Zywiec Development Foundation

What Zywiec Development Foundation does

Żywiecka Fundacja Rozwoju (Zywiec Development Foundation) is a Polish non-profit foundation (KRS 0000146021) established in the early 2000s and headquartered in Żywiec, Śląskie voivodeship. It serves residents of Powiat Żywiecki through a portfolio of social, health, and integration programs that has expanded materially since 2022. Current service lines include the 'Pomarańczowa Energia' mental health initiative (with a regional resource database, hotline, and counseling referrals), the Centrum Integracji Społecznej (CIS) for social and vocational reintegration, the AOON and 'Asystent UE' disability support programs, refugee-aid tracks (Rock for Ukraine, Wool for Ukraine, MOTYLE), and re-granting mechanisms ('Działaj Lokalnie', WIP 'Wspólnie dla Przyszłości', and minigrants). The foundation is also the operator of the historic Katownia building at ul. Dworcowa 2, a ~1,700-square-meter tenement undergoing restoration to serve as a centralized community hub.

The foundation's revenue model is that of a diversified Polish grant-funded NGO. Income is drawn from European Union funds (notably the 'Aktywizacja' project worth 6.7M PLN over 2025-2026), Polish state and EU co-financed national programs, the Powiat Żywiecki local budget (90,000 PLN visible grant), Polish 1.5% PIT individual tax designations, corporate sponsors (including Mattel via Rock for Ukraine and Żywiec Zdrój), and individual donations. Service delivery is primarily in-person at the Katownia hub and through partner locations, supplemented by a web-hosted mental-health resource directory; the foundation does not sell products or charge beneficiaries, and is governed as a registered fundacja under Polish law with a lean core staff of approximately 11 employees plus contracted specialists and volunteers.

Strategically, the foundation has shifted in recent years from a grantmaking-and-event organizer toward a direct service provider: it now operates its own mental health, disability, integration, and refugee-aid lines while retaining a re-granting function over smaller local NGOs. Operational scale is small relative to commercial benchmarks but large for a sub-regional Polish foundation, with annual inflows most plausibly in the $1M-$5M band given the multi-million-PLN EU project plus smaller recurring grants.

Name

Zywiec Development Foundation

Legal name

Żywiecka Fundacja Rozwoju (Zywiec Development Foundation)

Website

https://zfr.org.pl

Company type

Private

Founded year

2002

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Żywiecka Fundacja Rozwoju is a Polish non-profit foundation serving Powiat Żywiecki with mental health (Pomarańczowa Energia), social integration (CIS), disability (AOON, Asystent UE), refugee aid, and grant-regranting programs, funded by EU grants, government programs, and donations.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Community Development Services

NAICS

Other Individual and Family Services (624190), Child and Youth Services (62411), Grantmaking and Giving Services (81321)

SIC

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

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYBPAGADAK

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

Business & Public Services/Nonprofit, NGO & Social Services/Education & Youth Development Nonprofits

SECONDARYBPAGACAG

Disability Services & Independent Living Support

Business & Public Services/Nonprofit, NGO & Social Services/Health & Medical Nonprofits

SECONDARYBPAGAKAH

International Grantmaking & Development Foundations

Business & Public Services/Nonprofit, NGO & Social Services/Philanthropy, Foundations & Grantmaking

SECONDARYEDAAADAI

Refugee & Humanitarian Newcomer Orientation (Resettlement Support)

Education/Adult & Continuing Education/Citizenship & Immigrant Integration Education

Keywords

• Community foundation services
• Youth mental health support
• Disability assistance services
• Refugee integration programs
• Local grant distribution

Headquarters

HQ city

Żywiec

HQ country

Poland

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Public donations and charitable contributions: The foundation receives direct monetary donations from individuals, including a structured donation option on its website with preset amounts (20 zł, 50 zł, 100 zł). The foundation also encourages donors to direct their 1.5% personal income tax contribution (PIT) to the organization (KRS: 0000146021), generating 82,146 zł from 499 donors in the 2024 campaign.
2. Government and institutional grants: The foundation receives co-financing from EU funds (European Social Fund Plus), government programs (NOWEFIO, Fundusz Solidarnościowy, FESL.05.01), and ministerial grants (Ministry of Culture and National Heritage). Projects include 'Aktywizacja osób bezrobotnych' (6,719,799.59 zł total, 5,711,829.67 zł EU funding) and the 'Katownia na żywieckim Zabłociu' building restoration project.
3. International donor and NGO funding: The foundation receives funding from international sources including Act Now Children's Fund (Butterfly Project), Affinity Trust Limited (via Federacja Funduszy Lokalnych w Polsce), and Stowarzyszenie Żydowski Instytut Historyczny w Polsce for cultural programming.

