The National Endowment Fund “13 centuries Bulgaria” was established by Decree no 51 of the Council of Ministers on 17 December 1981.as the first and only state-of-the-kind public organization for donating activity in Bulgaria in connection with the celebration of 1 300 years since the establishment of the Bulgarian State.
On May 22, 1981, the fund registered a contribution from the sculptor Henry Moore – his bronze work “Head-Helmet No 6”, 1975, today in the collection of National Gallery.
In the years after its formation, “13 centuries Bulgaria” unites the generous contribution, effort and will of over 80 000 donors and through them participates in the creation and development of 250 national cultural sites, Education, science, health, sports… Among them are public institutions, national and regional museums and galleries, churches and monasteries, monuments dedicated to Bulgarian history, reconstructed Monuments to soldiers’ fame.
With the law of the National Endowment Fund “13 centuries Bulgaria”, SG. b. 12 of 9 February 2001, the Funds been transformed, validated are the structure and mode of management, and its main objectives and targets. Its Mission has been formulated “to organize and support the donation activities of Bulgarian and foreign natural and legal persons in support of education, science, culture, restoration and preservation of historical and cultural values, health and other social spheres”.
In accordance with its task of validating and developing philanthropy and with modern world practices in this field, the fund formulates its priorities:
- A life-changing education
- Science for a Sustainable future
- Preservation of cultural heritage
- Promoting Bulgarian culture as a modern national identity
NEF “13 Centuries Bulgaria” works for national causes and organizes campaigns in favor of socially significant projects, attracts new donors, performs strictly the donation will.
The Fund has the status of formal relations with UNESCO for the period from 2015 to 2021.