Since 2006 Banque de Luxembourg systematically and consequently develops philanthropy in Luxembourg and abroad. This dedication is at the core of its CRS (Corporate Responsibility and Sustainability) commitments.

Recognizing the need for nourishing and developing philanthropy in Europe, in particular the conditions it needs, Banque de Luxembourg and Foundation For Poland – two institutions with significant experience in providing philanthropy services – entered into a partnership in order to undertake the first ever study of the condition and prospects for development of philanthropy in Poland.

The objectives of the study were (1) to find out the motivations for and the scale and type of philanthropic engagement among the wealthiest Poles and (2) to identify the environment and conditions for individual philanthropy to grow in Poland.

To summarize here are the major questions addressed in the study:

• What motivates the wealthiest Poles to give?
• How do they engage?
• What changes would they like to see?

The results of the study have been presented at a well-attended press conference in Warsaw on October 19th, 2011.

• To download the summary of the study, click here
• To download the entire study, click here
• To know more about Foundation For Poland, click here (in Polish)
• To know more about the Polish philanthropy landscape, click here

Encouraged by the favourable response from participants in the first workshop held in June 2010, in Luxembourg, Banque de Luxembourg decided to organise a similar forum for discussion for Luxembourg foundations.

The second workshop, which brought together around twenty foundations directors, was held on 6 April at the Bank’s head office with talks by:

• Bernard Zimmer, founding member of Perspective 45 a.s.b.l.
  Presentation of the activities of the association and its European projects.      
  - Find out more about Perspective 45 a.s.b.l.
  


• Tonika Hirdman, General Director of Fondation de Luxembourg             
  "First experiences and emerging trends"
  The Fondation de Luxembourg was launched in the beginning of 2009 by the Luxembourg government as an independent public utility foundation with the mission to facilitate long-term philanthropic engagement. Two years after its launch, several new philanthropic foundations are being managed under its aegis.
  Topics covered: expectations of the donors behind these foundations, the collaboration with the non-profit sector, complementary work done compared to the non-profit sector, experiences ...
  - Find out more about Fondation de Luxembourg
  

Find out more (in French) about:

• The 6 commitments, the approved members intend to meet as defined in the Common Code of Conduct for Organisations Appealing to Public Generosity

• The 16 Luxembourg-based organisations behind the creation of the Don en Confiance Luxembourg association

• The press release from the first press conference held by the new association

For more information, visit www.donenconfiance.lu (website currently only available in French)

The convergence of philanthropy (not-for-profit) and social investment with a double bottom line (for profit with a non-profit soul) was the theme of the day’s talks given notably by Jacqueline Novogratz (Acumen Fund), Percy Barnevik (Hand in Hand) and Sir Ronald Cohen (Bridges Venture). The event provided Luxembourg with the opportunity to position itself as the future hub of the impact financing industry.

An international survey of the impact financing market conducted by AlphaMundi and commissioned by the European Impact Financing Luxembourg initiative has just been published. Around 60 promoters and investors, including the Rockefeller Foundation, Blue Orchard and SEAF participated in the survey, whose aim was to shed light on the challenges facing impact financing, and how the financial world, and specifically the Luxembourg financial centre, could respond to these challenges.