LogoLogo
  • Welcome to Open Collective Europe
  • What is Open Collective Europe?
  • What We Offer
    • Umbrella organisation
    • Online Platform
    • Tax deductible donations
  • Getting started
    • How to apply
      • Application Questions
    • Eligibility
    • Our Terms & Conditions
  • How it works?
    • Basics
    • Expenses
      • Invoices or reimbursements?
      • Expenses & Getting Paid FAQs
      • The partnership
        • VAT in Europe and how it works in OCE
      • Virtual cards
    • Financial Contributions (How to Donate)
      • Wire Transfer Instructions via Open Collective Platform
      • Applying for Grants
      • Fundraising Tools & Resources
      • Setting up GitHub Sponsors
      • Contributions in cryptocurrencies
      • Refunds
  • About
    • Mission, Vision & Impact areas
    • Risk and Compliance aspects
    • Safeguarding Policy
    • 🌊Code of Conduct
    • Terminology
    • Contact Us
  • FAQ
    • General FAQs
    • Fiscal Hosting FAQs
    • Expense FAQs
    • Contributions FAQ
  • ☮️The Global Statelessness Fund
    • The Fund
    • Building Trust with Donors
  • GUIDES
    • Deciding on How to Use Your Money
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On this page
  • What We Do
  • Legal and Operational Framework
  • Who We Serve
  • How to Work With Us
  • What’s the Difference Between Open Collective Europe and Open Collective?

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What is Open Collective Europe?

Open Collective Europe is a Belgian public utility foundation that fiscally hosts over 500 initiatives and partners with philanthropic institutions to support global regranting.

What We Do

Unlike traditional nonprofits or grantmakers, OCE combines a legal structure with digital infrastructure to enable:

  • Fiscal hosting for unincorporated groups: Solidarity, cultural, civic tech, and open-source initiatives can operate under OCE’s legal umbrella.

  • Grant distribution and fund management: We manage philanthropic funds and regranting mechanisms for foundations seeking to support grassroots initiatives across Europe and beyond.

  • Transparency and accessibility: Using the Open Collective platform, all financial activity is publicly visible, promoting trust and accountability.

Legal and Operational Framework

  • OCE is registered in Belgium as a Fondation d’utilité publique.

  • It operates through the Open Collective platform, which allows hosted initiatives to manage budgets, receive funds, and make expenses.

  • OCE holds an Equivalency Determination (ED) Certificate, allowing it to receive funds from U.S.-based private foundations in compliance with IRS regulations.

Who We Serve

  • Grassroots initiatives without legal structures

  • International philanthropic foundations seeking an intermediary in Europe

  • Networks and movements looking for fiscal and operational support

How to Work With Us

  • Projects can apply to be fiscally hosted

  • Foundations can establish custom regranting programs

  • Funds can be managed transparently and efficiently, without the need for complex international structures

What’s the Difference Between Open Collective Europe and Open Collective?

While Open Collective Europe and Open Collective work closely together, they are distinct entities:

  • Open Collective Europe is an independent, Belgian-based nonprofit foundation that offers fiscal hosting and fund management services.

  • Open Collective is a U.S.-based tech company that develops and maintains the open-source platform we use to deliver those services.

In short:

  • OCE = the legal and fiscal host

  • Open Collective = the technology provider

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Last updated 16 hours ago

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