Transnational Giving Europe enters ‘new chapter’ and looks to growth as part of Philea

Brussels-based nonprofit Philea has taken over the coordination of Transnational Giving Europe (TGE), the network which has enabled more than €200m in donations across European borders.

A Philea spokesperson also said that the move supported Philea’s ambitions to build a Single Market for Philanthropy. Philea says that the various legal, administrative and fiscal barriers which European foundations face when acting across borders cost around €100m.

TGE was previously overseen by Belgium’s King Baudouin Foundation (KBF). According to TGE’s website, it was set up in 1995 after a Belgian donor approached KBF wanting to make a donation to Paris’ Musée du Louvre, and discovered that they would not receive the same tax benefits as they would when giving to a local organization.

The transfer follows a year of discussion and co-ordination between the organisations. Philea’s spokesperson said that while the transfer would have no impact on donors, charities or day-to-day TGE activities, the organization would begin looking at new opportunities to grow the network.

Delphine Moralis, CEO at Philea, says:

“The challenges we face require philanthropy to be at its very best, including being able to make the optimal use of its finite resources. This is an exciting – but critically important – opportunity to take on the responsibility for writing TGE’s next chapter, as it is currently the only practical and secure solution for tax-effective philanthropy across the continent.” 

Brieuc Van Damme, CEO of the King Baudouin Foundation, comments:

“We are proud to have been one of the founding fathers of TGE and to see it grow into a vital European infrastructure for generosity. Our cross-border philanthropy is becoming more effective, and the impact of our role in empowering international solidarity will only grow. We look forward to supporting TGE in its new home.”

There are currently 19 countries in the TGE network: Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Estonia, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Switzerland, the UK.

EFA became Philea’s latest member in spring 2025.

Picture: British Library via Unsplash