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Interview with our new Polish TGE partner


The TGE team interviewed Kaja Petryka-Siemiończyk, Coordinator, from The Academy for the Development of Philanthropy in Poland (ADPP)

Publication date: 25 Nov 2020

PRESENTING THE ACADEMY

TGE – Could you introduce The Academy for the Development of Philanthropy in a few words? 

Ms. Petryka-Siemiończyk – ADPP is a non-profit organization which in its twenty years’ history has been trying to entice people to organize themselves around socially important issues, and to help them understand how to act together. We try to inspire and show how to make a positive change. We combine global goals with local activities. 

TGE – Could you give us some examples of programs or actions you have recently led or implemented? Where are they taking place (in Poland, abroad)?

Ms. Petryka-Siemiończyk – The range of our programs is addressed to residents of small towns and villages and covers ¼ of municipalities in Poland. In the Act Locally program, we run a network of 72 Act Locally Centres which, through educational activities and grants, supports local initiatives. In PAFF Local Partnerships we teach how to build partnerships for the common good. In the latest Academy’s initiative Global Challenges Local Solutions, we provide support to organizations from all over Europe that want to act locally for Sustainable Development Goals. ADPP is also responsible for implementing and promoting Giving Circle model in Poland. Since 2016, when the idea emerged, we have supported the organization of 19 events across Poland. We also run programs that support corporate social responsibility, encourage celebrities to social activities and promote socially engaged individuals. 

TGE – How would you describe the charitable sector and philanthropic giving in Poland? What are the main particularities of the Polish philanthropic environment? 

Ms. Petryka-Siemiończyk – In the recent years, Poland experienced a remarkable increase in the formation of nonprofit organizations. They mostly provide social services, educational services, sports and recreational activities. Nevertheless, despite their growing importance in the social structure and their growing capacity as providers of professional services, Polish nonprofit organizations still have not succeeded in attracting the longstanding attention and widespread recognition of their goals. The third sector in Poland needs to develop in an innovative way, creating and implementing new tools addressing the needs of society, and we believe that our joining the TGE Network is one big step forward. 

ON TGE AND CROSS-BORDER PHILANTHROPY

TGE – Why did the Academy decide to join TGE and what do you expect from it? How do you see this helping Polish donors and Polish nonprofit organizations? 

Ms. Petryka-Siemiończyk – ADPP is a well-established and publicly recognized organization which is able to receive and transfer gifts of a significant amount. Thanks to this partnership established with Transnational Giving Europe Network we will be able to promote the cross-border philanthropy in Poland as well as in the region. We are convinced that our cooperation with the TGE Network will advance philanthropy movement, by attracting more donors, and initiating more innovative projects across Poland, in our region, and all of Europe. 

TGE – What are the fiscal benefits for a Polish donor using TGE? Does Poland have other tax incentives for giving?

Ms. Petryka-Siemiończyk – Polish tax law foresees tax incentives for donations to public-benefit foundations. According to Polish Income Tax Act or Corporate Income Tax Act the donor can deduct the amount of the donation in his/her tax declaration (tax deduction) in the following way:

Taxpayers of personal income tax can deduct the amount of certain donations from their taxable basis up to 6% of the taxable income (no limits for support to Roman Catholic Church). A donation is deductible if the recipient organisation conducts public-benefit activities and is a nongovernmental organisation (as defined in the Act on Public Benefit and Volunteer Work) or a corporate entity or organisation operating against provisions on relations between the State and the Catholic Church in the Republic of Poland, on the State position on other churches and religious unions, and on the guaranteed freedom of conscience and religion, should their statutory objectives encompass public-benefit work or a local authority organisation unions.

There are no strict limitations regarding the type of organisation to which donations may be made; the only restriction is that a donation, in order to qualify for tax exemption, may not be made to natural persons; entities engaged in the production of alcoholic beverages, fuels, tobacco, electronic devices, precious metals; or entities engaged in the trade of precious metals.

Corporate donors can deduct the amount of their gifts from their taxable basis up to 10% of the taxable income (no limits for support to Roman Catholic Church).

Polish tax law does not make a distinction according to whether the recipient public-benefit foundation is resident in Poland or in another EU or EEA country. However, donations to foundations based in other countries are excluded. The foreign EU or EEA based public-benefit foundation must fulfil all legal requirements that a resident foundation has to fulfil.

Taxpayers of personal income tax can deduct from their taxable base certain donations for the benefit of organisations equivalent to Polish public-benefit organisations specified in the provisions regulating public-benefit activities applicable in an EU Member State other than Poland or other state belonging to European Economic Area, which conduct a public-benefit activity in the field of public tasks and which realise these tasks.

TGE – What do you think about the concept of a TGE Online Giving Platform? 

Ms. Petryka-Siemiończyk – The concept of a TGE Online Giving Platform offers a tool to easily support socially important issues of people regardless of their location, which is essential in these fast-changing times. The possibility to connect European donors and the non-profit sector indicates the new, innovative direction that the philanthropy sector is pursuing, and we are very happy to be part of it.

THE ACADEMY’S NEXT STEPS

TGE – How is The Academy dealing with the current pandemic situation? Do you have some specific initiatives happening for the moment? 

Ms. Petryka-Siemiończyk – We try our best to adjust our programs and activities to the current situation. Our projects have not stopped, and since the beginning of the pandemic we have redirected some of them towards the fight with negative social consequences of pandemic, such as lockdown and social distancing. 

TGE – What are the next steps for The Academy? Your projects for the future and in relation with TGE? 

Ms. Petryka-Siemiończyk – We are now in the process of planning the promotional campaign of TGE-ADPP cooperation, our goal is to spread the concept of transnational giving in our region and engage all interested parties into this new an innovative kind of philanthropy.

Get in touch with the Academy

To learn more about European transnational giving in Poland, get in touch with our Polish partner.

Address: Marszałkowska Street 6/6, 00-590 Warsaw, Poland

Phone number: +48 22 622 01 22

Email address: [email protected]

Website: https://www.filantropia.org.pl/eng