COVID-19: Community Foundations in Action Netherlands – Local is Key
This case highlights how a newly established community foundation in the Netherlands responded rapidly to COVID-19 by supporting local initiatives addressing loneliness and income loss. Through flexible, non-bureaucratic funding and strong community connections, Twentse Noabers enabled grassroots responses—from food distribution and digital tools for elderly care to fostering social contact—while also acting as a connector and advocate for local initiatives.
Places of power: how community foundations in Russia help in the new environment
This piece illustrates how community foundations across Russia adapted quickly to the COVID-19 crisis by mobilising local partnerships, coordinating support, and responding flexibly to emerging needs. Their actions ranged from food distribution and volunteer mobilisation to supporting NGOs, engaging businesses, and advocating for the non-profit sector—demonstrating strong local embeddedness and coordination roles under pressure.
Implementation of emergency response and recovery funds / programmes
This summary captures how community foundation support organisations across Europe responded to the COVID-19 crisis by rapidly establishing emergency and recovery funds. It highlights key lessons around coordination, flexibility, and long-term sustainability, using a 4Cs lens to structure actions related to capacity, capability, connections, and credibility.
Assifero empowers community foundations in Italy
This blog highlights how Assifero, as a national support organisation, strengthened and coordinated the response of community foundations across Italy during the COVID-19 crisis. It showcases a wide range of local actions—from emergency fundraising and service delivery to innovative financial tools and cross-sector partnerships—while emphasising the role of support infrastructure in enabling rapid, coordinated and systemic responses.
Roots and Wings takes a ‘Leap into the Future’ in Hungary
This publication presents concrete examples of how community foundations in Hungary responded to the COVID-19 crisis through rapid, locally embedded action. From supporting healthcare workers and vulnerable residents to sustaining local economies and strengthening civic initiatives, the cases illustrate the multifaceted role of community foundations as coordinators, funders and connectors. The text also highlights how crisis response can reinforce long-term community resilience and solidarity.
