Council on Foundations International Committee Meeting October, 2007 Prešov Community Foundation: Engaging Slovak Communities: Lessons Learned

Slovakia facts Slovak Republic- the „best kept secret“ in Europe   Facts   History   Economy   Administration   Philanthropy and the non-profit sector   Environment for giving

Community Foundations in Slovakia facts History   Healthy City Community Foundation in Banská Bystrica   Prešov, Trenčín, Pezinok   community foundations Facts   Slovak CFs cover over 40% of the country   Since 1996 we have supported some projects with the total amount of ca. 50 million Slovak crowns (ca. 2,000,000 US dollars) The Association of Slovak Community Foundations

Community Development Issues of community development Legacy of the history of a post- socialistic country:   Poor civic engagement and patriotism   Poor sense of community and trust in community action Understanding of philanthropy and giving   New terminology   Issues of individual giving and corporate giving Development of Slovak non-profit sector   Volunteerism is not too popular   Non-profits reinvented after the Velvet Revolution in 1989   Unstable but growing

Challenges as adopted by community foundations Educate on philanthropy Foster basic civic engagement Be a community leader and support partnerships Basic approach: Do something!   to identify something manageable and reasonable   to tailor a challenge to the mission of a community foundation Challenges 1 2 3

Education on Philanthropy Who?   Potential donors   Public audience How?   Presentations, lectures, interviews, one-on-ones…   Print communications   Media   Giving programs Donors’ Clubs Education on Philanthropy 1

Mobilization of voters Involvement in countrywide and/ or regional education and mobilization campaigns   Voters   Local Governments   Youth OI3S- Civic Initiative of the Third Sector, Presov Initiatives to improve law and tax systems   Tax incentives related to giving   More involvement and partnership on the part of the government Campaign to sustain 2% income tax giving Social Justice 2

Community Leadership   Building bridges - building ties of donors to communities   Round tables- bringing people together around community issues   Sharing in-depth knowledge of community   Supporting sustainable self- help and involvement of volunteers   Helping to develop new organizations and programs   Re-directing funds as community needs change Program VIA Strategic planning processes in communities Community Leadership 3

.thank you. Katarina Minarova Prešov Community Foundation- Komunitná nadácia Prešov