The Ball is the Foundation’s primary fundraiser supporting its educational and cultural programs and the Kosciuszko Foundation Stand with Ukraine Fund. The program will include KF Chairman of Trustees and Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Alex Storozynski and President and Executive Director Marek Skulimowski speaking about the organization’s ongoing efforts.

The Kosciuszko Foundation (KF) 86th Annual Fundraising Ball & Dinner will take place on Saturday, April 22, 2023, at The Plaza in New York City. This year, the Foundation will celebrate the achievements of Polish musicians and honor two leading figures who have contributed to shaping the image of Polish music worldwide: Urszula Dudziak and Waldemar Dabrowski.

The KF Medal of Recognition will be awarded to Urszula Dudziak, a world-renowned Polish jazz singer. She has performed for over five decades with the greats of jazz including Herbie Hancock, Ron Carter, Nina Simone, Carmen McRae, and Sting, among others, in countries in Europe, Asia, and the Americas. She has recorded 40 albums. In 1972, her album “Newborn Light” was recognized by the prestigious American magazine Down Beat with a top rating of five stars. Her ascendancy to the top of the jazz world was secured when the Los Angeles Times named her Singer of the Year in 1979.

During the Ball, the Foundation will also bestow the KF Medal of Recognition to Waldemar Dabrowski, General Director of the Polish National Opera, former Minister of Culture, and a leader in the field of classical music. His pioneering initiatives influenced the development of the Polish cultural scene and contributed to the promotion of Poland’s rich national heritage across the globe. Both Urszula Dudziak and Waldemar Dabrowski will be available for interviews during the event. 

The Ball is the Foundation’s primary fundraiser supporting its educational and cultural programs and is the premiere event in the Polish American community. The KF also continues to help refugees affected by the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Since the war began, the KF has raised over $1.7 million to provide humanitarian assistance to the Ukrainian people. The KF Stand Ukraine fund initially supported the most critical human essentials: food and medical aid. With time, the financial assistance goals broadened to include educational support for Ukrainian children and funding for scholars and students through “Flying Universities.” Ukrainian community representatives will be present during the Ball to show solidarity with the KF’s efforts.

The first KF Ball was organized in 1928 to honor Ignacy J. Paderewski, a famous pianist, composer, politician, statesman, and spokesman for Polish independence. Over the years, the KF has continued this annual tradition of saluting individuals, whose extraordinary achievements are a testament to the excellence of the human spirit, with the KF Medal of Recognition. Past recipients include the former President of Poland, Solidarity leader and Nobel Peace Prize laureate Lech Walesa, theoretical physicist and Nobel Prize laureate Dr. Frank Wilczek, and the former U.S. Senator and Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel.  

The Ball is a black-tie event and attended by over 300 people. Tickets can be purchased by contacting (212) 734-2130, or email marketing@thekf.org. Student tickets are available at a discounted price. For more information, visit the website www.thekf.org.

About the Kosciuszko Foundation:

The Kosciuszko Foundation is a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting educational and cultural exchanges between the U.S. and Poland since 1925. It awards over 1.6 million dollars annually in scholarships, grants, and fellowships to graduate students, scholars, scientists, professionals, and artists. Additionally, since the Russian invasion of Ukraine began, the Kosciuszko Foundation has raised over 1.7 million dollars to provide humanitarian assistance to Ukrainian refugees.