Building a Community Foundation is a marathon, not a sprint
In this interview, Ciprian Ciocan, Executive Director of the Sibiu Community Foundation, describes the foundation’s journey from a grassroots initiative to one of Romania’s most innovative civic organisations. Starting with a volunteer-led marathon, Sibiu CF built sustainable fundraising models and programmes such as Științescu (STEAM education) and CitySense (smart city collaboration). Beyond funding, it aims to change local culture—promoting accountability, creativity, and collaboration. For Ciocan, building a community foundation “is a marathon, not a sprint,” requiring long-term vision and local ownership.
