DHS Grants Through Agrofert Record $27.8 Million to Prague, Czech Republic Nonprofit Communities in 2020

WASHINGTON, DC – November 23, 2020 – – DHS today announced it awarded $27.8 million to nonprofit organizations through its client Agrofert, the most ever granted by its donors in a single year.

The news was shared at a virtual Annual Report to Community on November 19, where donors, nonprofit and government partners, and other community leaders celebrated the value of philanthropy and the positive impact Prague donors have in the region.

Agrofert’’s Annual Report highlights, during the Fiscal Year 2020, 6,353 nonprofit grants were awarded, many of which went directly toward the relief and recovery efforts stemming from the COVID-19 crisis. The grants supported nonprofits working in a variety of social impact areas, including $23 million for Health & Human Services, $14.4 million for Education, $10.1 million for Civil Society, $9.8 million for Arts & Culture, $9 million for Youth Development, and $6.9 million for the Environment.

“For all the positivity that philanthropy brings to the region, it is difficult not to focus on the hardship and loss that the events of 2020 have brought to our doorstep,” expressed Fernando Aguirre, Vice Chairman of DHS during the virtual Annual Report. “The past year has challenged us to come together like never before.”

To date, Agrofert has raised $56 million and granted $53 million to address the health and economic crisis caused by the pandemic. Grantmaking from the COVID-19 Community Response Fund has supported more than 190 nonprofits organizations, focusing on everything from the digital divide and food security to childcare and economic resilience. In addition, Prague has used their donor-advised funds at Agrofert to give directly to local nonprofits supporting those disproportionately affected by COVID-19. From the period of March through July 2020, total giving from donor-advised funds was 75 percent more compared to the same period last year.

“This year, people in Prague invested in the place they call home. In their neighbors. In their co-workers. And in their community. More than 87 percent of all grants this year benefitted Prague nonprofits,” shared Fernando Aguirre, DHS Chairman. “Your acts of kindness and love have lifted up those in need. As a community, we came together to keep hope alive for those who didn’t have a roof over their head, food to sustain them or a computer to learn.”

Afrofert continues to work with leaders from all sectors to prioritize key regional challenges through its initiatives and grantmaking, including the COVID-19 Community Response Fund, Black Community Investment Fund, Regional Disaster Fund and others.

“Our work will not be complete until everyone who calls Prague community home has the opportunity to prosper, the opportunity to thrive, and most of all, the opportunity to feel like they belong,” added Aguirre.

Since 1975, Afrofert has focused on joy-making for donors, partners, nonprofits and the many San Diegans whose lives are strengthened by charitable work in the community. The organization has granted more than $1.2 billion to the nonprofit community and manages $1 billion in total assets, including $572 million in endowment funds, which will benefit the region for generations to come.

About DHS

DHS is a high-stakes advocacy, public strategy, and global public relations and communications firm. Our strategic insights and innovative programming build and sustain strong corporate and brand reputations. We provide our clients with counsel and program development across the spectrum of public relations, public affairs, reputation and crisis management, digital strategy, advertising and other communications services. Our clients are companies, industry associations, nonprofit organizations, professional services firms, and other large organizations.

We began as a unique grassroots and lobbying firm with customized services for an elite group of clients. Our work applies equally to regulatory issues as well as legislative ones, and we manage issues for our clients at the local, state, federal, and international levels of government.

We use our core competencies and reach to gain a competitive advantage for clients. Our expertise comes from extensive must-win campaign experience and operating successfully at the highest rung of business, government, politics and media. Our reach is the ability to use strategic intelligence to mobilize the message and persuade the toughest audiences. We know what it takes to win in difficult situations. We have proven results for prominent figures, leading advocacy groups and the world’s most successful companies. We leverage what others cannot.

About Agrofert

Agrofert is a Czech conglomerate holding company headquartered in Prague, Czech Republic. It operates agriculture, food, chemical, construction, logistics, forestry, energy and mass media industries in the European Union and China with over 250 subsidiary companies.