Donors and Foundations Networks in Europe (Dafne) and the European Foundation Centre (EFC) have announced plans to merge to form Philea – Philanthropy Europe Association.

Philea will leverage the decades of knowledge and experience of both organizations to support a diverse and inclusive ecosystem of more than ten thousand philanthropic organizations and networks across nearly three dozen countries in Europe. Angel Font, corporate director of research and health at “la Caixa” Foundation and current EFC board chair, will serve as board president of the new entity, while Carola Carazzone, secretary general of Assifero and current board chair of Dafne, will serve as board vice president. Philea will remain at Philanthropy House in Brussels, where Dafne and EFC are currently housed, along with several other philanthropy networks and organizations.

EFC was established in 1989, when seven founding members came together with a shared vision of a stronger, more collaborative, and better informed network of philanthropic actors from Europe and beyond. Dafne was launched in 1997 following a series of meetings initiated by EFC on the role and work of national associations and donors’ forums. In 2015, Dafne became the platform for national associations of donors and foundations in Europe to share knowledge and encourage collaboration.

“Philanthropy in Europe plays a unique, risk-taking role in sparking innovation and acting as a catalyst for good,” stated Delphine Moralis, current chief executive of EFC and incoming CEO of Philea. “Together we are stronger, and will strive to inspire, connect, and represent the European philanthropy sector and enhance its role as a credible and trustworthy partner, today and tomorrow.”

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