The Role of Community Foundations in Achieving the Sustainable Development Goals
This research paper examines how community foundations are incorporating the Sustainable Development Goals into their strategies, programmes and grantmaking. Drawing on examples from North America, Europe, Asia and Africa, it highlights their role in generating local knowledge, educating and engaging communities, building cross-sector partnerships and connecting global goals with local action. The paper also considers the potential development of community foundations in Albania and their contribution to locally driven sustainable development.
Community Foundations and Refugees
This report captures learning from an ECFI meeting on how community foundations responded to the refugee crisis following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Drawing on experiences from Romania, Poland and Germany, it examines operational pressures, volunteer mobilisation, fundraising, cooperation with public bodies and the need for long-term integration strategies. It also highlights the distinctive value of community foundations as trusted local institutions able to act quickly, connect stakeholders and combine local knowledge with national and international support.
Learning Lab paper 2021 – Community foundation resilience in response to the Covid-19 pandemic
This paper examines how community foundations adapted their strategies, operations and funding practices during the COVID-19 pandemic. Drawing on interviews with practitioners and wider research, it highlights flexible grantmaking, digital transformation, community engagement, cross-sector cooperation and emergency response. The publication also considers the financial pressures faced by community foundations and shows how trust, local knowledge and strong relationships enabled them to respond quickly to changing social, health and economic needs.
How the SDGs Can Help Unlock the Mystery of Community Foundation Impact
This blog explores how the Sustainable Development Goals can provide community foundations and local charities with a shared framework for communicating their impact. It argues for a shift from short-term project funding towards sustainable support for core costs, organisational development and capacity building. Drawing on examples from UK community foundations, the article shows how the SDGs can strengthen donor understanding, encourage long-term partnerships and connect local action with broader social, economic and environmental goals.
From SDG Talk to Action
This publication explores how community foundations across Europe are integrating the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) into every aspect of their work through a whole-of-organisation approach. It documents ECFI’s collaboration with national support organisations to deliver SDG workshops, examines their impact on community foundations, identifies common challenges and good practices, and presents case studies from across Europe demonstrating how the SDGs can strengthen community leadership, strategy, communications, investment, and organisational development.
Digitalising processes for remote work and engagement with the community
This case study shows how the Community Foundation of the Canavese adapted to the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic by introducing new digital tools and communication practices. It describes how remote working, online collaboration and digital storytelling helped the foundation maintain relationships with donors, strengthen connections with local organisations and expand its fundraising activities. The publication also reflects on the role of digital transformation in building resilience and supporting long-term community engagement.
Community Foundations and support organisations response to the pandemic and their look towards the future: A comparative overview between Italy and Romania
his comparative publication examines how community foundations and their support organisations in Italy and Romania responded to the COVID-19 pandemic. It highlights their role in mobilising local resources, coordinating emergency responses, strengthening partnerships and adapting organisational practices under pressure. Drawing on survey findings and practitioner reflections, the publication also considers the long-term opportunities and challenges for community philanthropy, including organisational sustainability, core support, capacity building and collaboration across the sector.
State of the community foundation field in Europe 2020
This report provides a snapshot of the community foundation field in Europe in 2020, documenting its size, diversity and support infrastructure, while examining how community foundations and their support organisations responded to the COVID-19 pandemic. It explores key trends, challenges, the growing role of local philanthropy, and implications for strengthening the European community foundation movement.
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.
Romanian Federation – Advancing with solutions to local needs
This blog introduces the Romanian Federation of Community Foundations and its role in strengthening the country’s community foundation movement. It explores how the federation supports its members through capacity building, strategic partnerships and shared learning, while reflecting on the growing role of community foundations in addressing local challenges and responding to the COVID-19 crisis.
