Giving Europe, a unique network promoting cross-border philanthropy across Europe

The Giving Europe network (formerly Transnational Giving Europe), dedicated to European cross-border charitable giving, is undergoing a rebrand. And it’s not just the name that’s changing. The network is adapting to the increasing generosity of European donors and is now equipped with new tools to raise the profile of its beneficiary organisations and simplify the process for donors in the 19 partner countries.

For almost 30 years, the Giving Europe network has been facilitating and promoting cross-border giving by providing an appropriate administrative and tax framework. This unique scheme enables donors (individuals and companies) in 19 European countries to support non-profit organisations recognised as being in the public interest, while benefiting from the tax advantages in force in their country of residence. In each of the countries in the network, a lead foundation manages the flow of donations to and from abroad in Europe.

The beginnings of the network 

In 1998, four foundations decided to join forces to enable donations to be transferred securely from one European country to another: the Fondation de France, the King Baudouin Foundation (Belgium), the Juliana Welzijn Fonds (Netherlands) and the Charities Aid Foundation (United Kingdom).  

These four pioneering foundations are now the lead foundations for the Giving Europe network in their respective countries. “The Fondation de France is the exclusive gateway for donations to and from France within Giving Europe. It is also responsible for issuing tax receipts and providing donors and beneficiary organisations in France with all the information they need, particularly regarding the specific regulations in each country within the network,” explains Damien Bigot, head of international philanthropy at the Fondation de France. 

Giving Europe offers flexible and reliable framework for donors and non-profit organisations. The areas of action covered are broad, reaching many good causes: social cohesion, childhood and education, health, culture and heritage preservation, environment, and more.

How does the Giving Europe network work? 

Giving Europe is based on the principle of reciprocity, which involves a parallel appraisal by the organisation wishing to fundraise. Firstly, the Fondation de France must ensure that each organisation wishing to join meets the French general interest criteria. Once this review has been completed, the lead foundation that has been asked to open a fundraising channel must ensure that the French organisation complies with the sponsorship rules in force in its country. The French organisation will then be able to raise funds in the selected European country. having been recognised as an equivalent non-profit organisation in the territory.  

In practice, a donor living in Italy who wishes to make a donation to the Opéra de Paris can contact the lead foundation in their country directly: the Fondo Filantropico Italiano. This foundation receives the donation, issues a tax receipt in accordance with Italian legislation and then transfers the funds to the beneficiary organisation, the Opéra de Paris. Similarly, a French donor can donate to a European non-profit organisation, such as the Staatsoper Unter den Linden (Berlin State Opera). This process is the same in all 19 countries in the network and contributes to European vitality.

A new donation website

To support its transformation, Giving Europe has updated its tools. Its new identity is accompanied by the launch of a new website, designed as a public portal for donors. The main change is the integration of an interactive catalogue of member organisations, classified by theme and by country. In just a few clicks, donors can select their country of tax residence, find the organisation they wish to support and instantly access all the practical details for making their donation. The site also centralises valuable legal and tax resources on European legislation for each country. 

Total financial transparency 

To encourage the development of cross-border giving, access to the scheme is free for beneficiary organisations. Giving Europe’s operations are financed by a fee ranging from 1% to 5% of the donation amount, divided equally between the two partner foundations and the overall development of the network.