Two Nations. One Legacy.
Celebrating the strategic partnership between Poland and the United States—a transatlantic alliance powered by shared values, growing trade and investment, and a steadfast commitment to security.
Poland & America
Partnership Forged in Liberty.
The National Polish American Foundation is dedicated to promoting, protecting, and advancing the historic and strategic bond between the people of Poland and the United States.
Our mission is to foster Polish-American cooperation across business, defense, politics, education, and culture—building bridges between two nations that have stood for liberty for over two centuries. Today that partnership carries nearly $39 billion in annual trade, supports more than 1,500 U.S. companies and over 267,000 jobs in Poland, and anchors NATO’s eastern flank, where Poland leads the alliance at 4.7% of GDP on defense.
We also work to preserve and promote Polish-American heritage—honoring generations of Polish immigrants whose legacy remains a living part of America’s national identity.
Studies
USA vs China: what do Poles think?
In our latest study with OGB, we asked Poles a simple but telling question: America or China? A slim majority – 51% – now see China as the defining power of the 21st century, a measure of how effectively Beijing has sold itself as the country of the future. Yet when it comes to the partnerships Poles actually want, the picture reverses: 56% would deepen economic ties with the European Union and 28% with the United States, against just 16% for China, and in the event of a U.S.–China conflict only 2.6% would side with Beijing.
Beneath this lies real unease—about dependence on Chinese producers, the weakening of European industry, and surveillance through Chinese technology, a worry shared by nearly 62% of respondents. For U.S.–Polish relations the signal is clear: as America seeks trusted partners to replace the Middle Kingdom in its supply chains, Poland is well placed to step in, and this is where the Foundation sees the clearest path forward—helping Polish firms in technology, defense, and software reach the American market, and strengthening the bond between two democracies that are stronger when they stand together.
Polish Society: A Study of Values
In our next study, conducted together with OGB, we examined the core values of Polish society. The findings show that Poles remain a relatively conservative people, with family, health, and safety at the top of their priorities. Strikingly, it is the youngest cohort—those aged 18 to 29—who hold the most conservative views, suggesting that the next generation is looking for stability in an increasingly unpredictable world rather than ideological revolution.
The same study delivers a telling signal for U.S.–Polish relations: when Poles think of America, they think first and foremost of money and business. That perception points to where the public appetite for cooperation is strongest—and where the Foundation sees the clearest opportunity to deepen the partnership in the years ahead.
Polish perceptions of foreign countries
PNAF has partnered with the reputable Polish research firm OGB to examine Polish perceptions of foreign countries, their leaders, and Poland’s global position. Findings show that most Poles view the USA as a friendly state and a more dependable ally in times of conflict compared to Western European nations.
Legacy
Heroes Then. Leaders Now.
The foundation of Polish-American friendship was laid during the American Revolution, when Tadeusz Kościuszko and Casimir Pulaski crossed the Atlantic to fight for American independence.
In the generations that followed, Polish immigrants helped build the United States as engineers, industrialists, and entrepreneurs. Tadeusz Sendzimir revolutionized steelmaking with the Z-Mill, a 20th-century industrial standard. Frank Piasecki pioneered the tandem-rotor helicopter, the design behind today’s CH-47 Chinook. Max Factor, born in Łódź, transformed the American beauty industry. Edward J. Piszek built Mrs. Paul’s Kitchens into an iconic American consumer brand. More recently, Martha Stewart—née Kostyra—built one of the country’s most recognized media and lifestyle empires.
Today, more than 9 million Polish-Americans contribute to every aspect of American life—government, science, the arts, business, and sports.
We support programs that celebrate Polish-American culture and enterprise—from cultural festivals and historical commemorations to business forums and galas—connecting communities and carrying forward the values of faith, family, freedom, and hard work.
History
History of Polish-American Relations
Contact
Let’s Work Together
National Polish American Foundation, 1500 K Street, Washington, DC 20005