What UNAWEZA Foundation does

UNAWEZA Foundation (Fundacja UNAWEZA) is a Polish non-profit organization founded on 28 September 2019 by journalist and activist Martyna Wojciechowska and headquartered in Warsaw. The foundation delivers a portfolio of charitable programs serving multiple beneficiary groups: children with albinism in Tanzania (operating a safe house in Mwanza in partnership with Stowarzyszenie Misji Afrykańskich), Ukrainian foster families evacuated to Poland (in coalition with Koalicja na Rzecz Rodzinnej Opieki Zastępczej and Stowarzyszenie Jedno Serce), an educational scholarship in Bolivia, and a protected housing facility for teenage and young mothers in Warsaw (in partnership with Fundacja po DRUGIE). Its flagship domestic initiative is MŁODE GŁOWY, a nationwide mental health prevention program for Polish schools that grew from 1,500 schools in its 2023 pilot to nearly 4,000 schools and over 1.2 million students reached in 2024, supported by official endorsements from the Polish Ministry of Education, the Commissioner for Children's Rights, and the national psychologists' trade union.

The foundation's core technology is a website-based donation and content distribution platform at unaweza.org, supported by dedicated educational domains (mlodeglowy.pl, programprofilaktyczny.mlodeglowy.pl, lekcjappp.mlodeglowy.pl, helppp.pl) that host free lesson scenarios, Mental Health First Aid materials (the HELPPP algorithm), an original podcast, and a PPP lesson module covering four age groups. The technology stack includes payment integrations with PayU, PayPal, and BLIK, and the platform is built/maintained by partner Laboratorium EE with Donateo providing donation infrastructure.

UNAWEZA's revenue model is multi-stream and donation-centric. Individual giving flows through recurring monthly memberships (Paszport UNAWEZA, 20–50 PLN tiers) and beneficiary-assigned recurring support (Bilet do Lepszego Życia). Polish taxpayers can direct 1.5% of income tax via KRS 0000800698. E-commerce and product partnerships generate third-party donations: Martyna World Shop adds a donation component to purchases, W.KRUK donates 20% of UNAWEZA bead sales and 100% of a MŁODE GŁOWY bracelet, and specialty coffee sales (KAWA Z Krańca Świata) route proceeds to beneficiaries. Corporate partners including Google Cloud, Dove, H&M, PEPCO, Sephora, and Rossmann support specific campaigns and merchandise co-brands. The charitable shop 'Zafunduj dobro' offers unit-priced aid items (medical care at 50 PLN/month, school supplies at 15 PLN, housing for Ukrainian foster families at 60 PLN, therapy at 40 PLN). Cumulative funds raised since founding totaled 8,296,124 PLN, with 1,896 recurring supporters, 822,638 beneficiaries supported, and recognized by EFFIE Awards, Nagroda Korczaka 2024, and MocArty RMF Classic among others.

Name

UNAWEZA Foundation

Legal name

Fundacja UNAWEZA

Website

https://unaweza.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2019

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

UNAWEZA Foundation is a Polish non-profit founded in 2019 by journalist Martyna Wojciechowska, running charitable programs for children with albinism in Tanzania, Ukrainian foster families, teenage mothers in Poland, and a nationwide MŁODE GŁOWY mental health prevention initiative in Polish schools.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Charitable Foundation Services

NAICS

Child and Youth Services (62411), Voluntary Health Organizations (813212), Grantmaking and Giving Services (81321), Child and Youth Services (624110)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Misc Health & Allied Services, Nec (8090), Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Youth Mental Health, Counseling & Wellbeing (Education-Linked) Nonprofits (BPAGADAK)

akta.pro secondary industries

Child Protection & Child Rights (BPAGABAG), International & Local Implementing NGOs (HLAJAKAD), NGO/Nonprofit Education Programs & Service Delivery (EDADALAC)

Keywords

• Charitable foundation services
• Mental health education
• Child welfare programs
• Humanitarian aid
• Donation platform

