Generating the will to give
The Novarese Community Foundation has embraced fund development by thinking long term and by getting out into the territory. Here, Gianluca Vacchini, describes their approach of asset building through generating knowledge and trust. This has resulted in over 100 active funds, and importantly created the opportunity for attracting the ‘unexpected’ donor.
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.
Transformative Learning: A Tale of Two Organisations. CF2CF Exchange Report
This report shares practical insights and inspiring stories from a peer learning exchange between the Romanian Federation of Community Foundation (FFCR) and the Spanish Association of Foundations (AEF). It highlights the transformative power of collaborative learning and offers valuable lessons for community engagement, event-based fundraising, and capacity building. The report also showcases innovative approaches and grantmaking schemes, providing valuable insights.
Lessons form an exchange: Austria – Romania
This report shares insights and inspiring stories from an exchange between Austrian initiative groups and Romanian community foundations. The exchange aimed to accelerate the development of the community foundation field in Austria by learning from successful practitioners in Romania. The report highlights the practical impact of the exchange, including shaping the Austrian community foundation program and launching the first Capacity Building program. It also showcases the innovative approaches and grantmaking schemes adopted by the Romanian community foundations to fund their projects.
The Elephant in the Porcelain Factory
Andreea Alexandrov, Federation of Romanian Community Foundations, was among the ECFI Delegates and a session speaker at the UKCF conference in Manchester in October. Nominated as one of the best presenters for the conference she always offers thoughtful insight, articulated in memorable ways. In the blog are her succinct reflections on the main conference theme ‘Foundations for the Future: Acting now to Shape Tomorrow’.
Community foundations through and beyond the Covid-19 crisis
Summary and visual harvesting of the presentations and discussion on the challenges and lessons from the establishment and implementation of Covid-19 crisis response and recovery funds – reflects on actions through a 4Cs lens, and sets out proposed next steps
An investment of time and money pays off in Romania
George Gurescu from ARC (Romania) recounts the success of the Community Foundations Development Program, which led to the creation of two new community foundations in Buzău and Vâlcea—raising the national total to 18. Over 18 months, ARC provided intensive mentorship, peer exchange, and financial support, combining trust-based relationships with tailored capacity-building. Local initiative groups, supported by Mott and the Romanian-American Foundation, mobilised residents and diaspora donors to fundraise and form new foundations—strengthening Romania’s community philanthropy movement and expanding its national reach.
The unstoppable Italian Community Foundations Movement
This article celebrates the expansion of the Italian community foundation movement, highlighting four newly established organisations in Milan, Agrigento & Trapani, Valsesia, and Parma. Supported by Assifero, these foundations exemplify the diversity and vitality of community philanthropy in Italy—from youth-led social enterprises in Sicily to Alpine collaborations in Piedmont. Each emerged from deep local engagement, blending civic initiative, donor partnerships, and institutional support from foundations like Cariplo. Together, they demonstrate how Italian community foundations are fostering inclusion, participation, and sustainable local development across the country.
