Singaporeanes puzzled as US Embassy asks local businesses for larger gifts for 250th Independence celebrations

SINGAPORE: A fundraising letter from the U.S. Embassy in Singapore has sparked discussion online, after it invited Singapore businesses to financially support celebrations marking major bilateral and historical milestones in 2026.

The letter, dated 8 January 2026 and signed by U.S. Ambassador Anjani Sinha, noted that the year would mark the 250th anniversary of American independence, describing it as “a major White House priority”.

It also highlighted that 4 April 2026 would commemorate 60 years of U.S.-Singapore diplomatic relations, framing the year as a significant milestone for both countries.

“Throughout 2026, we plan to celebrate these milestones with our friends in Singapore to honour the partnership between our two nations,” the Embassy wrote in the letter.

To support the planned celebrations, the Embassy appealed to both American and Singaporean businesses for financial contributions, stating that private sector support would be essential.

“Our celebration will depend on the generosity of American and Singaporean businesses,” the letter said, adding that such contributions would help honour shared history and encourage future cooperation.

Online attention focused on one line in particular, which encouraged partners “to consider substantially larger gifts than in previous years in support of our 250th anniversary”.

The letter circulated on social media platforms and discussion forums, prompting questions from members of the public about the scale and nature of the request.

Embassy says outreach follows global practice

In response to queries from local media, a U.S. Embassy spokesperson said the outreach was consistent with long-standing practice across American diplomatic missions.

“We plan to host a July 4 celebration befitting the day America celebrates as the most important milestone in our country’s history—250 years of American Independence,” the spokesperson said.

The spokesperson added that private sector support is routinely sought for such events, noting that “every American Embassy around the world does [this] every year for Independence Day”.

According to the Embassy, companies with business ties to the United States or the Embassy often participate, sometimes as part of their corporate social responsibility initiatives.

Steven Okun, founder of APAC Advisors Singapore, echoed this view in a LinkedIn post, stating that U.S. embassies have traditionally relied on support from American businesses and, at times, host-country firms with a strong U.S. presence.

“Traditionally, U.S. Embassies across the world host an Independence Day reception funded by the American business community and at times host-country companies with a significant presence in the US,” he wrote.

Critics question appropriateness of request

However, the request also drew criticism from some commentators, including Leslie Fong, former editor of The Straits Times.

In comments shared publicly, Fong questioned why a foreign mission would seek “substantial financial contributions” from businesses in its host country to fund national celebrations.

He said he found it unusual for embassies to ask host-country entities to help pay for what he described as “the parties they want to throw”.

Fong further contrasted the fundraising appeal with the scale of U.S. government spending, arguing that it appeared incongruous for a global superpower to seek external financial support for celebratory events.

Online discussions on platforms such as Reddit and Facebook reflected similarly mixed sentiments.

Some users expressed scepticism about Singapore firms being asked to contribute, with several pointing to Singapore’s trade surplus with the United States and the existing economic benefits accruing to American businesses.

Others characterised the tone of the request as heavy-handed, with one comment likening it to “bully vibes” and another mocking it as a demand linked to a birthday celebration.

At the same time, some users defended the Embassy’s approach, noting that fundraising for diplomatic events is not uncommon.

One comment suggested that many embassies engage in similar outreach and rely on companies with close links to the country or mission, often under the banner of relationship-building or corporate social responsibility.

The Embassy has not disclosed the targeted fundraising amount or how contributions would be tiered among sponsors.