We promote the concept of developing a national strategy for the development of philanthropy

We promote the concept of developing a national philanthropy strategy, which should include a reliable diagnosis of the current situation, an analysis of the needs of donors from various groups, and new legislative solutions, including incentives and facilitations for donors.  We have already held a series of meetings on this matter, including with Minister for Civil Society Agnieszka Buczyńska, Minister for Civil Society Adriana Porowska, Director of the National Institute of Freedom Michał Braun, and the team of the Department of Civil Society at the Chancellery of the Prime Minister.

Crises such as the pandemic, the war in Ukraine, and recently the floods have clearly shown that Poland needs philanthropists—active citizens who donate their private funds to help others. It is thanks to private individuals and companies that social organizations can quickly provide assistance when it is needed. With private funds, organizations could also build their potential and capacity to engage the local community, build democracy, and strengthen social resilience.  

Unfortunately, the public and private funds currently available are insufficient and do not allow for long-term capacity building of the third sector or local communities. In addition, the situation of Polish social organizations has worsened due to President Trump's decision to immediately freeze US foreign aid funds. Many organizations that benefited from US funds (USAID) found themselves overnight unable to continue their activities and with legitimate fears for their survival. In a broader sense, Polish organizations are also weakened by their strenuous work during the crises of recent years and the lack of adequate support. As a result, we are at risk of not being able to cope as a country and society in the event of further crises.

Therefore, urgent action is needed to strengthen Polish organizations and increase the pool of funds available for social activities. As the Donors Forum, we have already declared our readiness to initiate and coordinate work on a national strategy for the development of philanthropy in 2024, with the aim of increasing the pool of private funds donated by citizens to public causes. The national strategy for the development of philanthropy should include, among other things, education and promotion, incentives for citizens to financially support public causes, research and analysis, and public-private partnerships. The specific actions included in the strategy should inspire and mobilize the widest possible group of citizens, including small donors, wealthy citizens, philanthropic institutions, and companies. The strategy should be developed in close cooperation and dialogue between non-governmental organizations, entrepreneurs, experts, and the government. It is worth emphasizing that we need the involvement and support of the government, because thanks to this, the dialogue between stakeholders will cover all three sectors, and the results of the work will have a real chance of being implemented. It would also be a clear signal to citizens that the Polish state appreciates philanthropic attitudes and wants to promote them.

The creation of a national strategy for the development of philanthropy would also fulfill the promise made to civil society by representatives of the Civic Coalition, Third Way, and Left parties. In the agreements signed with the Donors Forum and OFOP in September 2023, the issue of philanthropy was addressed as follows:

"[...] We declare that we will take programmatic and legislative measures leading to reform of the rules for financing social activities and supporting philanthropy, including increasing the availability of other sources of financing, creating a system of tax incentives for private donors and an introduction of incentives for making financial donations of significant value (e.g., over PLN 1 million). [...]."