Definition of Community Foundations
Community Foundations in Poland are independent philanthropic organizations. They collect, manage and redistribute donations from a wide range of mainly local donors to meet important needs of local community. The main goal of CFs is to improve the quality of life in a specific geographic area, usually a town or a county. Community Foundations do this by involving local citizens and by generating new permanent resources, as well as by building partnerships among local businesses, local authorities and non-profit organizations. What provides Community Foundations sustainability is endowed funds contributed by many donors which will be used for charitable purposes (e.g. grants to local non-profit organizations in order to strengthen NGO sector in local level or scholarships to poor talented young people in order to accelerate development of local community). An endowment also gives community foundation`s donors the guarantee that their help will have a long-term consequences to the future. The capital endowment is composed of several donations to be allocated at financing specific purposes, the so-called restricted funds.
Community Foundations are something very new in Poland. First organizations of this type were established in 1998 and although they have only four - year experience they have impressive achievements. Those CFs, which exist longest have 4.683.000 zlotys of endowment. In their councils are local businessmen, representatives of NGO sector, journalists and local authorities. CFs run local grant programs, scholarship programs for talented poor youth, organize training courses for various groups of citizens. They often become main animators of local activity and only source of financing initiatives of small local organizations and groups.
Grant Programs
All Community Foundations operating in Poland announce every year grant programs. Since 1999 they have given 1024 grants worth over 1.305.000 zlotys. CFs donate various initiatives, from those for children and youth to those for elderly people.
Scholarship Programs
Almost all Community Foundations run their own scholarship programs. 1724 scholarships were given. Their value was over 1.520.000 zlotys.
Promotion of Philanthropy
Community Foundation do not forget about their benefactors and promotion of philanthropy. Some organize charity balls for their sponsors, some concerts on which local VIPs are artist. The way of thanksgiving is often competition for the title of philanthropist of the year, benefactor or donator, which aim is to celebrate those, who help the weakest. Such a competitions are organized by CFs from Elbląg, Sokółka, Bystrzyca Kłodzka, Nidzica and Tomaszów.
Sample structure of endowment
