Romanian-American Foundation (RAF) invests in strategic programs that aim to get a higher number of citizens involved in actions and projects leading to the development of their own communities. These programs are designed to mobilize resources in support of civic initiatives and actions in the long run.

Since its founding in 2009, RAF has joined the efforts to support the creation and development of a national network of community foundations. Over the years, RAF has contributed significantly to the strengthening of this network as a partner and financial supporter of the National Community Foundation Development Program.

RAF supported the work of existing community foundations and provided grants to set up new foundations, for their organizational needs and local projects, through which they seek to mobilize financial resources from the community.

RAF currently provides grants and technical support to strengthen existing community foundations and expand the movement to a maximum of four new geographic areas. It also supports strategic initiatives coordinated locally by the community foundations and the Romanian Federation of Community Foundations at the national level, such as Fondul Științescu.

The program also benefits from grant-making expertise and support from the Romanian Environmental Partnership Foundation. Another strategic donor in the past has been the Trust for Civil Society in Central and Eastern Europe, while PACT Foundation had supported the program’s outreach in the south of Romania for the period 2009-2013. The CF movement also benefitted from support from Raiffeisen Bank (through ARC) and from Civil Society Development Foundation (through RFCF).