Ekaterina Voronina, the Executive Director of the Development Fund of the Graduate School of Management, St. Petersburg University (GSOM SPbU), spoke at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum as an expert in the discussion on "Volunteer and Charitable Projects for Achieving Sustainable Development Goals and Improving Quality of Life in Regions." The event took place on June 17, 2023, at the "St. Petersburg" booth.

The discussion was initiated by the "Committee for Youth Policy and Cooperation with Public Organizations" of St. Petersburg. According to Committee Chairman Bogdan Zastavny, the city government actively participates in various development-related events, including corporate volunteering, and is prepared to provide maximum support to initiatives proposed by the business community and public organizations.

Currently, experts are identifying several key areas that are being discussed within the ESG agenda. These include volunteer and charitable projects for achieving sustainable development goals, circular economy issues, the development of systemic philanthropy, mentoring and training in the field of volunteering, as well as the role of endowment funds and charitable foundations in developing systemic charitable projects using universities as examples.

As of 2022, Russia has registered 270 endowment funds, with a total asset volume exceeding 40 billion rubles. The largest university endowment in Russia is MGIMO (1.7 billion rubles). The GSOM SPbU endowment ranks among the top 10.

Ekaterina Voronina further elaborated on the goals and objectives of the fund during the discussion:

"The endowment fund and the charitable development fund genuinely contribute to transforming GSOM SPbU, and fostering responsible leaders for our country. This significance extends not only to the present but also to the future, even if it is not immediate. The education, competencies, and skills that students acquire at tthe Business School, along with their ideas and dreams, represent the active perpetuity of our patrons' contributions. The prosperity and stability of the Graduate School of Management, the professionalism of its instructors, and the strength of its students directly influence the demand and individual success of each graduate, as well as the brand power of the company that supports the Business School. Consequently, by supporting the Graduate School of Management, all our benefactors contribute not only to the development of quality education in Russia but also to their own success. Endowment is an everlasting investment, something that endures beyond us and operates for many years, serving as a reliable pillar for the entire Business School and future generations of students who will come to study at the GSOM SPbU"

The endowment fund and the charitable fund of the Graduate School of Management, St. Petersburg University, finance nearly 30% of all expenses associated with implementing the development strategy. Through a stable financial flow from trustees, benefactors, and partners, the Business School can execute various projects, including supporting faculty members and students (through scholarships, grants, and academic mobility), developing and implementing new educational programs and formats (such as championships, laboratories, and research centers), upgrading campus facilities, and advancing the IT infrastructure of the Graduate School of Management, St. Petersburg University.

An integral part of the funds' work at GSOM SPbU is the implementation of the ESG agenda. The Business School regularly hosts webinars and masterclasses on proper waste management, organizes visits to recycling plants responsible for handling campus waste, and fosters the GSOM Green Campus student project.