Introduction

What is the most valuable thing in the world? Trust and solidarity, I think. That, which is being done by Czech Donors Forum for foundations, endowment funds and donors, is exactly that, support of mutual trust and solidarity. Our people do not always see foundation and endowment funds very positively. The Donors Forum supports their good reputation not just with education, seminars and trainings, but also with innovative approaches of donations. Millions of mobile phone users have acquainted themselves with SMS donations and a couple of million of text messages have been sent for good causes.

When people say 'corporate social responsibility', I see managers, who do not suffer with blindness towards their surroundings, but on the contrary, they think cleverly how to best serve society with their products and what means to use to improve life of communities they are developing their business in. Inadvertently they are contributing towards the fact that people do not perceive businessmen as con men, exploiters or chronic polluters of the environment. If they become involved in community welfare, trust and solidarity then increases.

Nine years of the Donors Forum work has left a distinct mark on society. I wish everyone further success. Those, who worked for the Donors Forum with great efforts, I wish them sufficient energy for future and I thank them sincerely.

Milena Cerna
Chairperson of Czech Donors Forum Executive Board