same time.

The Marketing Lesson

From a marketing perspective, RWS Cares Festival shows how purpose can become part of brand experience.

Modern customers increasingly expect large brands to contribute to society in visible and meaningful ways.

However, the strongest CSR campaigns are not just about publicity. They should connect real beneficiaries, measurable fundraising goals, public participation and long-term partnerships.

RWS is doing this by linking the festival to the President’s Challenge, supporting specific beneficiary groups and committing to a three-year partnership.

Original Insight: CSR Works Better When It Becomes Participatory

The key insight is that CSR becomes more powerful when people can take part.

A donation is good. But a donation combined with participation, education, family activity and public awareness can create stronger emotional connection.

RWS Cares Festival works because it brings together multiple layers: fundraising, inclusion, sustainability, education, local social enterprises and resort experiences.

This makes the initiative more memorable and more likely to build long-term community trust.

Final Takeaway

Resorts World Sentosa’s RWS Cares Festival is more than a charity event.

It is a community platform that connects social inclusion, environmental sustainability and public participation.

For the integrated resort industry, the lesson is clear: responsible business should not sit quietly in the background. It should be built into the customer experience, employee culture and community relationship.

The strongest hospitality brands of the future will not only deliver entertainment and luxury. They will also use their platforms to create positive social impact.