Transatlantic Community Foundations Network

About this grant

Bertelsmann Stiftung is a leading European foundation with a specific program area dedicated to philanthropy and foundations. In 1999, it created the Transatlantic Community Foundation Network in response to the growing interest in community foundations in Western and Central/Eastern Europe. The goals of the network are to support the exchange of experience and expertise among European and North American community foundations; identify best practices; and foster the development of community philanthropy in countries where the concept is unknown or still new.Multiyear funding will enable the network to refine and disseminate information products; offer peer exchanges; organize meetings that focus on strategic issues relevant to community foundations; and convene annual plenary meetings to share and discuss experiences and new information.During the past two years, the network increased membership to include community foundations and support organizations from 14 countries, equally balanced between Europe and North America; expanded the content of annual plenary meetings; strengthened and encouraged collaboration between working groups; and fostered greater cooperation with partner organizations and programs such as the Worldwide Initiative for Grantmaker Support.