A Knight for Humanity:
Celebrating Sallo Polak
At 18:00 on 8 October 2026 in Hilversum, the Netherlands, our founder, Sallo Polak, received a knighthood in recognition of his outstanding service to people in need.
For all of us at Philanthropy Connections Foundation (PCF), this is an incredibly proud and moving moment. It is also an opportunity to reflect on the remarkable journey of a man who chose to dedicate his life to making the world a fairer place.
More than 20 years ago, Sallo made a life-changing decision. After a successful career in the Dutch television industry, he came to Southeast Asia in 2006, driven by a desire to do something meaningful for people facing poverty and hardship.
What he discovered would shape the rest of his life: countless small, local organisations were working tirelessly to help their own communities, yet lacked the resources and connections needed to turn their ideas into reality.
In 2011, Sallo founded Philanthropy Connections Foundation in Chiang Mai, Thailand, with a simple but powerful vision: to connect these dedicated local organisations with the people and resources they need to make a lasting difference.
Today, that vision continues across Thailand, Myanmar and Cambodia. Through partnerships with local organisations, PCF supports initiatives that provide children with access to education, help vulnerable families meet their basic needs, improve healthcare and create opportunities for people who might otherwise be left behind.
But Sallo's work has never been just about providing assistance. It is about recognising people's potential, respecting their dignity and helping communities build better futures for themselves.
This knighthood recognises not only a lifetime of commitment, but the countless lives touched by that commitment.
Of course, no one builds something like PCF alone. Behind this journey are the local organisations who do the essential work on the ground, the colleagues and volunteers who give their time and talents, and the donors and supporters who believe in our mission. Together, they have helped turn Sallo's vision into meaningful, lasting change.
Congratulations, Sallo. And thank you for continuing to show us what it means to put humanity first. On behalf of everyone at Philanthropy Connections Foundation, we are immensely proud of you, grateful for your leadership, and inspired by the example you continue to set.
And while this honour celebrates what you have achieved, we know that your work is far from finished.
