Lithuanian Foundation’s Generous Support in 2021
At the end of the year, many look back at the year that has passed. The Lithuanian Foundation is no exception. Despite the difficult pandemic year, the Foundation has been working non-stop and achieved things to rejoice: a total of $1,407,670 have been distributed to support various projects and scholarships in 2021, i.e., 10.7% more than in 2020.
A significant part of these funds (approximately 2/3) is the interest from designated funds established in the Lithuanian Foundation. At present, over 100 such funds have been set up.
It has been four years since the LF Grants Commission (GC) started convening twice a year to distribute funds – in the spring (the first round of funding) and in the autumn (the second round of funding). The first meeting of the Grants Commission in 2021 took place on 22 May, and the second on 16 October. To ensure the safety of all participants amid the COVID-19 pandemic, GC members met remotely.
The Lithuanian Foundation operates and disburses funding according to section 501(c) (3) of the US Internal Revenue Code. The distribution of funds is guided by the funding and scholarship priorities approved by the Board of Directors.
One hundred fourteen applications were submitted for the first round in 2021 (86 applications – 75.4% – were approved for funding), and 27 applications were submitted for the second round (20 – 74.1% – were approved). After carefully and thoroughly reviewing the applications, the commission decided to approve a total of 106 applications and allocated $1,028,275 to support these projects in 2021.
Additionally, $14,447 will be dispersed directly to Lithuanian and US organizations to support projects from donor-directed funds, according to the donors’ wishes and designations,
In 2021, a total of $1,042,722 will be allocated to fund various projects.
The complete list of awards can be found here:
2021 first LF grant allocation
2021 second LF grant allocation
The decisions taken during the two meetings of the Grants Committee were forwarded to the LF Board for approval. The Board approved them in meetings on 8 June (first round) and 7 December (second round).
The most considerable amount of support was awarded to the Lithuanian American Community – $525,100 (50%), various Lithuanian organizations in the US – $424,456 (41%), Lithuanian organizations in other countries – $38,225 (4%), applicants from Lithuania – $33,248 (3%), and $ 21,693 to the Lithuanian World Community (2%).
Members of the Scholarship Sub-Commission convened on 20 November 2021. They reviewed 108 students’ applications for scholarships and decided to grant 95 of them, allocating $335,400. Seventy-nine Lithuanians studying in the US, eight in Lithuania, two in Great Britain, one in each Austria, Hong Kong, the Netherlands, France, Germany, and Switzerland will receive Lithuanian Foundation’s scholarships.
A list of scholarship recipients can be found here:
2021 LF scholarship recipients
An additional $29,548 will be disbursed from LF’s special donor-directed funds, according to the donors’ wishes and designations, directly to higher education institutions in Lithuania. Candidates for these scholarships are selected by the educational institutions themselves. Scholarships will be awarded to students at Vilnius University, Vytautas Magnus University, Kaunas University of Technology, Lithuanian Academy of Music and Theater, Vilnius Gediminas Technical University, and pupils of various Lithuanian schools.
A total of $364,948 will be distributed for scholarships in 2021.
US dollars allocated in 2021 according to types of activities:
Scholarships – 364,946
Grants:
Educational activities – 233,204
Social activities – 177,589
Cultural activities – 174,379
Lithuanian centers (buildings) – 153,400
Youth activities – 91,750
Mass media – 87,600
Campsites (buildings) – 60,000
Archives – 50,000
Books – 14,800
LF information
In the picture: 2021 LF grant recipient Lithuanian Research and Studies Center. Opening of new facilities in Lemont, IL. Photo credit: Jonas Kuprys.
