Charities Aid Foundation to pilot Foundation Schools in Brazil and Russia

21 August 2008

The Charities Aid Foundation (CAF), together with its partner in Brazil, the Institute for the Development of Social Investment (IDIS) and the Russian Donors Forum, is to pilot two elite Foundation Schools for family philanthropists and their advisors in the fast growing BRIC economies.

Launching in Sao Paulo, Brazil on 21st August, the first Foundation School will be attended by 15 representatives from some of Brazil’s wealthiest families and their advisors. These include financial and legal advisors as well as existing foundation managers. Combined, the attendees represent families owning over $100 billion in personal wealth. A second Foundation School will be launched in Russia on the 7th October.

The six day courses will be held over four months. They will enable attendees to share experiences and knowledge of foundation and endowment management and will feature lectures from leading experts including:

  • Michael Madnick, Deputy Director for External Relations, Global Health Program, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation
  • Dr Shanta Acharya, of the London Business School
  • John Healy, former CEO of Atlantic Philanthropies
  • Chet Tchozewski, Executive Director of the Global Greengrants Fund
  • David Emerson, CEO of the Association of Charitable Foundations
  • Dr John Low, Chief Executive of the Charities Aid Foundation
  • David Devlin-Foltz, Programme Director at the Aspen Institute

Olga AlexeevaOlga Alexeeva, Head of CAF Global Trustees said: "People attending our schools are likely to be running the foundations of the future. At the moment, there isn’t an established structure to learn about philanthropy on this scale in Brazil or Russia. We hope the Foundation Schools will help people to get together to share their different experiences."

The Foundation Schools are funded by a grant from the Charles Stewart Mott Foundation to CAF Global Trustees (CAF GT) called New Philanthropists: Development of Giving. The grant was awarded "to encourage international private and family giving".


Notes to Editors:

  • CAF GT is a division of the Charities Aid Foundation that strives to encourage and support philanthropy among ultra high net worth individuals in emerging economies.
  • Established in 1924, CAF (Charities Aid Foundation) is the not-for-profit organisation which is committed to effective giving, both in the UK and internationally. Its work spans the full breadth of the charitable sector, wherever it can make a positive difference to the level and impact of giving. CAF promotes effective giving: for individuals, it makes donating to the causes they care about simple and tax-efficient; for businesses, it can support every aspect of their community involvement; and for charities, its services can help them make the most of what is given. With over 80 years’ experience and over £2 billion of funds invested in CAF’s products, CAF offers thousands of charities worldwide a total solution to their financial needs.
  • The Institute for the Development of Social Investment (IDIS) is a civil society organisation and a partner of the CAF international network. IDIS’ objective is to contribute to the reduction of social inequalities in the country by promoting the engagement of corporates, families, individuals and communities in strategic social initiatives that can change reality.
  • The Russian Donors’ Forum is a non-profit partnership created to enhance the effectiveness of organized grantmaking that aims to support the development of a democratic civil society in Russia.

Media Contact:

Charities Aid Foundation
George Leigh, Press Officer
T: 0207 832 3072
E: gleigh@cafonline.org