EURNOVA Workshop in Vienna: Insights into Trust-Based Funding Relationships in Foundation Practice

1 December 2025

Photo: L. Höpken

At the EURNOVA Nonprofit Management & Governance Research Workshop held at the Vienna University of Economics and Business on 20 and 21 November 2025, Lena Höpken and Janna Heegardt had the opportunity to present the research project being run jointly with our practice partner #TrustCreatesImpact (in German only) and offer an initial insight into its findings. In inspiring discussions, we received valuable feedback which will flow directly into our further analysis.

 Together with Silke Boenigk and Eva Schneider, we are working on making developments in foundation practice visible in the context of the FörderMonitor sectoral survey as well as on determining the shape that trust-based funding relationships take in practice and what effect they have. Our discussions in Vienna demonstrated to us just how dynamic and relevant this area of research is—and how important it is in the scientific and practical context. We look forward to being able to share more results in the coming months. Many thanks to the workshop organizers for inviting us and for creating a forum for us to engage in stimulating academic dialogue!