VU Foundation Receives Nearly One Million Euros in Philanthropic Contributions from Existing Donors

Dovilė & Elijus Burgis, the Piskarskas family, Ina & Darius Zubas, and Reda & Alvydas Žabolis are donating €0.9 million to the Vilnius University (VU) Endowment Fund. Marking its 10th anniversary in 2026, the philanthropic foundation aims to raise €10 million in donations this year from patrons who care about education and science in Lithuania.

“The VU Foundation continues its steady growth. This time, several founding families and long-standing donors are once again contributing additional funds. Such repeated contributions are a clear expression of trust in the Foundation’s work and of a commitment to strengthening a culture of philanthropy at the University by leading through example,” says VU Rector Prof. Rimvydas Petrauskas.

According to VU Foundation CEO Justinas Noreika, philanthropic contributions and commitments this year alone exceed €4 million, the investment portfolio value is rapidly approaching €25 million, and an unprecedented shift is taking place in the culture of philanthropy.

Reda and Alvydas Žabolis (personal archive photo)

“We are witnessing something of a renaissance in philanthropy in Lithuania. We are not only seeing unprecedented levels of patronage, but also the emergence of a strong social network around the University, bringing together leaders from science and business. We are pleased with the transformation underway and the positive impact it is having on Lithuania’s education and research ecosystem,” says Foundation CEO J. Noreika.

For socially beneficial purposes, namely funding Vilnius University, from investment returns and targeted donations, the Foundation has already allocated nearly €2.5 million. Dozens of researchers have been funded, over one hundred scholarships awarded, and scientific research and community initiatives supported.

Darius and Ina Zubas (Ugnius Bagdonavičius photo)

Since its establishment, the Foundation has provided ongoing funding and one-time bonuses to nearly 30 talented Lithuanian and international researchers in economics, political science, physics, philosophy, philology, history, medicine, and life sciences. The funded researchers have defended doctoral dissertations at prestigious universities including Oxford (UK), Cambridge (UK), Virginia (USA), Concordia (Canada), Bologna (Italy), Zurich (Switzerland), and others.

According to J. Noreika, supporting scientific talent is effective not only in an academic context but also financially: researchers supported by the Foundation successfully apply for and win prestigious grants. It is estimated that these researchers have already attracted over €3 million in funding, further strengthening their positions in the scientific community.

Dovilė and Elijus Burgis (personal archive photo)

“Today, critical thinking fostered in strong universities forms the foundation of a resilient, informed society capable of meeting future challenges. The Vilnius University Foundation is a visionary and strategically important philanthropic initiative for Lithuania. For our family, this is a priority area of giving, and one we intend to continue supporting,” say Dovilė and Elijus Burgis, who have doubled their family’s contribution to the VU Foundation.

Over ten years, the VU Foundation has awarded more than 100 scholarships to promising students. These were granted to students of medicine, dentistry, and laser physics, talented master’s students from non-EU countries, the most civic-minded and active students, and representatives of socially vulnerable groups.

Prof. Algis Petras Piskarskas (1942–2022) (E. Blažys / LRT photo)

According to the Foundation CEO, additional funding allows students to spend less time seeking employment and focus more on their studies, as well as easing their daily living costs.

The Foundation has financed dozens of research projects and community initiatives. A major share of the funds has been allocated to chronoepigenomics research. Significant attention has also been given to studies of the history of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania and other periods, ideas in dentistry research, and the development of microfluidic technologies. According to J. Noreika, the areas funded often reflect the interests of the donors themselves.

VU Foundation CEO Justinas Noreika (Ugnius Bagdonavičius photo)

In J. Noreika’s view, the VU Foundation provides an opportunity for society to engage in long-term strengthening of education and science. Donor support becomes a sustainable investment enabling Vilnius University to systematically improve the quality of research and studies, nurture talent, and increase international competitiveness.

The long-term goal is to allocate tens of millions of euros to education and science, take on more ambitious commitments, and strengthen Lithuania’s scientific position in the region and internationally, says J. Noreika.