Lessons from an Exchange: Via Foundation and Trag Foundation
This report captures lessons from a peer exchange between Via Foundation in Czechia and Trag Foundation in Serbia. It highlights practical approaches to developing new community foundations, supporting advocacy, designing multi-stage grantmaking processes and strengthening grantees through training, mentoring and capacity building. Personal reflections also show how international peer learning can inspire organisations to adapt effective practices, improve impact measurement and build stronger networks among supported initiatives.
Community foundation building: Identifying key capacities for the Spanish context
This article examines how the community foundation model can be adapted to Spain and identifies six capacities needed for its development. These include community leadership, listening and engagement, growing local philanthropy, strengthening local organisations, preparing for disaster response and adapting to territorial context. Drawing on literature, expert interviews and analysis of existing Spanish foundations, it also proposes practical tools and recommendations for organisations supporting new and emerging community foundations.
Be Prepared, Be Brave, Begin
Inspired by the Community Foundations of Canada’s All In 2021 conference, this reflection considers how the discussions resonate with the European community foundation movement. It explores questions of power, equity, community leadership and systems change, while highlighting the importance of remaining closely connected to local communities. The article also reflects on the role of community foundation support organisations in fostering learning, challenging established practice and helping the field respond to emerging social challenges.
Five Lessons from a Peer Learning Journey on Digital Transformation
This reflection brings together key lessons from ECFI’s Collective Action Learning process, which supported community foundations in addressing real-life digital transformation challenges through peer exchange. Based on the experiences of organisations from across Europe, it highlights the value of online collaboration, structured facilitation, small-group learning and trusted peer relationships. The publication also considers how collaborative learning can strengthen organisational development and support community foundations in navigating change together.
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.
Knowledge Capsule 1 – The Value of Community Foundations
This Knowledge Capsule introduces an interactive digital learning resource designed to explain the unique value and strategic role of community foundations. Drawing on experience from Romania and international peer learning, it explores how community foundations respond to local challenges, strengthen ecosystems of support and develop sustainable approaches to grantmaking and fund development. The publication also reflects on designing engaging digital learning experiences that combine self-paced exploration with peer exchange and discussion.
