NEF is a joint-initiative of a small number of foundations. They are not a membership-based organisation, but all NEF pooled funds/projects are open to other foundations. Every year they work with more than 60 foundations from over 20 countries and various strategic partners.

Their main focus is on enabling better and more strategic collaboration between foundations.

They define their mission as follows: ‘European solidarity through philanthropy for social inclusion, international development and democracy’.

NEF’s main body is the General Assembly that approves the pooled funds and projects that NEF will coordinate. It is also responsible for overseeing this portfolio, taking constitutional decisions for the association, approving the accounts and electing the Board of Directors.

The smooth day-to-day running of the organisation is entrusted to the NEF Secretariat team under the supervision of the Board of Directors.  At a project level, strategic decisions are taken by each Steering Committee which represents the foundations working on a pooled fund or project. The Secretariat is based in Brussels and NEF also has an office in Belgrade.

The European Foundation Centre (EFC) and NEF work closely together. While EFC acts as a meeting place for European funders, NEF works as a catalyst to initiate and develop pooled funds.