Posk Foundation

The POSK Foundation, established in 1989 and registered as a UK charity, is the philanthropic arm of the Polish Social and Cultural Centre (POSK) in west London, founded in the 1960s by Polish exiles to preserve cultural heritage amid political upheaval. Its mission advances arts, culture, and heritage; provides recreational facilities for social welfare; promotes education; and relieves poverty, with a core focus on the Polish diaspora and wider communities in England and Wales. Rooted in values of solidarity, resilience, intergenerational support, and cross-cultural cohesion, it stewards communal assets like the Polish Library, emphasizing sustainable, long-term impact over one-off projects through prudent, volunteer-led trusteeship.

It funds arts initiatives (theatre, music, jazz, film, exhibitions), cultural/heritage preservation, education/training for all ages, and social welfare for Polish/ethnic communities, children, youth, elderly, and disadvantaged groups. Support targets organisations for public events, performances, training programmes, infrastructure maintenance, and core costs, fostering cultural identity, community integration, and diaspora retention—particularly those linked to POSK's Hammersmith hub or networks.

Eligible applicants are UK-registered charities or community groups based in England and Wales (London/Hammersmith emphasis), preferably small- to medium-sized with grassroots cultural/educational missions; no strict income limits, but invite-only—no unsolicited applications or formal processes. Grants, awarded adhoc at trustee meetings, typically range £2,000–£20,000 (mostly lower end) for projects, programmes, or capital/revenue needs.

Exclusions include individuals and national/large charities; its uniqueness lies in safeguarding Polish/Central-Eastern European heritage within multicultural Britain, prioritising resident POSK-associated groups for enduring communal benefit.