Acting to Address the Needs Not Met by the State

In 2017, foundations dedicated 800 million euros to Social Work. This represents 115,000 initiatives that have benefited 34 million people.

In light of the precarious situation in certain social strata and the insufficiency of public funds to alleviate inequalities, the role of social work carried out by foundations is increasingly gaining strength. “This activity plays a key role and is a fundamental pillar for building a more equal framework of coexistence. We have a commitment to society, especially with the most vulnerable and unprotected sectors, complementing programs of public administrations that can be strengthened or supporting others that we believe need our assistance,” explains Juan Carlos López, Head of Social Work and Customer Relations at CECA.

Although, following the economic crisis, the level of investment from foundations in these programs remains far from the 2.060 billion euros allocated in 2008, last year marked the third consecutive year of budgetary increases: these organizations, which originated from the former savings banks, dedicated over 800 million euros to social aid projects, job creation, culture, or the promotion of education and culture, which represents a 9% increase compared to 2016, as noted in the CECA’s 2017 Social Work Report. “The increase in investment has been linked to an effort by foundations to be more efficient and optimize their resources, seeking synergies, better managing their assets, and developing sustainable programs over time,” emphasizes Juan Carlos López.