NEF is a joint-initiative of a small number of foundations. We are not a membership-based organisation, but all NEF pooled funds/projects are open to other foundations. Every year we work with more than 60 foundations from over 20 countries and various strategic partners. Our main focus is on enabling better and more strategic collaboration between foundations.We define our mission as follows: ‘European solidarity through philanthropy for social inclusion, international development and democracy’.

NEF's work focuses on three areas, the largest of which is International Devlopment. Within that area it supports Ariadne.

We operate as a broker that supports the development and launch of transnational partnerships/joint-ventures, engaging foundations and, where appropriate, other partners.

Our core work is to operate pooled funds on behalf of a group of foundations. We coordinate the programme from the launch of a call for proposals to the due diligence of the grantees and capacity development activities. We may also participate in strategic discussions around the design of the pooled fund.

We are a light, flexible and reactive organisation. We adapt our administrative costs according to the level of services required by each initiative, in order to be cost efficient.