Nadání Josefa, Marie a Zdeňky Hlávkových

Nadání Josefa, Marie a Zdeňky Hlávkových — commonly known as the Hlávka Foundation (Hlávkova nadace) — is the oldest continuously existing Czech foundation. It was established on 25 January 1904 by the architect Josef Hlávka, who dedicated his entire fortune to the education and strengthening of the Czech nation. The foundation's name honours Josef Hlávka together with his mother Marie and his sister Zdeňka. The foundation operates as a private endowment rather than a commercial company. Its assets include the Hlávka chateau at Lužany near Přeštice and residential property in Prague; rental income is used to finance its programme, which follows the wishes of the founder. Its best-known activity is the Hlávka College (Hlávkova kolej) in Jenštejnská Street in Prague, where outstanding university students are housed at the foundation's expense. Between 1904 and 1939 the foundation supported roughly 3,500 poor university students with free accommodation. In cooperation with the Czech Literary Fund, the foundation annually awards the Josef Hlávka Prize for scientific literature, and it also bestows the Josef Hlávka Medal. Since 1991 its contributions to outstanding university students, young scientists and artists have exceeded 55 million Czech crowns, and 79 professional studies have been published in the editorial series of the Institute of National Economy supported by the foundation. The foundation survived the upheavals of the 20th century: the financial shock of the First World War devalued part of its real-estate assets, and in 1953 the communist government abolished all Czech foundations except this one, which was allowed to exist formally but was stripped of a considerable part of its assets. The Josef Hlávka dormitory was confiscated in 1954 from the Association of Students of Prague University and transferred to the state. After November 1989 the foundation returned to its former premises and resumed its original mission. Today it remains active in Prague, maintaining the founder's legacy of supporting Czech education, scholarship and culture.

The foundation was established by Josef Hlávka on 25 January 1904 and has maintained uninterrupted legal continuity to the present day. Hlávka devoted his entire fortune to it so that it would serve the education of the Czech nation. In his last will, dated at Lužany on 25 January 1904, he entrusted the 'Nadání Josefa, Marie a Zdenky Hlávkových' with all his property, tasks and purposes, ending with a plea for divine protection over the endowment and its goals. The financial and economic shock resulting from the First World War devalued part of the foundation's real-estate assets, but it nevertheless supported approximately 3,500 poor university students by providing free accommodation at Hlávka College between 1904 and 1939. In 1953, by decision of the communist government, all Czech foundations were abolished — except the Josef, Marie and Zdenka Hlávka Foundation, which was allowed to exist formally but was deprived of a considerable part of its assets. The Josef Hlávka dormitory was confiscated in 1954 from the Association of Students of Prague University and transferred to the state. After November 1989, the foundation moved back into these former premises. Today it manages assets including Josef Hlávka's chateau at Lužany near Přeštice and residential property in Prague. Rental income serves to secure the foundation's programme financially, which is based on the founder's wishes. Hlávka College in Jenštejnská Street in Prague, where university students are housed at the foundation's expense, has regained its original function; its maintenance is ensured by the Czech Technical University, which also owns the building. Since 1991, the foundation's contributions to outstanding university students, young scientists and artists have amounted to more than 55 million crowns. Seventy-nine professional studies have been published in the editorial series of the Institute of National Economy supported by the foundation. In cooperation with the Czech Literary Fund, the foundation annually awards the Josef Hlávka Prize for scientific literature, and the Josef Hlávka Medal is also awarded.

• Josef Hlávka establishes the Nadání Josefa, Marie a Zdenky Hlávkových by his last will at Lužany.

• The foundation supports approximately 3,500 poor university students with free accommodation at Hlávka College.

• The communist government abolishes all Czech foundations except this one, which is allowed to exist formally but loses a considerable part of its assets.

• The Josef Hlávka dormitory is confiscated from the Association of Students of Prague University and transferred to the state.

• After the Velvet Revolution, the foundation moves back into its former premises.

• Beginning of a period in which foundation contributions to outstanding students, young scientists and artists exceed 55 million crowns.

• The foundation issues a thematic publication for the blessing of the new organ at St. Vitus Cathedral, part of the nationwide project that raised over 135 million crowns.

A historic private endowment dedicated to supporting Czech education, science and culture, operating on the founder's original bequest.

• Hlávka College (Hlávkova kolej) student residence

  Student housing in Jenštejnská Street, Prague, provided at the foundation's expense; the building is owned by the Czech Technical University.

• Josef Hlávka Prize for scientific literature

  Annual prize awarded in cooperation with the Czech Literary Fund.

• Josef Hlávka Medal

  Medal awarded by the foundation.

• Hlávka chateau at Lužany

  Historic chateau near Přeštice, part of the foundation's assets.

1. 1Hlávkova nadace — official websitehlavkovanadace.cz
2. 2Nadání Josefa, Marie a Zdeňky Hlávkových — Wikidatawikidata.org
3. 3Nadání Josefa, Marie a Zdenky Hlávkových — Wikipédia (fr)fr.wikipedia.org