Foundations: Let the noise not hide the reality

In recent months, the media has reported on the alleged irregular management of some foundations. The Catalan Coordinator of Foundations wishes to express our concern about the impact this information may have on the reputation of the foundation sector, a broad and diverse sector committed to the general interest and essential to collective well-being.

We express our absolute respect for judicial and administrative processes, as well as for the principle of the presumption of innocence, and our full confidence in the existing oversight mechanisms to ensure the proper functioning of foundations. However, it is important to take advantage of this context to reflect more deeply: possible malpractice cannot delegitimize a model rooted in Catalonia for centuries, which has demonstrated its solidity, commitment, and responsiveness, generating value for society as a whole.

Before continuing, it is important to put this into context: how would we explain what a foundation is and its influence on society to someone who has never heard of it? We are talking about non-profit entities that, by necessity, must carry out activities serving the general interest. They represent one of the most genuine expressions of civic and community commitment. In Catalonia, there are more than 2,100 active foundations working in essential areas such as health, education, research, culture, social action, and the environment, and they respond to needs that would not be met without their resources, teams, and capacity for action.

The foundational world is today a fundamental pillar for the progress and sustainability of our country. It complements public policies, innovates in responding to social needs, and is key to building a more just, cohesive, and advanced society. Furthermore, it contributes to structuring the country and ensuring that basic services reach the entire population.

Their constant work benefits thousands of people, and this is reflected in concrete data: in 2022, foundations provided more than 42 million services in Catalonia, the equivalent of 5.5 services per inhabitant. They generate nearly 102,000 jobs, have the collaboration of more than 45,000 volunteers, and mobilize around €6 billion annually to promote initiatives that benefit society as a whole.

And beyond the numbers, there are stories. Stories of foundations, which often go unnoticed, that research to cure diseases, that support children and young people in their education, that care for people in vulnerable situations, that promote a more sustainable future, or that bring culture closer to the whole country. Stories of commitment, a vocation for service, and a will to transform that silently underpin many of the collective achievements that make us proud as a society.

For all these reasons, we cannot allow any irregular conduct, however exceptional, to jeopardize public confidence in the entire foundation sector. And if malpractice occurs, it must be clear that the problem is not the foundation model, but the fraudulent use that some individuals may make of it out of self-interest. In these cases, it is necessary to act unambiguously: investigate, clarify, and, if necessary, determine responsibilities. The foundation sector, committed to its mission and values, must and will be forceful with any action that puts its integrity at risk.

At this point, it is interesting to ask ourselves a question: how do other organizations and legal entities receive similar situations? What happens, for example, when a company is involved in a case of allegedly irregular management? Typically, the focus is on individual responsibilities, but no one questions the corporate entity or the legitimacy of the thousands of companies operating in the country. Although this is a very simple and obvious argument, the same criteria should be applied to foundations and other non-profit organizations if we want to be fair and rigorous.

At the Catalan Coordinator of Foundations, we maintain a firm commitment to transparency, good governance, and continuous improvement. As the representative body of the foundation sector in Catalonia, we are the first to ensure that all foundations act in accordance with current legislation and the ethical values that define this legal entity. And we are also the first to condemn any deviation that could jeopardize the reputation of a group that works every day to improve people's lives.

Likewise, we express our respect and trust in the role of the Protectorate of Foundations, the administrative body that oversees the proper exercise of the right of foundation and ensures the fulfillment of its purposes. In fact, within the Third Sector as a whole, there is no other legal entity subject to such a high level of regulation and demands regarding transparency and accountability as foundations.

We don't let the noise hide the reality. The Catalan foundation sector is not only necessary: it is dynamic, responsible, and irreplaceable. We must shed light on this often-unknown collective heritage with objective data, but above all with human stories, witnesses that help explain the decisive role played by Catalan foundations, which work daily to improve society.