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Zywiec Development Foundation is a Polish non-profit foundation delivering free social, psychological, and humanitarian services to residents of the Żywiec district. Its core offerings include free psychological support for children and youth in crisis (Pomarańczowa Energia program), personal assistant and care services for people with disabilities (AOON and Asystent UE), humanitarian and therapeutic programs for Ukrainian refugees (Rock for Ukraine music therapy, Wool for Ukraine crafting, MOTYLE), vocational and social integration support (Centrum Integracji Społecznej), and local grant-making competitions (Działa Lokalnie, WIP, Minigranty) for NGOs and informal community groups.

Product overview

Zywiec Development Foundation is a non-profit organization operating as a social programs platform rather than a commercial technology product company. The foundation offers a portfolio of community support programs including mental health services (Pomarańczowa Energia), social integration (Centrum Integracji Społecznej), disability assistance (Asystent osobisty AOON, Asystent UE), care services, educational debates, and grant programs for local initiatives (Działaj Lokalnie, Minigranty, WIP). The organization also operates humanitarian aid for Ukraine through music therapy (Rock for Ukraine), therapeutic crafting (Wool for Ukraine), and children's support (Butterflies/Motyle). Most programs are co-financed by EU funds (European Social Fund Plus, Fundusz Solidarnościowy), government programs (NOWEFIO), and private donors. The foundation does not offer commercial software products or technology platforms.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Pomarańczowa Energia: Free psychological support program for children and youth, including support groups, workshops, and the Orange Energy festival for mental health awareness.
• Wool for Ukraine
• Rock for Ukraine
• MOTYLE (Butterfly)
• Centrum Integracji Społecznej (CIS)

Products and services

• Pomarańczowa Energia - Stop Osamotnieniu Dzieci i Młodzieży Free psychological consultations, crisis interventions, support groups, streetworker outreach, and preventive workshops for children and youth in psychological distress across the Żywiec district, addressing the documented 238-day NFZ wait for psychiatric appointments.
• Centrum Integracji Społecznej (CIS) - Integracja 4.0 Nowa Perspektywa Social Integration Center providing vocational counseling, professional training, workshops, and social rehabilitation services for individuals at risk of social exclusion in the Żywiec district.
• Asystent osobisty osoby z niepełnosprawnością (AOON) Personal assistant services for people with disabilities supporting daily activities, independent living, and social participation, delivered across 11 gminas in the Żywiec district and funded by the Solidarity Fund (Fundusz Solidarnościowy).
• Asystent UE EU-funded personal assistance program supporting people with disabilities through assistant services, co-financed by the European Social Fund Plus and delivered across selected gminas.
• Działa Lokalnie na Żywiecczyźnie Local initiative grant competition supporting NGOs and informal groups (minimum 3 members) implementing social projects in the Żywiec region.
• Wsparcie Inicjatyw Poradniczych (WIP) Advisory initiative grants of up to 15,000 zł supporting legal, civic, psychological, family-pedagogical, consumer, health, career, and ecological advisory projects across Poland.
• Stypendium z pasją (Żywiec z pasją) Passion scholarship program supporting youth development and education in the Żywiec region.
• Pomoc dla Ukrainy / Aid for Ukraine Multi-faceted humanitarian aid program for Ukrainian refugees integrating music therapy, therapeutic crafting, children's recreational activities, and integration support through a dedicated Help Center.
• Aktywizacja osób bezrobotnych Vocational activation program for unemployed persons registered at the Powiatowy Urząd Pracy w Żywiec, providing job counseling, vocational training, internships, entrepreneurship support, and job-placement services, focused on women, people 50+, persons with disabilities, and NEET youth aged 18-29.
• Debaty Oksfordzkie Structured academic debate workshops developing communication, critical thinking, and social skills among youth in the Żywiec region.

Quantifiable outcome

• 499 donors contributing 82,146 zł through the 1.5% PIT campaign in 2024
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core, flagship and minor.

