Serbian Philanthropic Gala 2022

The Serbian Philanthropic Gala is an annual event organized by the Serbian Philanthropic Association where humanity and kindness come together to help change the lives of other people, build bonds among the Serbian community and inspire philanthropy.

The Association’s third Gala was no exception. It took place on November 4th, 2022 at historic Gotham Hall in midtown New York and gathered 400 attendees from across the United States, Serbia, and other countries.

The event raised $100,500 for the student scholarships program of Studenica Foundation. The funds raised will assist more than 65 Serbian college students, who excel academically while lacking the financial support, to continue or finish their studies without interruptions. As an active foundation over the last 29 years, Studenica has helped over 2,000 students with their scholarly pursuits.

The Gala was also an occasion for the Serbian Philanthropic Association to acknowledge the decades-long work of Dr. Danica Marinac-Dabić in promoting Serbian traditions and cultural heritage in the diaspora. Dr. Marinac-Dabić was honored with the Excellence in Philanthropic Action Award to acknowledge her efforts of founding and leading the folklore troupe Opančići for the past 25 years. Opančići are based in Washington D.C., and have been the cornerstone in the promotion of traditional Serbian culture through folklore and dance.

Laureate of the Excellence in Philanthropic Action Award Dr Danica Marinac-Dabic; Photo Dushan Jovic

Accepting the award, Dr. Marinac-Dabić, an accomplished physician, thanked the Serbian Philanthropic Association for the award which, in her own words, meant to her more than the awards she had received for her professional work. She added that the “kolo” dance brings the community together and is much more than just a dance. It shows the richness of Serbian culture, the beauty of our costumes, and it builds bridges between people and cultures.

While the event was marked by these high philanthropic moments the rest of the evening was one of high energy, theater, and acclaimed performances.

Masters of Ceremony were Ms. Jelena Gavrilović, the multi-talented actress and singer, and Mr. George Petković, Board Member of the Serbian Philanthropic Association. Their charm and interactions with the guests, including an opening musical performance by Ms. Gavrilović, ensured high spirits throughout the night.

Mr. Filip Bulatović, composer, pianist and DJ, opened the main entertainment programme. His music selection, as well as his theatrical performance with Ms. Jelena Gavrilović, mesmerized the audience and set the stage for the appearance of the legendary singer Mr. Zdravko Čolić who kept the Gala guests on their feet until the end of the night.

After his performance, Mr. Čolić shared his impressions: “I am very pleased to have been part of this spectacle and social event. It is obvious that this event was not only well attended but also had an amazing atmosphere among people who came here to financially help a charitable cause. It is wonderful to see that there is an organization that helps talented people achieve results. Though I haven’t had a chance to perform in a similar ambiance before and partake in a similar programme, I hope that this is not the last time and that there will be similar initiatives in the future.”

Ms. Gavrilović had similar impressions of the gala and the project of student scholarships: “It is an incredible honor and pleasure to have been part of this event. One of the most important assets that our country should support are talented individuals. They are our future.”

The third Serbian Philanthropic Gala was a memorable event where the Serbian Philanthropic Association brought the diaspora together to raise money for a wonderful cause along with honoring those doing charitable work in promoting Serbian culture and traditions.

The Association wholeheartedly thanks the guests, sponsors, donors, partners, and performers who made this incredible evening possible.

The Serbian Philanthropic Association Inc. is a non-profit organization founded in 2020 by a group of New York-based professionals of Serbian origin gathered around one core aspiration: to give back to the Serbian community.

The Association is mostly recognizable by its Serbian Philanthropic Gala, which is both a festive event and a multipurpose platform that serves:

• to raise funds for a charitable cause that has a long-term impact on economy, education, health, culture or ecology in Serbia,
• to honor the philanthropic efforts of individuals and organizations whose deeds inspire others, by awarding them the Excellence in Philanthropic Action Award,
• to create and maintain connections among the Serbian community in the United States, and
• to present the Serbian people and culture in our best light.

The Serbian Philanthropic Association is honored that the Serbian Philanthropic Gala has become a recognisable humanitarian and cultural event of the Serbian diaspora. We measure our success not only by the amount of raised funds, record-fast sale of tickets and donor tables, and positive impressions of our guests – but also by the trust placed in us by leading artists from our region who participated in the event over the years.

In the three years of existence, the Gala raised nearly $230,000 for programmes supporting the education of individuals in Serbia and the region.

The Serbian Philanthropic Association Inc. is a non-profit with no political or religious affiliation. It is incorporated in the state of New York, and enjoys a tax-exempt status granted by the U.S. Internal Revenue Service.