Publications

The EFC produces a range of publications useful to grantmakers and anyone interested in the foundation sector in Europe and the world.

EFC Membership Brochure 2011

Foundations in Europe Together - Be Part of the Bigger Picture gives a visual overview of what the EFC is, what it does and why a foundation of corporate funder should apply for membership. It also gives a synopsis of the myriad areas EFC members are active in and where they work around the globe.

20th anniversary book

Laying the foundations: 20 years of the EFC: The book recounts the full, previously undocumented history of the EFC, starting from the centre's humble beginnings when the original 7 founding members came together on 9 November 1989, up until the present.

EFFECT magazine

EFFECT magazine: The EFC's flagship publication about and for European foundations. The magazine, published two times per year, covers foundations’ impact and role in Europe and the world; trends in the sector; the political, legal and fiscal environments in which foundations work; and how they get that work done, both individually and through collaboration.

De facto

De Facto : The monthly e-newsletter reporting on the latest activities of the EFC's programme committees and secretariat (for EFC members and partners only)

EU Affairs

It's time for a European Statute 2011. This document spells out why a European Foundation Statute (EFS) is so urgently needed. It is intended as an appeal to all decision-makers in the institutions and Member States to take up the cause of the EFS to deliver a long overdue, pan-European instrument for the public good of Europe’s citizens.
EU Affairs Monthly Snapshot: Stay up-to-date on the latest EU developments, including news, funding opportunities and more.

Legal and fiscal

For hard copies of these publications, please contact the EFC Legal Department

Professional Development

European Learning Lab 2010 : Learning from 'Within'. The publication reports about The Lab, the idea, how it happened, the content and the lessons learned.
European Learning Lab, 2010. Report of the first year of the European Learning Lab, a dynamic new training series launched by Fondazione Cariplo and the EFC. The Lab brings together some 20 foundation professionals 3 times over a 1-year period.

Disability Interest Group

Study on Challenges and Good Practices in the Implementation of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities - Executive Summary, 2011. This study was supported by the European Community Programme for Employment and Social Solidarity PROGRESS (2007-2013).
Apply a disability lens to your foundation's work , 2010. Established in 2009, the European Consortium of Foundations on Human Rights and Disability brings together funders and other stakeholders committed to promoting implementation of this landmark UN Convention.

Diversity, Migration and Integration Interest Group

Championing Diversity, 2009. The publication consist of five case studies illustrating that with creativity and good will much can be accomplished to develop positive change while continuing to honour and respect the wishes or mandates of initial donors.

European Environmental Funders Group

European Environmental Funding by European Foundations, 2011. The report features a detailed analysis of the environmental grants of 27 European public-benefit foundations, and refers to the total environmental expenditure of a further 13 foundations.

Data on foundations

Understanding European Research Foundations: Findings from the FOREMAP project, 2009. A report, produced by the EFC, which has developmed a mapping methodology and tools to gather qualitative and quantitative information on the contribution of foundations to research. Tested in four EU Countries: Germany, Portugal, Slovakia and Sweden.
Foundations in the EU - facts and figures, 2008. A report on the work of the EFC Research Task Force, which compiles both qualitative and quantitative data on foundations’ impact and practices across the European Union.
Advancing Equality: What can foundations do? A selected overview of equal opportunities actions, 2007. A report produced by the EFC, as a contribution to the 2007 European Year of Equal Opportunities for All. Outlines 110 case examples of independent funders’ involvement and practices in the fields of equal opportunities and non-discrimination.
For more information, go to the Equal Opportunities page
Foundations' Support of European Citizenship - A Snapshot (pdf 540kb), 2006
Survey results of EFC members' work in the area of European Citizenship
For more information, go to the European Citizenship page
Foundation Facts & Figures Across the EU - Associating Private Wealth for Public Benefit (pdf 263kb), 2005
Provides a summary of key data from the EFC Research Task Force survey conducted in 2003/04 on the dimensions of the foundation sector in the European Union.

Policy and guidelines publications

Booklets providing grantmaking guidelines by topic (hard copy and pdf formats)

It's time for a European Statute (222 kb) May 2011. This document spells out why a European Foundation Statute (EFS) is so urgently needed. It is intended as an appeal to all decision-makers in the institutions and Member States to take up the cause of the EFS to deliver a long overdue, pan-European instrument for the public good of Europe’s citizens.
Case for A European Foundation Statute (EFS) (pdf 37kb), April 2010. The EFC Advocacy Task Force has released this information note aimed at decision-makers, which sets out the key arguments for the European Foundation Statute. The document recalls the key role and growing importance of public benefit foundations, the reasons why a European Statute is needed, and the type of Statute that foundations want. The note also summarises the key finding s of the feasibility study released by the European Commission in February 2009.
Speaking Note on the European Foundation Statute (pdf 80kb), 2008, released by the EFC Advocacy Task Force, sets out the key arguments for the Statute. The document recalls the key characteristics of public benefit foundation and the growth of the sector. It also points out the barriers foundations face in their cross-border work and the benefits that the adoption of a European Foundation Statute would have both for foundations and EU citizens and policies.
EFC Principles of Good Practice (pdf 689kb), 2007, encompass a set of seven Principles based on an identified set of core values that every foundation in Europe should aspire to embrace. They are designed to apply across a variety of cultures and jurisdictions and to an even larger variety of foundations. They are intended to be of application both within the European Union and in the context of the wider Europe.
Implementing the EFC Principles: Illustrative Practice Options for Foundations (pdf 103kb), 2007, These recognise the diversity of legal requirements and operating practices across Europe. They aim to enable foundations to adopt and adapt those that will assist them in facilitating their implementation of the Principles within the context of their own environments and organisational circumstances.
Principles of Accountability for International Philanthropy, 2007, a joint initiative of the European Foundation Centre (EFC) and the US Council on Foundations (COF), aim to guide and support funders in making better decisions in pursuing their international missions and objectives, and to provide a framework that will encourage and assist more foundations to get involved internationally.
European Perspectives on Global Health: A Policy Glossary, 2006, sets out a comprehensive framework for a possible European agenda and strategy on global health, recognising Europe’s values, unique characteristics and contribution to date in promoting and supporting global health issues; and suggesting an approach and areas for Europe to add value and have significant impact in advancing global health.
Free
Funding Vocational Training and Employment for People with Disabilities, Guidelines for Good Grantmaking Practice, 2003
Free
Disaster Grantmaking: A Practical Guide for Foundations and Corporations, 2007

For a hard copy, contact the EFC Resource Centre

EFC Annual Report and Financial Statement