European Foundation Financial and Investment Officers Group

This group brings together senior investment officers from large independent European foundations to learn from one another. Through peer-exchange, benchmarking and collaborative problem-solving, members aim to advance the knowledge on the investment environment and practice of foundations across Europe and further the professionalism of its members.

Vision

A close-knit community where foundation investment officers navigate the unique challenges of endowment management through collective insights, deep sectoral experience, collaborative benchmarking and access to expert perspectives on market developments.

Areas of practice in focus

  • Portfolio strategy, asset allocation and risk management
  • Collaborative benchmarking
  • Expert insights on market developments, regulatory changes, emerging investment approaches and global economic outlook

Activities

  • Through annual benchmarking, shared learning and knowledge exchange, members compare their practices with those of their peers, identify gaps and adopt proven approaches.
  • Two annual in-person gatherings with outside expert perspectives and an active online community provide space for members to co-create solutions, share lessons learned and anticipate emerging investment challenges together.

Finding the right governance framework for investment portfolios in foundations

Nick Moakes, Wellcome Trust

Steering Committee

 

ITA
Fondazione Cassa di Risparmio di Padova e Rovigo
NLD
Stichting Fonds 1818

More about the Community

The idea of creating a platform for European foundation financial officers to address specific European investment issues was tabled by members of Philea, with the Van Leer Group Foundation leading the process towards the establishment of EFFIO in 2002. EFFIO currently has 22 members from 12 countries and connects over 20 investment professionals across member organisations.