SZOFI: When We Give Together, We Create Impact Together

Community, connection, and giving are at the heart of SZOFI – the Solidarity Philanthropy Society for Women. But SZOFI is about much more than that.

Through the With Women ‘Solidarity’ Programme of the Roots and Wings Foundation, we have created a new giving circle to make supporting women’s causes a more personal, accessible, and community-driven experience. At SZOFI, we do more than donate. We meet the people who work every day to create change, hear their stories, ask questions, and become part of an inspiring community.

On 11 June, we held our very first SZOFI evening in an extraordinary open-air setting at Fény Street Market in Budapest. Nearly sixty people came together to step away from their everyday routines, meet one another, and learn about three civil society initiatives working to improve the lives of women.

From the very beginning, the atmosphere was something special. Friends and strangers shared tables, conversations flowed naturally, and stories were exchanged throughout the evening. Actress Karina Kecskés hosted the event, while journalist Bea Kiss led engaging conversations with representatives of the featured organisations, helping participants better understand the issues they champion.

What truly made the evening unique was the opportunity to continue these conversations beyond the stage. Representatives of the organisations joined participants at their tables, creating space for genuine dialogue. This personal connection transformed the act of giving: participants could ask questions, hear first-hand experiences, and build a deeper understanding of the causes they ultimately chose to support.

The feedback we received confirmed that these personal encounters were among the most meaningful aspects of the evening. As one participant shared: “Meeting the organisations in person and hearing their answers made the experience of giving so much more meaningful.” Another guest reflected: “It was inspiring to see small civil society organisations achieving such remarkable things.”

For this reason, becoming a member of SZOFI means much more than attending three events. Membership is an opportunity to become part of a community. It brings together people who are open to understanding women’s experiences, attentive to women’s perspectives, and convinced that we can achieve greater impact when we act together. It is a space where new perspectives, inspiring people, and authentic stories come together while we stand alongside causes that matter to us.

People can join SZOFI as individual members, together with a group of friends, or as corporate partners. Whatever the form of membership, the purpose remains the same: to turn goodwill into tangible support and personal encounters into collective impact.

One of the highlights of the evening was the live fundraising auction, which raised a total of HUF 1,550,000. Participants collectively awarded HUF 500,000 each to the Józan Babák Association, which supports pregnant women and mothers with young children affected by substance use, and to the KacsaKő Association, which provides a safe and welcoming community for Roma teenage girls growing up in segregated settlements. The remaining HUF 550,000 was granted to the Pont-Mi Association, which works to strengthen the self-esteem and wellbeing of women living in Kétsoprony, a small village in Békés County, helping amplify their voices and foster stronger community connections. We are proud that SZOFI’s very first collective act of giving is already supporting three organisations whose work creates meaningful change every single day.

Our first SZOFI evening confirmed what we had hoped: there is a real desire for a community where philanthropy is enriched by personal encounters, thoughtful conversations, and shared learning.

If this is the kind of community you would like to be part of, we would be delighted to welcome you to SZOFI. Our next gathering will take place in February 2027.

Photos: Fanni Fövényi