• Żywiec Zdrój S.A.coreGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2025Żywiec Zdrój S.A. financed the 'Rozmowa, która zbliża – o komunikacji wśród młodych' (Conversation that Brings Closer – About Communication Among Youth) project under the Lokalne Inicjatywy Społeczne Żywiec Zdrój program, edition VI. Foundation staff conducted workshops in schools on communication skills and mental health awareness, funded by the company's corporate social responsibility program.
• Brian Allan (Singer-Songwriter)flagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2022Brian Allan, a singer-songwriter, leads the Rock for Ukraine music therapy program. He conducts music workshops with Ukrainian refugee children, organizes events across Poland (15 cities), and co-created the 'Stand Up – The Time Is Now' anthem performed by children worldwide. ŻFR serves as the program's charity partner in Poland.
• Wool for Ukraine global networkcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2022The foundation launched and coordinates a global network of volunteers engaged in knitting, crochet, felting, spinning, and weaving to provide therapeutic wool craft supplies to Ukrainian refugees worldwide. The project connects craft groups from around the world to support refugees in Poland, Ukraine, and other European countries. Contact: Olga Staszewska (Project Manager), [email protected], +48 733 249 451.
• Kino JanosikminorGTM or Marketing PartnerKino Janosik in Żywiec has hosted the foundation's activities at the Festiwal Górski Adrenalinium for four consecutive years, providing venue space for the foundation's orange-colored tent and community activities.
• Fundacja IskierkaminorGTM or Marketing PartnerFundacja Iskierka collaborated on workshops and activities at Festiwal Górski Adrenalinium, contributing to the foundation's outreach and community engagement at the event.
• Motylkowo sala zabawminorGTM or Marketing PartnerMotylkowo (playroom) participated in the Festiwal Górski Adrenalinium, providing activities and engagement for children alongside the foundation's team.
• Fundacja na SzczycieminorGTM or Marketing PartnerFundacja na Szczycie partnered with ŻFR at Festiwal Górski Adrenalinium, combining forces for joint community action at the event.
• Instytut Rozwoju Artystycznego (Institute of Artistic Development)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerInstytut Rozwoju Artystycznego collaborated on the Rock for Ukraine music workshop series, providing a cycle of 12 musical development sessions conducted weekly for Ukrainian refugee children.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Fundacja im. Stefana Batorego: One of Poland's largest grantmaking foundations supporting civil society, democratic development, and equal rights. Comparable as a Polish nonprofit foundation that re-grants funds to local initiatives, operates civic programs, and engages with EU/international funding mechanisms, though at a significantly larger national scale.
• Fundacja Polsat: Polish commercial TV-backed foundation running major charitable, medical, and social programs nationally. Comparable as a large Polish grantmaking and program-delivery foundation combining health, disability, and youth support — though with substantially greater national brand and resources.
• Caritas Polska: Polish Caritas, the social service arm of the Polish Catholic Church operating nationwide charity, social assistance, and refugee programs. Comparable as a major Polish social services nonprofit that combines individual/family support, refugee assistance, and community-based service delivery at much larger scale.
• Polsko-Amerykańska Fundacja Wolności: Polish-American Freedom Foundation, a major Polish grantmaking foundation operating programs like 'Działa Lokalnie' at a national scale. Highly comparable because it funds and coordinates community initiatives across Poland through the same Działa Lokalnie program format that Żywiec Development Foundation runs locally.

Regional players

• Fundacja dla Śląska: Silesian regional foundation supporting local development, community initiatives, and civic engagement in the Silesia region of Poland. Comparable as a peer regional community foundation operating in the same broader Silesian geography, combining local grantmaking and community development programs.

Direct peers

• Fundacja Integracja: Polish foundation supporting people with disabilities through personal assistant services, accessibility advocacy, and independent living programs. Directly comparable because its core mission (disability personal assistance, independent living support) closely mirrors the foundation's AOON and Asystent EU programs.
• Fundacja Dajemy Dzieciom Siłę: Empowering Children Foundation, leading Polish NGO providing psychological support for children and youth, helpline services, and child protection. Directly comparable in the youth mental health and psychological support mission that anchors the foundation's Pomarańczowa Energia program.
• Fundacja Rozwoju Społeczeństwa Obywatelskiego: Polish NGO supporting civil society development through grantmaking, training, and capacity-building for local organizations. Directly comparable because it operates similar grant programs (analogous to Działa Lokalnie and WIP), manages EU-funded projects, and supports community organizations across Polish regions.
• Stowarzyszenie Interwencji Prawnej: Polish Legal Intervention Association providing free legal aid to refugees, migrants, and vulnerable populations. Comparable as a Polish nonprofit combining refugee assistance with advisory/legal services — overlapping with both the foundation's Ukraine aid programs and WIP advisory services.
• Federacja Funduszy Lokalnych w Polsce: Polish Federation of Community Foundations, an umbrella network that funds and supports community foundations across Poland. Directly comparable because it operates the same community foundation model, channels grants from international donors (Affinity Trust Limited), and Żywiec Development Foundation is a partner/affiliate.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/woolforukraine
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/%C5%BCywiecka-fundacja-rozwoju

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Zywiec Development Foundation