BFSD Board member and Working Group Chairman, Dr. Jan-Olaf Willums explained, “We are completing the research and are now prepared to move forward with PRIME. Together with eurosif, we will create a flexible Tool-Kit for European Foundation leaders that provides them the capacity to take steps toward more properly aligning their asset management practices with their missions”.

Beginning at the World Summit on Sustainable Development (WSSD) in Johannesburg on 2002, the Bellagio Forum called upon Foundations to recognize the special role they play in society and to use more than just the return on their assets to affect positive change. “The Forum is a unique organization insofar that it brings together a variety of different sectors, however is clearly a predominantly foundation-led effort” explained BFSD Executive Director Sam Shiroff, “PRIME is an initiative that reflects this diversity and the need for cross-sector partnerships. Foundations will need the help and expertise from the financial community to take this step. A handful of pioneer organizations are really doing a great job. We hope to assist them in leading the way for others.”

The Tool-Kit itself will be published first in mid-2006. An announcement will be made during the 10th Anniversary of the Bellagio Forum for Sustainable Development. The Anniversary will be celebrated in Bellagio, Italy on April 27-29.