Community Foundations in Europe 2022: Summary of the Field Research
This summary presents key findings from ECFI’s 2022 research into the community foundation field in Europe. It identifies 851 community foundations in 22 countries and 32 infrastructure organisations supporting their development. The publication highlights continued growth in emerging and established fields, stronger recognition following the COVID-19 pandemic, greater national and international collaboration, and increasing attention to community leadership, climate action, the Sustainable Development Goals, local needs mapping and digital transition.
ECFI Activities and Learnings 2021: A Look Ahead to 2022
This presentation reviews ECFI’s activities, reach and key learnings from 2021 while outlining priorities for 2022. It covers peer learning, digital transformation, thematic meetings, emerging community foundation fields, SDG engagement, knowledge sharing and online study visits. The presentation also reflects on challenges including uneven participation, limited resources and field research capacity, and sets out plans for stronger research, strategic discussion, movement building and collaboration across Europe.
How to use social media to engage with new and prospective donors
This case study outlines how Northamptonshire Community Foundation developed a digital transformation strategy to strengthen donor engagement during the COVID-19 pandemic. It describes how social media, online community conversations and storytelling became central to maintaining relationships with existing supporters while reaching younger and more diverse audiences. The publication shares practical reflections on embedding digital communication into long-term fundraising and stakeholder engagement.
Interactive map showing community projects supported by the foundation
This case study presents the Nitra Community Foundation’s plans to develop an interactive online map showcasing the community projects it has supported. Designed to improve transparency and stakeholder engagement, the map enables users to explore projects by location, theme, year and donor while connecting with social media updates. The publication illustrates how digital tools can help community foundations communicate their impact, strengthen relationships with donors and support long-term sustainability.
Action Learning: Adapting Community Fundraising Events for the Digital World
This action learning case study explores how Oradea Community Foundation successfully transformed its flagship fundraising events and community programmes into online experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic. It shares practical lessons on digital engagement, virtual event delivery and maintaining strong relationships with donors, volunteers and the wider community.
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.
Digital Transformation – reports from the field
This summary report reflects on the digital transformation journeys of fourteen community foundations across Europe during the COVID-19 pandemic. It identifies three main types of change: accelerated digital development, enforced practices that may remain useful, and continuous adaptation of programmes and engagement. The report also introduces practical examples covering donor relations, fundraising, grantmaking, stakeholder consultation, remote teamwork and community engagement, encouraging organisations to assess which digital practices should be retained and developed further.
Online donor engagement strategy and implementation
This case study explores how the Community Foundation for Tyne & Wear and Northumberland strengthened donor engagement through a structured digital strategy during the COVID-19 pandemic. It describes the use of donor surveys, online events, webinars and digital storytelling to better understand donor interests and maintain meaningful relationships. The publication offers practical insights into building long-term digital engagement that complements face-to-face philanthropy and broadens opportunities to connect with new and existing donors.
Adapting in-person programs to online delivery
This case study documents how the Healthy City Community Foundation Banská Bystrica adapted its programmes and fundraising activities during the COVID-19 pandemic. It describes the shift to online grantmaking, virtual events and digital fundraising, while reflecting on the opportunities and limitations of remote engagement. The publication also highlights the challenges of reaching digitally excluded communities and considers the evolving role of community foundations in promoting inclusion and strengthening local partnerships.
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.
