The first international edition of TOP CHARITY Venice Experience, initiated by Polish-Ghanaian philanthropist Omenaa Mensah, brought together leading figures from the worlds of business, art and culture in Venice. Over the course of a single evening, Polish entrepreneurs demonstrated both the scale of their ambitions and their ability to drive meaningful change. The auction raised more than EUR 3 million, dedicated to social impact initiatives. This means that approximately EUR 34,000 was raised every minute during the auction. With this result, TOP CHARITY has established itself as one of Europe’s most effective philanthropic initiatives, surpassing the fundraising results of many comparable events across the continent.
Omenaa Mensah and Åsa Regnér during the signing ceremony for the strategic partnership in Paris. Copyright: UNESCO / Saskia Maitrepierre
I have always carried two worlds within me: Europe and Africa. Poland gave me education, opportunities and the tools to grow, while Africa is my heart, my soul and my DNA. This dual perspective taught me how to build bridges: between Europe and Africa, business and philanthropy, art and tangible impact, and above all, between people. TOP CHARITY was founded on this very idea. I believe that true success is not only about what we achieve or possess, but about what we are able to do with it for others. Venice has more than 400 bridges. During the TOP CHARITY Venice Experience, we built another one, because the future belongs to those who knowhow to build bridges between worlds
- says Omenaa Mensah, creator and initiator of TOP CHARITY.
The charity auction featured nine exceptional works, reflecting a diversity of generations, cultures, perspectives and forms of artistic expression:
1. Andy Warhol (US), "Katie Jones”, 1973, 1 150 000 euro,
2. Cornelius Annor (GH), "Nkrumah Pencil”, 2026, 160 000 euro,
3. Xawery Wolski (PL), "Links of Infinity”, 2018, ed. 1/8, 70 000 euro,
4. Antoine Farrugia (MT), "Untitled”, 2008, 70 000 euro,
5. Raphael Adjetey Adjei Mayne (GH), "One Corner”, 2026, 70 000 euro,
6. Ewa Czwartos (PL), "Charyty”, 2026, 65 000 euro,
7. Tegene Kunbi (ET), "Imperial Garden”, 2026, 60 000 euro,
8. Nikol Andonova - NIKYOTO (BG), "Molten Marble”, 2026, 50 000 euro,
9. LR Vandy (GB/SL), "Linked”, 2023, 45 000 euro.
One of the event’s key artistic voices was Tegene Kunbi, a contemporary Ethiopian artist representing Ethiopia at the 61st Venice Biennale. His work, "Imperial Garden”, was also included in the TOP CHARITY Venice Experience auction, linking Ethiopia’s presence at the Biennale with the event’s philanthropic dimension.
Omenaa Mensah, Tegene Kunbi Photo: Alex Dolny
The fifth season of TOP CHARITY is built around dialogue between Europe and Africa. Following the Warsaw edition, which focused on Ghana, Asante culture and the historic ties between Poland and Africa, Ethiopia took centre stage in Venice. The evening’s central theme drew on the legend of the Queen of Sheba and King Solomon, reinterpreted as a contemporary metaphor for wisdom, curiosity, dialogue and responsible leadership. Special guests included Asfaw Shiferaw Sahle and his daughter, Princess Kelmwork Asfaw Shiferaw, representatives of the Ethiopian Imperial Family. The Venice edition also marked the beginning of a partnership withThe Order of the Queen of Sheba Foundation, which supports research, education and the preservation of the cultural heritage of African civilizations.
The evening was hosted by Jo-Ann Strauss, South African presenter and philanthropist and Radosław Mróz, a Warner Bros. Discovery journalist. The auctionwas conducted by Alex Branczik of Sotheby’s.
Jo-Ann Strauss and Radosław Mróz Photo: Alex Dolny
I would like to thank Venice for the exceptionally warm welcome extended to TOP CHARITY. My special thanks go to the Honorary Consul of the Republic of Poland in Venice, Marco Ferruzzi Balbi, whose support and personal involvement played an important role in making our first international edition possible. The openness we encountered in the city confirmed that art and philanthropy can successfully bring people together across borders
- says Omenaa Mensah, initiator of TOP CHARITY.
Marco Ferruzzi Balbi, Rafał Brzoska, Omenaa Mensah, Simone Venturini Press materials
The day after the event, together with my husband, Rafał Brzoska, we met with Simone Venturini, Mayor of Venice. We discussed the city’s plans and the key directions for the development of culture and the arts. From our very first conversation, a shared ambition emerged to build a new bridge between Poland, Italy and Africa, based on business, culture, art and philanthropy. It is the best proof that an idea born in Poland can now open the door to cooperation of international significance
- says Omenaa Mensah.
In the TOP CHARITY model, the auction finale does not mark the end of the process. The funds raised are allocated to specific social, educational and culturalprojects with clearly defined goals, budgets, beneficiary groups and measurableoutcomes. One of the key elements of this system is the Philanthropic Consortiumoperating within TOP CHARITY. Through its grant programme, the organisation supports charitable initiatives in Poland, Africa and other parts of the world. The current call for applications for the 4th edition of the 2026/2027 Grant Programme focuses on sport and health, physical activity, prevention and health-promoting initiatives aimed at improving the quality of life of children, young people and seniors. Funds mobilised around TOP CHARITY also support projects carried out by Omenaa Foundation, OmenaArt Foundation and Rafał Brzoska Foundation, including education for children in Poland and Africa, scholarship programmes, artist development and heritage preservation.
Strong cities, much like strong companies, thrive when they are open to people, capital, new ideas and international cooperation. Venice understands this perfectly. Our meeting with Simone Venturini, Mayor of Venice, showed us a city with an extraordinary heritage and, at the same time, a modern vision for the future. I particularly appreciate the warm and generous welcome Venice extended to Polish entrepreneurs and to the TOP CHARITY initiative. Polish business is now ready not only to invest and expand globally, but also to bring its values and sense of social responsibility to the international stage. I believe this is the beginning of very tangible cooperation between Poland, Italy and Africa
- says Rafał Brzoska.
During the TOP CHARITY Venice Experience, the TOP CHARITY Award was presented to Kristofer Ruscon, co-founder and owner of HATT et SÖNER, and Omenaa Mensah, who was recognised for creating a model of systemic philanthropy that brings together business, social organisations, art, education and culture.
Getty Images Italy TOP CHARITY Venice Experience 2026: https://www.gettyimages.it/search/2/image?family=editorial&phrase=top%20charity%20Venice%20experience&sort=newest
Photographers: Alex Dolny, Cezary Piwowarski, Getty Images Italy
Social media: @omenaamensah I @omenaartfoundation I @omenaafoundation
ABOUT TOP CHARITY:
TOP CHARITY is a philanthropic initiative bringing together the worlds of business, art, culture and social impact. Its originator and the creator of its vision, concept and creative architecture is Polish-Ghanaian philanthropist Omenaa Mensah. Rafał Brzoska, entrepreneur and philanthropist, is a co-creator of the initiative, supporting its business development, scale and the expansion of its network of private donors and partners.
Since 2022, TOP CHARITY has developed into an ecosystem of collaboration bringing together private donors, entrepreneurs, social organisations, experts, artists and cultural institutions. After five seasons, the total value of mobilised support has exceeded EUR 57,2 million, while the ecosystem’s activities have encompassed 238 projects.
The initiative’s international standing is further confirmed by, among others, three Gold Awards and one Bronze Award received at the Eventex Awards 2026, as well as the iLuxury Award 2026 in theBest Luxury Services - Luxury Charity Initiative category.