Lithuania Marks Philanthropy Day: National and Community Patron Titles Awarded to VU Foundation Donors
As Lithuania Marks Philanthropy Day on November 15, the Vilnius University (VU) Foundation announces this year’s Patronage Council decisions: for outstanding contributions to strengthening the University, 2 National Patron Titles and 3 Community Patron Titles have been awarded.
Posthumous National Patron Titles were granted to Dr Angelė Matildė Kazlauskas (1935–2020) and Dr Sigitas Pranas Kazlauskas (1935–2005). Lithuanian-Canadian dentists and philanthropists Angelė and Sigitas Kazlauskas bequeathed nearly €5 million to strengthen the field of dentistry at VU. Investment returns from their named sub-fund support the activities of the VU Angelė and Sigitas Kazlauskas Pediatric Dentistry Center, as well as named awards and scholarships for dental researchers and students.
A posthumous National Patron Title was also awarded to Mantvydas Juozapavičius (1976–2023). From their late son’s 2023 estate, Mantvydas’ parents, Irena and Algirdas Juozapavičiai, donated €1.3 million to the VU Endowment: a €1 million named sub-fund was established in their son’s memory, while an additional €100,000 each was allocated to the VU Life Sciences Center and Prof. Algis Petras Piskarskas sub-funds, along with support for other VU Foundation activities.
The Community Patron Title was awarded to Eglė and Romualdas Danieliai. Eglė Danielienė, daughter of renowned linguist Prof. Jonas Kazlauskas, together with her husband Romualdas Danielius, established a €140,000 endowed sub-fund in the VU Fondation bearing Prof. J. Kazlauskas’ name, the investment returns of which are used to establish named scholarships, awards, and support other initiatives at the VU Faculty of Philology.
The Community Patron Title was awarded to the company Arimex. The nuts and dried-fruit supplier Arimex allocated €100,000 to a named endowed sub-fund, the investment returns of which are directed to supporting initiatives that promote mobility and well-being within the VU community.
The Community Patron Title was awarded to the Šiauliai Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Crafts (Šiauliai CCIC). In 2024, Šiauliai CCIC allocated €50,000 to a named endowed sub-fund, the investment returns of which will support the VU Šiauliai Academy and initiatives related to it.
In previous years, for their support to the VU Foundation, Vilnius City Municipality Patron Titles were granted to Darius Zubas, Nerius Numa, Danas Tvarijonavičius, Alvydas Žabolis, Arvydas Andrijauskas (Alma Littera), Gediminas Vaitiekūnas (GV muziejus), and the companies Light Conversion and Ekspla. Community Patron Titles were previously awarded to the Juozapavičius family and to the Acme grupė.
Under the Philanthropy Law of Lithuania, the National Patron Title may be awarded to individuals or legal entities whose support totals at least €1 million; the Municipal Patron Title requires €150,000–€250,000 (depending on the municipality’s population); and the Community Patron Title requires at least €50,000.