The Community Foundations in Latvia

1
The Community Foundations in Latvia

• Inese Danga
• CFM Latvia
• Plosti, August 20, 2007

2
Six community foundations

• The Talsi Regional Community Foundation (2003,
  February ) 50 000 inhabitants
• The Lielvarde Community Development Foundation
  (2004, February) 7 500 inhabitants
• The Aluksne Regional Community Foundation (2005,
  April) 25 500 inhabitants
• The Valmiera Regional Community Foundation (2005,
  July) 60 000 inhabitants
• The Madona Regional Community Foundation (2006,
  March)45 000 inhabitants
• The Liepaja Regional Community Foundation (2007,
  July) 100 000 inhabitants

3
Special features of Latvian CFs

• Covers towns and regions (e.g.Talsi town and
  region)
• People who pay annual fee have right to
  participate in supervisory boards or councils
• Supervisory boards or councils have a decision
  making function - vote about their donations and
  other unrestricted funds

4
Special features of Latvian CFs (2)

• Minimal annual fees of 28 140 EUR - to ensure
  annual funding
• Other decision making bodies boards, special
  grant making committees/experts
• Takes from for administration (5 10) and
  endowment building (25)

5
The Talsi Region Community Foundation

• February, 2003

6
Basic facts

• The first CF in Latvia
• Established by 45 individuals and 4 NGOs
• Covers region of 50 000 inhabitants
• From each donation 10 -administration 25 -
  endowment 65 - grant competition

7
Basic facts

• The minimal fee to became a participant of the
  council EUR 28
• The current endowment EUR 15 500

8
Sources for endowment

• Campaign 100 Friends of Talsi Region minimal
  donation 28 EUR, donor receives a honourable
  status of friend
• The first friend The President of Latvia Vaira
  Vike Freiberga
• Donations via internet charity site www.ziedot.lv
• Other income 25 from all donations

9
Grants awarded

• 2003 - 3 800 EUR for 7 projects (1 call)
• 2004 12 300 EUR for 30 projects (5 calls)
• 2005 6 000 EUR for 9 projects (2 calls)
• 2006 20 000 EUR for 27 projects (2 calls)
• Average grant - 535,87 EUR

10
Lielvarde CF (February, 2004)

• The second CF in Latvia
• Established by 14 businesses and 1 individual
• Works in a small town 7 ,500 inhabitants
• Endowment 2 142 EUR
• 1 grant competition per year
• Minimal fee to became a participants of the
  council 140 EUR per year( 50 for unrestricted
  funds 50 for endowment ), in 2007 29
  participants

11
Aluksne CF (April, 2005)

• 21 founders (annual fee 28 EUR)
• Minimal fee to became a member of the council 28
  EUR
• In 2006 awarded 22 grants for total amount of 17
  500 EUR

12
Valmiera CF (July, 2005)

• 13 founders
• Minimal fee to became a member of the council 140
  EUR
• In 2006 awarded 38 grants for total amount of 28
  000 EUR

13
Keys for the success

• Regular grant competitions
• Transparency
• Good image at the local and national level
• Responsible and enthusiastic board
• Activity and support from council
• Good cooperation with donors and close ties with
  the community

14
Keys for the success

• Active boards and councils (e.g. Talsi CF board
  spent about 30 hours in board meetings in 2004)
• Consultants from the Charities Aid
  Foundation-Russia and coaching by national
  support organization (NGO Centre (Riga)/BAPP)
• Continuous learning and knowledge building
  (networking)
• Thanks to the support of Baltic American
  Partnership programme administrative support and
  development has been possible.

15
Challenges

• To achieve a significant amount of endowment
• To develop donor advised funds
• To develop other types of donor services
• To cover administrative expenses from local
  sources
• To follow the mission

16

• Inese Danga
• Executive Director
• Comunity Foundation Mowement in Latvia

Foundation Ziedot Bruninieku street 27 38,
Riga LV 1001, Latvia Ph. 371
27289339 info_at_kopienufondi.lv www.kopienufondi.lv
(will be available soon)