Slovak Philanthropy in Numbers for the First Time: The Successful and Wealthy Strongly Support One Particular Area

Although some stories of successful Slovaks helping others are well known, comprehensive data on domestic philanthropy has so far been lacking. The Pontis Foundation, which has a long dedication to developing philanthropy, therefore prepared the first survey* on so-called major individual philanthropy in Slovakia together with the Focus agency. “We reached out to people from the business community, including those appearing in rankings of the wealthiest individuals, for whom we had references confirming their philanthropic activity. For the first time, we can now see a picture of major individual philanthropy in Slovakia, which will serve as a valuable foundation for future research,” said the Co-CEO of the Pontis Foundation, Martina Kolesárová. 

The survey included questions about the amount of financial donations as well as the areas the respondents support. “People usually associates philanthropy with helping those in difficult life situations, but larger philanthropists place education first. This area is supported by 85% of respondents, and we are convinced that it represents the path to meaningful change,”noted Martina Kolesárová. 

Philanthropy Is Not Just an Obligation 

When asked why they engage in helping others, philanthropists most frequently cited three motivations: I want to solve a specific problem, I have a personal connection to the issue, I want to give back to society. “The survey results suggest that philanthropy is not an obligation for successful people, but rather a way to create meaningful change and feel aligned with themselves. It seems that social pressure and good PR do not play a role. Philanthropists tend to reject the idea that giving is some kind of social pose. This is a strong signal of the authenticity of their motivations,” said the director of the Focus agency, Martin Slosiarik. 

The Pontis Foundation is currently actively cooperating with many prominent figures in Slovak philanthropy. “We are glad that successful people in Slovakia are beginning to discover philanthropic advisory services. International experience shows that such services significantly help philanthropists avoid mistakes, identify the best organizations, and maximize positive impact,” added Martina Kolesárová. 

Future surveys will help to capture how Slovak philanthropy evolves in the upcoming years. “It may follow in the footsteps of Czech philanthropy, which has been growing rapidly since 2020 and has brought stories of family foundations investing billions of Czech crowns of their own money into the development of social innovations. On the other hand, it may also continue dealing with the failures of the healthcare and social systems without moving significantly toward systemic change,”concluded Martina Kolesárová. 

10+1 FINDINGS ABOUT SLOVAK PHILANTHROPY

We Know the First Figures 

More than half of respondents stated that they donate at least €10,000 annually from their personal funds. More than one quarter (26%) of philanthropists donate over €50,000 per year, while some individuals contribute more than €200,000. 

Education as a Clear Priority 

Nine out of ten philanthropists (85%) currently support education. Social services rank second among supported areas (61%), followed by culture and the arts (52%). 

The Dilemma: Supplement the State or Drive Innovation? 

Opinions on the primary role of philanthropists are almost evenly divided: 

• Half (51.5%) believe philanthropists should mainly support high-value social innovation.  

• The other half (48.5%) believe they should primarily support areas where the state fails to fulfill its basic responsibilities.  

It’s Not About Personal Branding 

None of the respondents stated that they engage in philanthropy to build their personal brand. In fact, 67% agreed with the statement that “helping others is not something to boast about.” 

Philanthropy as a “Lifelong” Commitment 

Half (51%) of philanthropists said they have been helping others for more than 10 years, while one fifth (21%) specified that they have been doing so for over two decades. 

Less Emotion, More Reason 

Although philanthropy is traditionally associated with the “heart,” major philanthropists tend to be more rational. As many as two thirds (67%) say they are guided primarily by reason. 

The Christmas Myth Does Not Apply 

Only one quarter (24%) of respondents said they think more intensively about philanthropy during the Christmas season. Most engage in philanthropy systematically throughout the year. 

Trust in People Comes First 

When deciding whom to support, the most important factor is personal trust in the people behind a given organization (81%), followed by whether the organization strives for systemic change (49%). 

Interest in Professional Advisory Services 

Philanthropists most often discuss their donations with their life partners (82%). One fifth (21%) expressed interest in using professional philanthropic advisory services in the future. 

Incentives for Greater Generosity 

As many as six out of ten respondents (61%) indicated that they would significantly increase their giving if the government introduced tax deductions for volunteer donations. 

The Future of Philanthropy Looks Bright 

Almost two fifths (39%) of philanthropists expect to give more in three years from now than they do today, while 15% say they plan to establish their own fund or foundation. 

*Quantitative survey conducted among Slovak philanthropists via online questionnaire. Data collection took place between October 17 and December 15, 2025.