Nadace Občanského fóra

Nadace Občanského fóra (also known as Nadace OF) is a Czech foundation fund whose mission is to support the restoration and protection of cultural heritage in the Czech Republic. It was established in May 1990 as one of the first non-governmental, non-political and non-profit organisations in Czechoslovakia. Although the foundation's name and logo recall the former Civic Forum (Občanské fórum) of the November 1989 Velvet Revolution, it has no direct links to that movement and focuses exclusively on charitable activities. Until 1995 the foundation concentrated on renewing democratic society and the principle of citizen participation in public affairs. From the second half of the 1990s, Nadace OF has oriented itself exclusively towards heritage conservation and exceptional cultural projects. Particular emphasis is placed on neglected monuments — dilapidated properties whose restoration would not happen without a foundation grant. Funds for individual projects are distributed through two grant programmes: Opomíjené památky (Neglected Monuments) and Památky a zdraví (Monuments and Health). The foundation does not accept state funding; it is financed by entrepreneurs and citizens. Its official website states that it supports the renewal of cultural heritage in the Czech Republic with special emphasis on neglected monuments. An example of its grant-making is support for the Dobromysl association, which built a day-care centre for 13 mentally or chronically mentally ill people in a baroque farmstead in Srbeč; Nadace OF contributed in several phases to the repair of the roof, preserving healthy parts of the original truss under heritage supervision. Nadace OF remains active, publishing annual reports and audited financial statements; its board approved the 2025 annual report and auditor's report at a meeting on 16 July 2026.

Nadace Občanského fóra was founded in May 1990, making it one of the first non-governmental, non-political and non-profit organisations in Czechoslovakia. Its name and logo evoke the Civic Forum (Občanské fórum), the movement that led the November 1989 Velvet Revolution, but the foundation has no direct organisational ties to that political subject. Its stated purpose was charitable: supporting the renewal of a democratic society and the principle of citizen participation in the administration of public affairs. During its early years, until 1995, the foundation's grant-making reflected this civic mission. From the second half of the 1990s, Nadace OF reoriented itself exclusively towards heritage conservation and exceptional cultural projects. It adopted a specific focus on neglected monuments — dilapidated properties whose restoration would not occur without a foundation contribution. To distribute funds, it operates two grant programmes: Opomíjené památky (Neglected Monuments) and Památky a zdraví (Monuments and Health). The foundation does not accept state money; it is financed by entrepreneurs and citizens. Its official website describes its mission as supporting the renewal of cultural heritage in the Czech Republic with special emphasis on neglected monuments. One documented grant recipient is the Dobromysl association, which created a day-care centre for 13 mentally or chronically mentally ill people in a baroque farmstead in Srbeč. Nadace OF contributed in several phases to the repair of the roof, which is being reconstructed gradually under heritage supervision so that healthy parts of the original truss are preserved and only unusable parts are replaced. The foundation continues to operate and publishes annual reports and audited financial statements. Its board approved the auditor's report on the 2025 financial statements and the 2025 annual report at a meeting on 16 July 2026.

• 2026

  Board approved the auditor's report on the 2025 financial statements and the 2025 annual report on 16 July 2026.

• 1995

  Until 1995 the foundation focused on renewing democratic society and citizen participation in public affairs.

• 1990

  Founded in May 1990 as one of the first non-governmental, non-political and non-profit organisations in Czechoslovakia.

• From the second half of the 1990s, Nadace OF oriented itself exclusively towards heritage conservation and exceptional cultural projects.

Non-governmental, non-political foundation focused on heritage conservation, funded by private donors rather than the state.

• Opomíjené památky grant programme

  Grant programme focused on neglected monuments whose restoration would not happen without foundation support.

• Památky a zdraví grant programme

  Grant programme linking heritage conservation with health-related projects.

1. 1Nadace Občanského fóra official websitenadaceof.cz
2. 2Nadace Občanského fóra – Wikipediecs.wikipedia.org
3. 3Nadace Občanského fóra – Wikidatawikidata.org