Philanthropy
Laws regulating philanthropy, fundraising, grantmaking, and receipt of funding vary greatly around the world. There is often a lack of clear, concise information to help organizations understand a country’s legal environment for giving. This knowledge is critical, as some countries impose significant and complex barriers to giving and receiving funding.
ICNL seeks to fill the knowledge gap and support a legal enabling environment for philanthropy worldwide.
Key Resources
Virtual Currency Donations
This report, assembled by the Blockchain Trust Accelerator at New America with the support of the International Center for Not-for-Profit Law, assesses opportunities and obstacles in charitable donations of virtual currencies. It aims to bring civil society organizations, would-be virtual currency donors, and policymakers up to speed on emerging trends.
Read the report
Fundraising Principles
This report and briefer provides a global overview of current trends in fundraising regulation and self-regulation. It also offers principles and recommendations addressing seven key areas based on international and regional standards and country practices. The report aims to support advocacy efforts to create an enabling environment for fundraising around the globe.
Learn more (via ECNL)
Global Grantmaking Country Notes
In partnership with the Council on Foundations, ICNL maintains reports on thirty-four countries to help U.S grantmakers undertake equivalency determinations for foreign grantees. The reports in this series describe the legal frameworks for nonprofit organizations and provide translations of relevant legislative provisions.
Read the Country Notes (via COF)General Resources
International Review of Philanthropy and Social Investment
The Centre on African Philanthropy and Social Investment at the Wits Business School in South Africa recently launched the International Review of Philanthropy and Social Investment, a new interdisciplinary international journal for cutting and leading edge primary research on philanthropy and social investment. It explores the emergent and developing field of philanthropy and social investment in Africa and beyond.
Read moreAid Barriers and the Rise of Philanthropic Protectionism
Around the world, countries are limiting the ability of civil society organizations to benefit from cross-border philanthropy. This article by Douglas Rutzen categorizes these constraints, summarizes governments’ justifications, and analyzes restrictions under international law.
Read moreUnderstanding the Drivers of De-Risking and the Impact on Civil Society Organizations
This research report from the European Center for Not-for-Profit Law describes the effect on civil society organizations of banks’de-risking practices, including inordinate delays in cash transfers, onerous due-diligence requirements, the inability to open bank accounts, and arbitrary closures of bank accounts.
Read moreThe Regulatory Framework for Fundraising in Europe
This study, produced by the European Center for Not-for-Profit Law, compares the legal frameworks for fundraising in sixteen European countries.
Read moreBasics of Grassroots Fundraising
This publication introduces the basic rules and principles of fundraising and offers practical advice on overcoming the difficulties commonly connected with raising funds. The handbook was produced by the Czech Fundraising Center, with support from the European Center for Not-for-Profit Law.
Read moreAllies or Adversaries? Foundation Responses to Government Policing of Cross-Border Charity
Professor Oonagh Breen, former ICNL board chair, explores the drivers behind recent restrictions on cross-border philanthropy, particularly the constraints imposed in the name of development effectiveness and host-country ownership of the deliberative space.
Read moreStates, Public Space, and Cross-Border Philanthropy: Observations from the Arab Transitions
Professor Barbara Ibrahim, ICNL board member, explores the policies and regulations shaping an important aspect of civic life, the mobilization of funds for public purposes. The paper focuses on international funding flows for philanthropic purposes, with case studies from Egypt and Tunisia.
Read moreGuidelines for a Model Foundations Law in the MENA region
These guidelines, available in Arabic and English, identify key elements to include and best practices to consider in drafting foundation laws in several Arab countries. The guidelines were drafted in consultation with associations and philanthropic organizations working in the Middle East and North Africa.
Read moreInternational and Comparative Law Analysis of the Right to and Restrictions on Foreign Funding of Non-Governmental Organizations
This paper by the American Bar Association’s Center for Human Rights examines the legal framework for cross-border funding as a protected right at international, regional, and national levels.
Read moreInternational Investment Treaty Protection of Not-for-Profit Organizations
In this ICNL paper, trade experts analyze the protections that investment treaties provide to cross-border funding of civil society organizations.
Read moreExperiences on the Implementation of the Percentage Designation Mechanism
Percentage-designation mechanisms are common supplementary sources of funding for civil society organizations in Central and Eastern Europe. This report by the European Center for Not-for-Profit Law provides an overview of percentage-designation legislation in Hungary, Poland, and Slovakia and reviews examples of the use of these mechanisms by civil society organizations.
Read moreThe Closing Space Challenge: How Are Funders Responding?
This report by Thomas Carothers explores increasing restrictions on cross-border funding for civil society organizations and assesses funders’ responses.
Read moreUN Resources
UN Special Rapporteur Report on Foreign Funding of CSOs
In this report, the UN special rapporteur on the rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and of association explains that these freedoms include the right to seek, receive, and use resources from domestic, foreign, and international sources.
Read moreIndia: UN Special Rapporteur Argues that Restrictions on Foreign Funding are Contrary to International Law
This legal analysis by the UN special rapporteur on the rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and of association argues that India’s Foreign Contributions Regulation Act fails to conform to international law, principles, and standards.
Read moreAll Philanthropy Resources
Tunisia’s Implementation of FATF Recommendation No. 8 and Its Impact on Freedom of Association
Update on Amendments to Georgia’s Law on Grants
Brazil Tax Reform and Civil Society: Implications for Nonprofit Funding and Tax Exemptions
Explore our full global resource collection, which includes reports, legal analysis, and curated collections of materials covering an array of issues impacting civic space around the world.
Sign up for our newsletters
Sign up