With a number of events across Europe, this year’s European Day of Foundations and Donors is focusing on the theme ‘Stepping into tomorrow’ by shining a light on philanthropy’s contribution to society and highlighting what it needs to ensure it is fit for purpose in helping solve long-term global challenges.

Established in 2013, the annual European Day of Foundations and Donors showcases the role of the European philanthropy sector, aims to raise public awareness about philanthropy, and encourage more giving and civic action. This year’s campaign is being led by Dafne in collaboration with EFC – two organisations that are planning to converge into one in the near future.

Events are being hosted in Austria, Belgium, Croatia, France, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Liechtenstein, Russia, Serbia, and Switzerland, and will look at questions like: What will the future look like for the next generations? Will we be able to live in harmony with the planet? Will the generations to come have access to clean water and air? Will we be able to mobilise resources to overcome rising inequalities?

Follow the European Day of Foundations and Donors activities with the hashtag #October1Europe.

Overview of legal and fiscal regulations of foundations in Europe finds many barriers remain

Also from Dafne and the EFC today, their Philanthropy Advocacy initiative has released the most comprehensive overview today date of the legal and fiscal regulations of foundations and philanthropy in Europe.

The 2021 ‘Comparative Highlights of Foundation Laws’ provides a broad, comparative overview of the diverse legal and fiscal environments of foundations – across 40 countries – as well as identifies relevant trends and developments.

The study shows that despite trends towards more integration, old and new barriers to cross-border philanthropic action exist and a European single market for philanthropy and the public good is not yet a reality.

‘More and more foundations work across national borders, and in particular their potential in the many hundreds of EU cross-border regions seems immense. In this context, there is an urgent need for a common European framework, especially in terms of cross-border tax treatment and programme activities’, wrote Helmut Anheier, Senior Professor of Sociology at Hertie School and author of numerous books on philanthropy, in the Foreword of the publication.

The report can be accessed here.