The Romanian Diaspora Funding Network (RDFN), with the support of the Romanian-American Foundation, presents an important study that lays the foundation for future donation mechanisms by analyzing who donates, how, and why among nearly 2,000 Romanians across Belgium, Germany, Italy, Spain, the UK, and the USA.

Produced by the Research Center for Civil Society based on fieldwork conducted by Wave Research and Triskuel, this report offers key insights into the motivations behind diaspora donations, the areas receiving the most support, country-specific donation patterns, and preferred giving methods. Designed for NGOs, donors, and partners, it provides essential data to strengthen the connection between the diaspora and Romanian organizations.

What Drives Romanian Diaspora Philanthropy – Report Highlights:

• High Engagement: 72% of diaspora members have donated in the past year or plan to donate soon.
• Annual Giving: Average donation is €780/year; most give 2–4 times per year, usually under €299 total.
• Where They Give: 79% donate in their country of residence; only 36% give to causes in Romania (46% among US-based donors).
• Top Motivations: Trust, impact, and personal fulfillment drive giving—especially in Spain, where impact leads.
• Most Supported Causes: Health (37%), volunteering (34%), education (25%), social services (24%), and development (23%).
• NGOs Lead: NGOs are the top recipients of diaspora donations in all countries, particularly in Spain. In the UK, families in need slightly edge out NGOs.

Download the full study to explore these insights and uncover new opportunities to enhance philanthropic engagement. For access to raw data files, please reach out to [email protected].