Support BISLA

Why is it worth supporting BISLA?

BECAUSE OF WHAT WE DO AND WHO WE ARE:

A Quality Education, Small Classes, a Personal Approach, English-Language Medium, and Scholarships for the Best.

 Who could I support?

Students. First and foremost, your support goes to BISLA students. Your contribution will be used to build the Endowment Fund, a special account whose interest is used for student scholarships, travel costs, and academic event expenses.

The Endowment Fund allows our students to attend conferences and events they would otherwise be unable to afford, events like the University Model UN Conference in Germany and the Democracy Forum in Greece. Key to the Endowment Fund are regular donors. Our primary sponsor, the Endeavor Foundation, matches every contribution to the Endowment Fund.

 

How do I become a regular donor?

Becoming a regular donor is very easy. You can choose to give online through the online portal on the right, where you can select the type and amount of your donation, or set up a regular contribution through your internet banking using the bank account information below.

Those who decide to donate on a regular basis are kept up to date via the BISLA newsletter and meetings of sponsors and friends of BISLA. Of course, regular donors also receive our annual financial report about the school’s finances and the Endowment Fund. Donors are also offered unique opportunities to participate in special annual events, such as cultural events, seminars, and discussions with interesting individuals.

BISLA Endowment Fund

HOW DOES THE ENDOWMENT WORK?
The Endowment Fund is an investment fund. Finances are deposited directly into the Endowment Fund and dividends are earned the investments made, thus, growing the Fund. BISLA can then use the finances earned to provide for various needs. The more money in the Fund, the more dividends it produces. Theoretically, if there were enough money in the Fund, BISLA could operate off the money it makes. Your contribution remains secure in the bank while you follow how the Endowment Fund grows.

Endowments are commonplace in the world of non-governmental organizations and universities to gain long-term financial self-sufficiency and security, which is exactly what BISLA needs as well.

WHAT ARE WE ASKING FOR?
We are asking for financial donations, either small, monthly donations of 5 or 10 EUR or one- time larger donations. In both cases, the donation can be made by direct deposit into the Endowment Fund account (i.e. bank transfer) or paid online using a debit/credit card. See below for the Endowment Fund banking details and online giving.

AREN’T BISLA FUNDS AND SUPPORT FROM PRIVATE DONORS ENOUGH?

The short answer is ‘no’.
BISLA receives support for its projects from various sources including grants and donationsfrom the private sector. This support, however, covers only a limited budget and is not long-term. It does not cover all the school’s regular expenses and is unable to contribute to its
financial independence. Although the business sector acknowledges the quality of a BISLA education provides, it has
pledged support in the past but has rarely followed through. It seems to lack the motivation for regular support. We believe that as the business sector hears of BISLA alumni not only speaking highly the institution but also giving back to it financially, they can be persuaded to do the same.
At the same time, we welcome suggestions about individuals and companies who might be interested in supporting excellent, quality education so that we may approach them for one- time donations to the Endowment Fund.

DO GRADUATES ABROAD REALLY SUPPORT THEIR ALMA MATERS?

The majority of the world’s most prestigious schools operate off endowments that are made up of donations from their alumni. Not only do they support their alma maters financially, they even donate large portions of their assets.
This is your opportunity to positively influence the future of your alma mater in the same way it tried to positively influence yours. Your donation to the Endowment Fund will enable us to continue to provide quality education for each new generation of students.
The Endeavour Foundation, which has been committed to BISLA offering an excellent liberal arts education since its founding, will match every donation you make.

WHAT DOES BISLA OFFER REGULAR DONORS?
As a regular donor, you will be informed about all things BISLA via its newsletter. You are also our special guests at our annual BISLA alumni gatherings. You will also receive the annual financial report about the school and the Endowment. Donors are also offered unique opportunities to participate in special annual events, such as cultural events, seminars, and discussions with interesting individuals.

WHAT HAPPENS WITH THE DONATIONS I’VE MADE IF BISLA CLOSES ITS DOORS?
If BISLA shut down, any donations you have made to the Endowment would be refunded to you.
However, BISLA has no intention of ever closing its doors. The Endowment Fund has been created specifically so that BISLA never has to face that possibility. It allows BISLA to operate in the long-term and grow the quality of the education that is provides.

Thanks to your donation, BISLA’s doors will remain open.

Bank Account Information

Bank Account Information
Bratislavská medzinárodná škola liberálnych štúdií, n.o.
Grösslingová 53
811 09 Bratislava
Account no.: 1429357058/1111
SWIFT: UNICRSKBX
IBAN: SK56 1111 0000 0014 2935 7058

Sponsors

These organizations have supported the operation and activities of BISLA:

The Endeavor Foundation (formerly Christian A. Johnson Endeavor Foundation)

The Erasmus Program of the European Union

Dell Slovakia

The Office of the Plenipotentiary of the Slovak Government for Roma Communities

The Ministry of Culture

Partnership

BISLA cooperates with several universities and colleges as well as associations at home and worldwide to facilitate student and faculty exchanges, projects, activities.

Higher education associations

The Global Liberal Arts Alliance

ECOLAS – the European Colleges of Liberal Arts and Sciences

The Great Lakes Colleges Association, USA

Universities

University College Roosevelt, Middelburg, The Netherlands

Marlboro College, Vermont, USA

Faculty of Humanities, Charles University in Prague, Czech Republic

Tilburg University, Netherlands

University College Maastricht,  Netherlands

Faculty of Social and Economic Studies, Comenius University in Bratislava, Slovakia

Artes Liberales, Warsaw, Poland

Denison University, Ohio, USA

Other partners

Eurozine, Vienna, Austria

Institut für die Wissenschaften von Menschen,Vienna, Austria

Res Publica Nowa, Warsaw, Poland

Support us

Your donation helps us offer excellent education to the next generations of students. You can make one time donation, or set monthly payment to help us.