Headquarters

HQ city

Warsaw

HQ country

Poland

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Operations, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Individual Donations: One-time and recurring donations from individual supporters for general foundation activities or specific beneficiaries. Donors receive personalized recognition documents (Paszport UNAWEZA, Bilet do lepszego życia) and tax deduction benefits.
2. 1.5% Tax Donations: Polish taxpayers can donate 1.5% of their income tax to the foundation using KRS number 0000800698.
3. Martyna World Shop Partnership: E-commerce partnership where customers can select donation-add-on options when purchasing products from Martyna World Shop. The same product price includes optional donation component at no additional cost to the customer.
4. KAWA Z Krańca Świata Coffee Sales: Specialty coffee sales where proceeds support foundation beneficiaries. Each kilogram purchased represents real support for UNAWEZA beneficiaries.
5. W.KRUK UNAWEZA Bead Sales: Jewelry collaboration with W.KRUK where 20% of bead sales are donated to foundation support activities.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

UNAWEZA Foundation is a Polish charitable foundation that raises and disburses funds to support vulnerable children and youth in Poland and abroad, including children with albinism in Tanzania, Ukrainian foster families, teenage mothers, and youth through the nationwide MŁODE GŁOWY mental health prevention program. Its core offerings are individual donor programs (recurring Paszport UNAWEZA membership, Bilet do Lepszego Życia beneficiary sponsorship), a charity shop (Zafunduj dobro), partner co-branded fundraising products, and direct humanitarian projects delivered through operating safe houses and educational initiatives.

Product overview

UNAWEZA Foundation is a charitable organization (not a traditional software company) offering a portfolio of donation products and social programs. The core products are: (1) donation programs — 'Paszport UNAWEZA' for recurring general supporters and 'Bilet do Lepszego Życia' for supporters assigned to specific beneficiaries, (2) a charitable shop 'Zafunduj dobro' with specific aid items, and (3) partner e-commerce including Martyna World Shop, KAWA Z KRAŃCA ŚWIATA coffee, and W.KRUK jewelry where a portion of sales is donated. The foundation also runs the mental health education initiative 'MŁODE GŁOWY' with its prevention program, downloadable PPP lesson materials, a podcast, and the informational platform helppp.pl. Major charitable projects include a safe house for children with albinism in Tanzania, a home for teenage mothers in Warsaw, aid for Ukrainian refugee families, and an educational scholarship in Bolivia.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• MŁODE GŁOWY. Otwarcie o zdrowiu psychicznym: A nationwide educational project focused on mental health for young people in Poland, including the 'Godzina dla MŁODYCH GŁÓW' preventive program and mental health first aid training.
• BILET DO LEPSZEGO ŻYCIA
• PASZPORT UNAWEZA
• Zafunduj dobro

Products and services

• Paszport UNAWEZA A recurring monthly donor membership program where supporters receive a personalized 'Paszport UNAWEZA' (UNAWEZA Passport) as recognition of their ongoing financial commitment to the foundation's general activities. Available at tiered monthly amounts (e.g., 20 PLN, 50 PLN or custom) for individual Polish donors.
• Bilet do Lepszego Życia (Ticket to a Better Life) A monthly recurring sponsorship program where donors are matched to a specific named beneficiary (e.g., children with albinism in Tanzania, Ukrainian foster families) and receive a personalized 'Bilet do Lepszego Życia' confirming their ongoing support. Designed for individual donors who want a tangible, personal connection with the people they help.
• Zafunduj dobro (Charity Shop) An online charitable marketplace on the foundation's website where donors can purchase specific aid items at unit prices for named beneficiaries: medical care (50 PLN/month), Ukraine foster family housing (60 PLN), translation services (30 PLN), toys (25 PLN), clothing (50 PLN), therapy (40 PLN), school supplies for Bolivia (15 PLN), etc. Itemized donations tied to concrete outcomes.
• MŁODE GŁOWY. Program profilaktyczny (Mental Health Prevention Program) A nationwide, free-of-charge preventive mental health education program for Polish primary and secondary schools. Delivered via a dedicated multi-domain platform (mlodeglowy.pl, programprofilaktyczny.mlodeglowy.pl, lekcjappp.mlodeglowy.pl, helppp.pl) with nine lesson scenarios covering emotional well-being, boundaries, digital hygiene, and critical thinking, plus Mental Health First Aid (HELPPP) materials. Reached over 1.2 million students in nearly 4,000 schools in 2024.
• Dom dla nastoletnich matek i ich dzieci (House for Teenage Mothers) A single-family protected housing facility in Warsaw's Ursynów district for young (including teenage) mothers aged 18+ and their children. Provides a home environment for independent living, development, and maturation for vulnerable mothers who are former foster care residents or in difficult life situations. Operated in partnership with Fundacja po DRUGIE.
• Dom dla dzieci z albinizmem w Tanzanii (Safe House for Children with Albinism in Tanzania) A safe house in Mwanza, Tanzania providing shelter, education, medical care, legal protection, and community integration for children and youth with albinism who face persecution and violence in East Africa. Operated in partnership with Stowarzyszenie Misji Afrykańskich (SMA), which oversees construction and on-ground operations.
• Pomoc dzieciom z Ukrainy (Support for Ukrainian Foster Families) A humanitarian program supporting Ukrainian foster families evacuated to Poland and children from Ukrainian orphanages. Provides housing, therapeutic workshops (TBRI method), medical aid, translations, clothing, and toys. Coordinated through the Coalition for Foster Care (Koalicja na Rzecz Rodzinnej Opieki Zastępczej) and partner organization Stowarzyszenie Jedno Serce in Biała Podlaska.
• Projekt edukacyjny w Boliwii (Educational Scholarship in Bolivia) An educational scholarship supporting Vida Guadalupe Yana Huañapaco, a 10-year-old girl from Bolivia, covering school fees, textbooks, supplies, and meals. Operated in partnership with Fundacja im. Heleny Kmieć, which provides global education, training and scholarship programs.

