April 2007
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The regulations governing the foundation sector differ among the various European countries, due to the many cultures, traditions and different political environments. The definition and use of the term “foundation” itself is different from one country to the other.
Public benefit foundations however share common features. The EFC defines them as follows: Are separately constituted non-profit bodies with their own governing board and with their own reliable source of income whether or not exclusively from an endowment. They have been irrevocably attributed goods, rights and resources for the performance of work and support for public benefit purposes, either by supporting associations, institutions or individuals or by operating their own programmes. Foundations have no members. Public benefit foundations may be established for a limited period, but assets given over for public benefit purposes for such foundations may not revert to private ownership. The largest part of public benefit foundations is made up of independent foundations which have autonomous power of decision. Foundations are recognized as legal persons who reach their public benefit objective in accordance with the principle of corporate governance: transparency, openness and responsibility. This means that foundations need to pay attention to their governance and organisational structures as well as to their human resources.
The links below provide available data on "who runs foundations", outlining governance and management structures of public benefit foundations in some European countries, as well as selected documentary references:
> go to Who runs foundations? - A selected bibliography