The Donors and Foundations Networks in Europe (DAFNE) has become an international non-profit association or AISBL in Belgium. The move will make DAFNE an independent legal entity after over a decade operating as a project of the Network of European Foundations, a donor advised fund.

Originally founded in 2006 with the goal of promoting the exchange of experience and knowledge between national associations and donor forums in Europe, DAFNE has recently established a full-time presence at the European Foundation Centre’s headquarters at Philanthropy House in Brussels, a focal point for institutional philanthropy in Europe. Dafne’s new status will create a more direct accountability for its advocacy work in the European capital.

According to DAFNE’s executive director, Max von Abendroth, the move will also help to further professionalise the network. ‘It will enable DAFNE to be more effective in meeting the needs of national associations and their members – in particular in its role as a leading voice for the foundation sector across Europe,’ he commented.

In May, DAFNE co-hosted a Philanthropy Scrum to lobby European officials to create a single market for European philanthropy. The event brought together foundation leaders and European Union officials and policy-makers on the eve of the European Foundation Centre’s Annual General Assembly

DAFNE currently comprises 26 member associations, whose collective membership numbers over 10,000 foundations.