Energy, Ideas and Renewed Conviction – A Spontaneous Reflection After the 4th Meeting of Community Foundations in Spain
The 2025 Spanish Community Foundations Meeting in Madrid brought together foundations, universities, support organisations and international guests to exchange ideas, strengthen networks and celebrate impact. Over two days of dialogue, reflection and workshops, participants reaffirmed the growing movement in Spain, highlighted the power of collective intelligence, and welcomed the launch of the country’s tenth community foundation —the first in Madrid, the Hortaleza Filanda Community Foundation.
Community Foundations in Ukraine: Resilience in Times of War
Despite the ongoing war, Ukrainian community foundations continue to play a crucial role in supporting local populations, adapting to new
challenges, and fostering resilience. Viktoriia Zablotska from the National Network of Local Philanthropy Development shares insights into their efforts, highlighting the experiences of three foundations operating under extreme conditions.
Local Philanthropy and Community Foundations in European Capital Cities. Challenges and opportunities.
This report explores the challenges and opportunities faced by community foundations in European capital cities, focusing on local development and philanthropy. Drawing on case examples and wider experience brought by participants, it underscores key learnings related to scalability, meaningful partnerships, and social innovation. The exploration of a variety of locally oriented approaches aims to contribute to the promotion of sustainable urban development.
Guide to Italian Community Foundations 2nd Edition 2023 ABSTRACT
This abstract introduces the second edition of the Guide to Italian Community Foundations (2023), presenting an overview of the field’s development, scale and diversity. It highlights how community foundations operate across different regional contexts, fulfil varied roles and contribute to addressing social challenges. The guide combines data, practitioner insights and external perspectives to illustrate the added value of community foundations and the importance of networking and support infrastructure in strengthening the movement.
Safeguarding Principles and Community Foundations
This report explores how safeguarding principles can be embedded in the work of community foundations and their support organisations. It outlines what safeguarding means in practice, why it is essential for responsible and high-quality work, and how organisations can develop and implement policies. Drawing on examples from the UK and Serbia, it highlights safeguarding as an organisational development process that strengthens trust, accountability, and ethical standards while protecting beneficiaries, staff, and partners.
COVID-19 Community Foundations in Action: Poland – Offering hope
This story from Poland shows how community foundations stepped in during the COVID-19 crisis to fill critical gaps left by public systems. Through grassroots mobilisation, emergency coalitions, and direct support to vulnerable groups, they provided practical help while also fostering connection, trust, and hope within their communities.
How County Durham Community Foundation (UK) embraced the SDGs
This case shows how County Durham Community Foundation integrated the SDGs into its organisational practice, using them as a tool to clarify impact, strengthen donor communication and guide decision-making. It highlights a gradual, practical approach—from internal alignment and mapping grants to embedding SDGs in branding, reporting and relationships—demonstrating how global goals can become part of everyday operations.
Achieving social cohesion whilst social distancing
This webinar summary captures how community foundations adapted to the shift towards online engagement during COVID-19 and reflects on what this means for their future role. It highlights both the limitations and opportunities of digital interaction, from weakened relational depth to increased accessibility and efficiency. The publication emphasises the need for a mindset shift—from place-based, synchronous engagement to more flexible, hybrid approaches—while maintaining the relational core of community philanthropy.
COVID-19 Community Foundations in Action: Romania – Adapting to bring back quality of life
This case from Romania shows how the Bucharest Community Foundation adapted rapidly to the COVID-19 crisis by setting up emergency funds for healthcare and vulnerable groups, while also transforming its flagship fundraising event into a successful online campaign. It highlights the importance of flexibility, local partnerships and maintaining community connection—even through small acts that restore dignity and quality of life.
COVID-19 Community Foundations in Action: Russia – New demands, new ways of working
This case from Russia shows how the Community Foundation Garant adapted its role during the COVID-19 crisis by moving beyond grantmaking to direct support and coordination. Faced with rising social needs, it strengthened collaboration with partners, mobilised a large volunteer base and combined funding with hands-on delivery of aid, demonstrating flexibility and responsiveness in a rapidly changing context.
