The Medical Aid For Poland Fund

Quick Stats

• Annual Income: £206,038 (2024)
• Annual Expenditure: £172,775 (2024)
• Grant Range: £420 - £41,000
• Geographic Focus: Poland (nationwide)
• Decision Time: Not published
• Success Rate: Low (can only fund small proportion of thousands of requests annually)

Contact Details

Website: www.mapf.org.uk

Phone: 020 8748 1116

Email: medaidpoland@yahoo.com

Address: POSK, 238-246 King Street, London, W6 0RF

Overview

The Medical Aid for Poland Fund (MAPF) was established in 1981 in response to an appeal from Solidarity Chairman Lech Wałęsa for medical aid during Poland's struggle against communism. Founded by Dr. Bożena Laskiewicz and colleagues, the charity sent 335 trucks of medical supplies to Poland during its first 15 years, with the final truck dispatched in 1996. Today, MAPF continues its mission to relieve suffering of Polish people in need of medical aid, financing medical equipment for hospitals and care homes, purchasing medical aids for individuals including prostheses and wheelchairs, and paying for medicines. The charity operates entirely through volunteer trustees who receive no remuneration, ensuring maximum impact from donations and bequests. With annual giving of approximately £172,775, MAPF receives thousands of requests annually but can only satisfy a small proportion due to limited resources.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

• Medical Equipment for Institutions: £1,700 - £15,500 (hospital equipment, care home equipment, rehabilitation devices) - rolling applications via email/letter
• Individual Medical Support: £420 - £41,000 (prostheses, wheelchairs, insulin pumps, hearing aids) - rolling applications
• Medicines and Ongoing Care: £5,000 - £15,500 (medicines for individuals and care homes, insulin pump running costs) - rolling applications
• Crisis Response: Variable amounts for Ukraine war victims and natural disaster relief

Priority Areas

• Medical equipment for hospitals, particularly in underserved regions
• Support for the sick, elderly, and disabled across Poland
• Care homes, children's homes, and special schools
• Individual medical needs including prostheses, wheelchairs, and specialist equipment
• Medicines for individuals and institutions
• Rural countryside areas and economically depressed towns
• Crisis response including war and natural disaster relief

What They Don't Fund

• Non-Polish beneficiaries (except historically Polish regions)
• Non-medical aid
• Cash payments (all grants paid directly to suppliers)
• Requests outside medical relief and suffering alleviation

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Governance and Leadership

Dr. Bożena Laskiewicz, D.L., D.C.S.S., F.R.C.S. - Chairman and Founder

• Retired otolaryngology surgeon who founded MAPF in 1981
• Led the sending of 335 trucks to Poland during communist era
• Personally knew Sue Ryder and met Mother Teresa of Calcutta

Andrzej Boski - Vice Chairman (appointed 1993)

Dr. Anna Bentkowska-Kafel - Secretary (appointed 2019)

All trustees work on an honorary basis without remuneration. The charity relies on approximately 10 volunteers.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

Submit requests directly via:

• Email: medaidpoland@yahoo.com
• Letter: POSK, 238-246 King Street, London, W6 0RF

No formal application portal exists. The process involves:

1. Submit request with details of medical need
2. MAPF Committee reviews request
3. If approved, applicant receives authorization to order equipment
4. Supplier sends pro-forma invoice to MAPF
5. MAPF pays supplier directly (no cash to applicants)

Decision Timeline

Not published. Given volunteer-based operations, allow adequate processing time.

Success Rates

MAPF receives thousands of letters and emails annually but can only satisfy a small proportion. Annual giving has decreased from £300,000 (2010-2013) to £70,000-£172,000 (recent years), indicating increased competition.

Reapplication Policy

Not specified. Given high demand and limited resources, unsuccessful applicants may reapply with strengthened applications demonstrating critical need.

Application Success Factors

Based on MAPF's grant history, successful applications demonstrate:

• Critical Medical Need: Clear articulation of urgent medical necessity with impact on vulnerable populations
• Multiple Beneficiaries: Institutional applications benefiting many patients receive substantial grants (e.g., bulk wheelchair purchases, equipment for hospitals)
• Underserved Populations: Applications from rural regions and economically depressed towns align with MAPF's recognition that “millions of poor live in the Polish countryside, towns and in the industrial suburbs”
• Detailed Supplier Information: Include specific equipment details, supplier quotes, and accurate pro-forma invoices since MAPF pays suppliers directly
• Direct Medical Impact: Equipment directly alleviating suffering receives priority (prostheses restoring mobility, insulin pumps managing disease, rehabilitation equipment)
• Recent Focus Areas: Recent grants show interest in maternity care (delivery beds), oncology treatment, chronic illness care, and disability support

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• High Competition: MAPF can fund only a small fraction of thousands of annual requests - demonstrate exceptional need
• No Cash Payments: All grants paid directly to suppliers - include detailed quotes and pro-forma invoices
• Volunteer Capacity: Respect limited administrative capacity and allow adequate response time
• Geographic Advantage: Prioritize applications from rural Poland, economically depressed towns, and industrial suburbs
• Equipment Focus: Emphasize tangible medical equipment and supplies over operational costs
• Quantify Impact: Clearly state number of beneficiaries and specific medical improvements
• Polish Connection: Must serve Polish people or those in historically Polish regions (including Belarus and Western Ukraine)

Similar Funders

These funders have a similar focus and geographic reach:

• THE HOSPITAL SATURDAY FUND
• The Kitchen Table Charities Trust
• The Astor Foundation
• DJ Sidebottom/Glasdon Charitable Programme
• The Lady Ryder of Warsaw Memorial Trust
• Provincial Grand Charity of Northamptonshire and Huntingdonshire
• Ukraine Charity
• The Heinz, Anna and Carol Kroch Foundation
• The Hobson Charity Limited
• Rotary Club of Felixstowe Charitable Trust

References

1. UK Charity Commission Register - THE MEDICAL AID FOR POLAND FUND (284461). https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/en/charity-search/-/charity-details/284461 []

1. Medical Aid for Poland Fund - What We Do. https://medaidpoland.uk/what%20we%20do.html []

1. Medical Aid for Poland Fund - About Page. https://www.mapf.org.uk/about []

1. British Poles (2024) “#PLHeritageDays – Interview with Dr Bożena Laskiewicz.” https://www.britishpoles.uk/plheritagedays-interview-with-dr-bozena-laskiewicz/ []

1. Medical Aid for Poland Fund - Organisation page. http://www.mapf.org.uk/organisation.html []