{"id":242786,"date":"2026-04-06T11:33:23","date_gmt":"2026-04-06T08:33:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/vuf.lt\/?post_type=naujienos&p=242786"},"modified":"2026-04-08T15:50:19","modified_gmt":"2026-04-08T12:50:19","slug":"vilnius-university-foundation-marks-its-10th-anniversary","status":"publish","type":"naujienos","link":"https:\/\/vuf.lt\/en\/news\/vilnius-university-foundation-marks-its-10th-anniversary\/","title":{"rendered":"Vilnius University Foundation Marks Its 10th Anniversary: Growing for Lithuania"},"content":{"rendered":"

A decade ago, in April 2016, Lithuania saw the establishment of its first university-based philanthropic endowment fund \u2013 the Vilnius University Foundation. This significant milestone was marked by a festive evening of appreciation, bringing together the Foundation\u2019s largest benefactors and members of the university community.<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

The idea for the Foundation matured over many years. Its origins date back to the tenure of Professor Benediktas Juodka (2002\u20132012), when the academic community increasingly emphasized the importance of long-term, sustainable support for the university. What once seemed like an ambitious vision gradually gained strength and broader support.<\/p>\n

A decisive breakthrough came in 2014, when Vilnius University and the initiative\u2019s founders signed a joint activity agreement. This commitment laid the groundwork for establishing an endowment fund and enabled the vision to become a reality.<\/p>\n

In March 2016, the Foundation\u2019s establishment agreement was signed by its three founding benefactors \u2013 Ekspla, Light Conversion, and Alvydas \u017dabolis. This marked the official launch of the Foundation and solidified a shared direction: long-term investment in scientific talent and the future of Lithuania.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/span><\/p>\n

By May 2017, the Foundation had reached its first major milestone, securing \u20ac1 million in support and marking the beginning of sustainable philanthropy. In the years that followed, the Foundation continued to grow steadily. In 2024, its capital reached \u20ac5 million, and that same year, a nearly \u20ac5 million legacy gift from the Canadian Lithuanian family of Angel\u0117 and Sigitas Kazlauskas increased it to \u20ac10 million.<\/p>\n

In 2025, a \u20ac10 million contribution from Swedbank doubled the Foundation\u2019s capital to \u20ac20 million. To date, the public has supported the Foundation, its sub-funds, and projects more than 5,000 times. The Foundation is backed by dozens of philanthropic families, as well as over 50 companies and organizations.<\/p>\n

Over the past decade, the Foundation has become a significant partner to Vilnius University. More than \u20ac2 million has already been allocated from investment returns and targeted support: over 100 student scholarships have been awarded, more than 20 researchers funded, and numerous academic and community initiatives supported.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/span><\/p>\n

While the 10-year milestone marks an important stage, in the context of Vilnius University\u2019s 450-year history, it is only the beginning. The current \u20ac20 million capital is a meaningful achievement, yet international practice shows that such funds have the potential to grow to hundreds of millions or even billions.<\/p>\n

The contribution of philanthropists is strengthening the culture of giving in Lithuania and creating long-term value for society. The greatest impact of the Foundation will be felt by future generations \u2013 the work being done today lays a strong foundation for tomorrow.<\/p>\n

_<\/em><\/p>\n

Photos by Ugnius Bagdonavi\u010dius, Agn\u0117 Dovydaityt\u0117, and the Foundation team<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"featured_media":242755,"template":"","class_list":["post-242786","naujienos","type-naujienos","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nVilnius University Foundation Marks Its 10th Anniversary: Growing for Lithuania - Vilnius University Foundation<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Vilnius University Foundation Marks Its 10th Anniversary: Growing for Lithuania - Vilnius University Foundation\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"A decade ago, in April 2016, Lithuania saw the establishment of its first university-based philanthropic endowment fund \u2013 the Vilnius University Foundation. 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