Quantifiable outcome

• 82% of teachers report deepened knowledge on mental health topics after program participation
• +6 more outcomes

Named customers8 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration4 records

Feature1 record

Partnerships

20 partnerships are on record, tiered core and flagship.

• DDOBcoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 7 April 2025Marketing agency partner for 'Popatrz, Posłuchaj, Połącz' campaign launched on World Health Day 2025. Over 300 internet creators participated, achieving 10 million reach in 10 days. Also conducts workshops for creators and journalists on mental health communication.
• Art Box ExperiencecoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 29 September 2024Venue partner hosting free immersive exhibition 'Co się dzieje w MŁODYCH GŁOWACH?' at Art Box Experience in Warsaw's Norblin Factory.
• Google CloudcoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 29 September 2024Partnership created special merchandise collection (t-shirts, hoodies, hats) with over 200,000 PLN raised for MŁODE GŁOWY project. Collaboration featured at Google Cloud Summit Poland.
• H&McoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 29 September 2024Fashion retailer partnership for youth mental health initiatives including summer events with Niedzielni collective and MŁODE GŁOWY project.
• VulcancoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 29 September 2024Educational publisher partner supporting MŁODE GŁOWY program integration into educational platforms and resources.
• EventimcoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 29 September 2024Event ticketing platform partner providing free tickets for immersive exhibition 'Co się dzieje w MŁODYCH GŁOWACH?' at Art Box Experience.
• Platige ImagecoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 22 September 2024Visual effects and animation studio collaborating on immersive exhibition 'Co się dzieje w MŁODYCH GŁOWACH?' at Art Box Experience. Partnership creates visual content for mental health awareness.
• PEPCOcoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 27 September 2023Retail chain supporting 'Godzina dla MŁODYCH GŁÓW' mental health prevention program with promotional and fundraising activities.
• DovecoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 15 February 2023Dove supports MŁODE GŁOWY mental health education project, focusing on helping teenagers in Poland develop self-esteem and mental resilience.
• Martyna.WorldflagshipGTM or Marketing PartnerE-commerce partnership where Martyna World Shop allows customers to add donation components to purchases at no additional cost. The shop helps the foundation help - part of purchase amounts are donated as contributions to UNAWEZA Foundation.
• W.KRUKcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerJewelry company produces special UNAWEZA bead. 20% of each bead sale is donated to foundation support activities. Collaboration extended with bracelet supporting MŁODE GŁOWY project.
• KAWA Z Krańca ŚwiatacoreGTM or Marketing PartnerSpecialty coffee brand created by Martyna Wojciechowska. Each kilogram sold represents real support for UNAWEZA beneficiaries. Coffee is sourced from quality beans with careful roasting process.
• Laboratorium EEcoreTechnology or IntegrationTechnology partner providing support for foundation website with solutions that help the foundation help more effectively. Also designed and maintains the foundation website.
• DonateocoreTechnology or IntegrationTechnology provider enabling charitable fundraising with modern payment solutions. Platform offers author applications for retail and e-commerce, virtual terminals, and mobile donation stations. First in Poland to introduce cashless micro-donation system.
• DovecoreGTM or Marketing PartnerDove supports MŁODE GŁOWY mental health education project. Dove Self-Esteem program has been running globally since 2004, aiming to help 250 million teenagers worldwide by 2030. Partnership focuses on youth mental health awareness in Poland.
• Fundacja po DRUGIEflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborative partnership for building and operating home for teenage and young mothers in Warsaw. Fundacja po DRUGIE identified the gap in Polish rehabilitation system where minor mothers cannot live with children in reform institutions. Joint advocacy led to 2022 legislation enabling minor mothers to stay with children.
• Stowarzyszenie Misji Afrykańskich (SMA)flagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerLong-term partnership for Tanzania projects including construction and operation of safe home for children with albinism in Mwanza. SMA oversees building process and provides on-ground operations support for beneficiaries.
• Fundacja im. Heleny KmiećcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for Bolivia educational project. Foundation provides education, training and scholarship programs globally, collaborating with UNAWEZA on Vida's educational scholarship covering school fees, textbooks, supplies and meals.
• Koalicja na Rzeczy Rodzinnej Opieki ZastępczejcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCoalition of 20 associations and foundations working on foster family support. UNAWEZA focuses on supporting evacuated Ukrainian foster families and children from Ukrainian orphanages through the coalition.
• Stowarzyszenie Jedno SercecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFoster parenting association in Biała Podlaska that UNAWEZA supports with long-term funding for Ukrainian refugee families and children under foundation care.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Caritas Polska: Largest Polish charitable network providing social assistance, family support, and international humanitarian aid. Comparable in donor base, 1% tax competition, and geographic reach, but with broader service portfolio across all vulnerable populations, not specialized in children/youth.
• Polish Red Cross: Major Polish humanitarian organization providing social services, refugee aid, and disaster response. Comparable in fundraising scale, recurring donor programs, and partnership with Ukrainian refugee support, though UNAWEZA's portfolio is narrower and more youth-focused.
• UNICEF Poland: Polish arm of the UN children's fund operating child welfare, education, and protection programs with a much larger budget and global mandate. Competes for the same Polish individual donors, 1% tax allocations, and corporate CSR partnerships, but at significantly greater scale.

