We are there: community foundations in emergency response and recovery
This practice-oriented publication explores how community foundations in Poland, Romania and Spain responded to severe floods in 2024. Through case studies and cross-cutting reflections, it examines how trust, proximity and long-term relationships shaped emergency response and recovery, highlighting the role of community foundations as locally rooted actors that coordinate support, sustain civic infrastructure and navigate difficult choices under pressure.
The regeneration of our communities through community foundations and the SDGs
This publication positions community foundations as key actors in regenerating communities by aligning local action with the SDGs. Using the Raimat Lleida Community Foundation as an example, it shows how regeneration can be operationalised through interconnected focus areas such as social action, culture, innovation, and environmental sustainability. By mobilising local actors, fostering leadership, and building cross-sector partnerships, community foundations create collaborative systems that strengthen resilience, support local economies, and enable long-term, place-based transformation.
Together we are stronger: The story behind the establishment of the Fano Community Foundation (Italy)
This case traces the establishment of the Fano Community Foundation in Italy, highlighting a three-year participatory process that brought together local institutions, organisations and citizens. It shows how building a shared understanding of community foundations and fostering collaboration across sectors created a strong foundation—later enabling a rapid and locally rooted response to the COVID-19 crisis.
COVID-19 Community Foundations in Action: Ukraine – A reliable and critical partner
This case from Ukraine shows how a community foundation took on a central coordinating role during the COVID-19 crisis. By establishing an emergency fund, mobilising resources and facilitating communication between hospitals, volunteers and donors, it became a key hub for both practical support and information flow within the community.
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.
SDGs and Vital Signs – a powerful combination to shape a leadership role (North Milan Greater Area Foundation)
The North Milan Greater Area Foundation (NMGAF) has become a pioneer in Italy by linking the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) with the Vital Signs approach. Working with the University of Milan-Bicocca, it gathered community data, facilitated focus groups, and created a shared agenda for action. By translating global goals into local indicators, NMGAF empowered NGOs and municipalities to align their work with the SDGs—turning abstract principles into practical community action. The foundation is now recognised as a trusted local leader and hub for knowledge and collaboration.
How are the SDGs relevant to community foundations?
The paper How are the SDGs relevant to community foundations? highlights how community foundations connect local action with global goals. Their place-based knowledge, trust-building capacity, and cross-sector partnerships make them powerful agents for sustainable development. By aligning their strategies with the SDGs, community foundations can better demonstrate impact, attract partners, and strengthen legitimacy. Embracing the SDGs not only frames existing work but inspires new collaborations and innovations that link community well-being with global responsibility.
