Philanthropy in Europe

Philanthropy in Europe is characterized by steady and accelerated growth over the last two decades. This is supported by the development of foundations in most European Union (EU) countries and beyond but seems to hold for individual giving as well, even though giving data reveal uncertainties due to different and partly inconsistent data sources. It is typical for European organized philanthropy (foundations) that a large variety of different forms, including those for private benefit purposes or for running corporate enterprises, have emerged. The relationship between foundations and the public sector is based on seven different roles, which foundations may serve, which lead to distinct models of a cooperative, competitive, or peripheral relationship between foundations and the state. However, recent political developments in Central and Eastern Europe led to a shrinking space for civil society in general and philanthropy in particular