from Philanthropy Journal:

Russian community funders growing up

Since 1998, when the first community foundation was established in Russia, the fledgling funders have grown sturdy enough to weather the Great Recession and become an important part of the social fabric of some local areas, a new book says.

Located primarily in rural areas, the nation’s community foundations remain largely optimistic about their futures, but face significant hurdles, says “Community Foundations in Russia,” published by the State University – Higher School of Economics in Moscow.

The country has about 29 community foundations, either in operation or in the early stages of development, that cover about 10 percent of the population, according to the Community Foundation Partnership, an association of foundations.