The Serbian Philanthropic Forum has awarded its recognition of kindness to the Intesa Foundation philanthropic organization on the occasion of the National Day of Giving, confirming the foundation’s commitment to creating an inclusive society and contributing to solving social challenges through support for the most vulnerable social groups.

Banca Intesa established Intesa Foundation in May 2024 in partnership with its parent group Intesa Sanpaolo with the aim of providing systemic support for community through strategic investment in five impact areas – support for women in distress and combat against social inequalities; development of education, children, and youth; healthcare and social protection, focused primarily on elderly population; climate change mitigation and environmental protection; and local community projects. In line with its scope of impact, the foundation’s first donation, in the form of equipment worth RSD 16.9 million (around 145,000 euros), was given to the Department of Cardiac Surgery of the University Children's Clinic Tiršova in Belgrade.

"Our foundation is young, established at the beginning of the year, with the aim of continuing Banca Intesa’s long-standing experience in philanthropic activities through a more systematic and sustainable approach that would lead to permanent solutions. This recognition is a confirmation that we are on the right path and it also gives us wind in our sails. Intesa Foundation has supported the health and education system this year, and I am pleased to announce that we are continuing in the same direction," Marija Savić, Manager of Intesa Foundation, said at the award ceremony.

The Serbian Philanthropic Forum, which brings together foundations, companies, donors and civil society organizations, established the National Day of Giving in 2018 as a day to mark and celebrate philanthropy, solidarity and the culture of giving. The National Day of Giving is celebrated on October 9, the birthday of Mihajlo Pupin, a great Serbian innovator and philanthropist.