Direct peers

• SOS Children's Villages Poland: Major international NGO operating family-style houses for children and youth without parental care in Poland. Comparable in operating model (residential care for vulnerable youth), recurring individual donor programs, and reliance on Polish 1% tax allocations.
• Fundacja TVN: Polish foundation linked to TVN media group supporting seriously ill children and youth. Comparable as a celebrity/media-linked Polish nonprofit leveraging media visibility for fundraising, with overlapping individual donor and corporate partnership channels.
• Fundacja po DRUGIE: Polish foundation focused on housing and rehabilitation for young mothers and people leaving institutional care. Already a co-development partner with UNAWEZA on the teenage mothers' home in Warsaw, serving an identical beneficiary segment with directly overlapping service model.
• Towarzystwo Przyjaciół Dzieci (TPD): Long-established Polish children's welfare organization running foster care, family support, and child rights advocacy. Comparable as a Polish nonprofit serving children with albinism-like vulnerable populations, competing for similar institutional and individual donor pools.
• Fundacja Dajemy Dzieciom Siłę: Leading Polish NGO providing psychological support, therapy, and child abuse prevention services. Directly comparable as a major Polish nonprofit serving children and youth mental health, competing for the same donor pool, corporate partners, and school engagement channels as UNAWEZA's MŁODE GŁOWY project.

Regional players

• Fundacja Świat na Wyciągnięcie Ręki: Polish foundation supporting children and orphans in developing countries, particularly Africa. Comparable as a Polish celebrity/founder-led charity operating international child welfare projects, using a similar recurring donor model for named beneficiaries.

Emerging players

• Helping Hand International (Fundacja Pomocna Dłoń): Smaller Polish charity with international child welfare projects in Africa and Asia. Comparable as a small-team Polish nonprofit operating cross-border beneficiary programs and competing for similar Polish individual donors and corporate partners.

Market position

Strengths1 record

Weaknesses1 record

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/UNAWEZA.Foundation
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/fundacja-unaweza

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about UNAWEZA Foundation