Publishing information:
Norine MacDonald and Luc Tayart de Borms (eds)
London: Alliance Publishing Trust, 2008. 304pp. Paperback. ISBN 978-0-9558804-0-7. To order contact Alliance magazine at
magazine">publishing@alliancemagazine.org or the European Foundation Centre at efc@efc.be.
This collection of essays about the diverse role played by European foundations is an attempt to plug the gap in a literature that is largely dominated by information about American foundations. It includes profiles of thirteen foundations, selected as examples of ‘the rich variety and diversity’ found in the European foundation sector, including the UK’s Wellcome Trust and Impetus Trust. The editors argue that the social, political and economic fabric of European countries means that foundations in this continent are ‘a different animal’ to the Anglo-Saxon style of philanthropy found in the US. The book ends with a plea by the European Foundation Centre’s Gerry Salole for a ‘long overdue’ European foundation statute to enable the sector to enjoy the same cross-border freedoms as other organisations based within the European Union. The preceding essays and profiles ought to strengthen Salole’s case that such a statute is a ‘vital issue’ which will enable the sector to have even greater impact.
