Premios Fundación Rafa Nadal
the RAFA NADAL FOUNDATION PARTICIPATES IN FORO DEMOS 2025 IN SEVILLE
The Rafa Nadal Foundation took part in Foro Demos 2025, held on September 30 and October 1 in Seville, with the participation of Fani Ginard, Head of Strategic Alliances; Jose Ruiz, Deputy Director; and Isa Pérez, Head of Communication.
Organized by the Spanish Association of Foundations (AEF), this forum has become the leading meeting point for the foundation sector in Spain. Its ninth edition, held at CaixaForum Seville, brought together more than 400 representatives of foundations and social entities to debate, share experiences and establish alliances under the theme “Borders of Philanthropy.”
Reflecting on the challenges of philanthropy
During the sessions, participants were invited to reflect on the new challenges of philanthropy in an international context marked by uncertainty, armed conflicts, and social and economic challenges.
At the opening session, Pilar García Ceballos, President of the AEF and promoter of the forum, recalled that the essence of the work of foundations is to “overcome limits and gaps” and emphasized the value of collective philanthropy: “It cannot be conceived as isolated acts, but as common efforts that respond to a shared purpose.”
Similarly, Marc Simón, Deputy Director of Fundación “la Caixa,” thanked all the foundations present and highlighted that in an unequal world, their role is “irreplaceable” because they are able to “stand alongside difficulties and address society’s challenges.”
Also speaking were Carolina España, Minister of Economy, Finance and European Funds of the Regional Government of Andalusia, who stressed the agility and flexibility of social entities in the region; and Pedro Fernández, Government Delegate in Andalusia, who closed the event highlighting the need for philanthropy and public action to work in a complementary way to multiply social impact.
Debates and thematic panels
Foro Demos 2025 not only offered a space for institutional reflection but also hosted dialogue panels and specialized workshops addressing key issues for the future of the foundation sector:
- Connecting opportunities through philanthropy, with the participation of Fundació La Ciutat Invisible and Fundación Banco Sabadell.
- Artificial intelligence in the foundation sector, focusing on ethical and operational applications.
- Early school leaving in Spain, one of the major social challenges.
- International organizations facing global change, with interventions from Philanthropy Europe Association (Philea), the United Nations, and UNHCR.
- Purpose-driven economy, with the CEOs of ACESUR, Hermanos Martín, and Fundación MOEVE.
- Philanthropy in the face of natural disasters, recalling the impact of the DANA storm in Valencia a year later, with Fundación Horta Sud, Fundación Felisa, Fundación Colisee, among others.
- Economic sustainability: driving change through philanthropy, with contributions from Calala Women’s Fund and Ashoka.
- AI applied to people with disabilities, with the participation of ONCE, Plena Inclusión Madrid, Fundación GMP, Fundación MAPFRE, and others.
- Employability in Spain, present and future, with the participation of Fundación Santa María la Real, Fundación Endesa, Fundación Repsol, and Fundación BBVA.
Parallel rooms also hosted practical workshops on just transition, the DEMOS artistic book, team dynamics, and the exploration of AI tools such as ChatGPT.
The forum concluded with the presentation of a Thesaurus of Philanthropy, promoted by Marta Rey and Isabel Peñalosa, two leading figures in the sector who have developed this digital resource as a “treasure map” to unify key concepts and better understand what philanthropy is and its impact on society.
Rafa Nadal Foundation: commitment to social transformation
The Rafa Nadal Foundation’s participation in Foro Demos 2025 reflects its commitment to synergies and knowledge exchange with other organizations in the sector.
The presence of Fani Ginard, Jose Ruiz and Isa Pérez strengthened the Foundation’s ties with other organizations and showcased its experience in promoting equal opportunities for children and young people in vulnerable situations through education and sport.
A meeting space for the sector
Foro Demos, promoted each year by the AEF, has as its main objectives:
- Bringing foundations’ work closer to citizens.
- Encouraging collaboration between entities.
- Sharing solidarity experiences.
- Promoting a culture of giving.
- Raising awareness of the value of the foundation sector in Spain.
This year, the meeting in Seville was consolidated as a “decisive space for the future of foundations”, in a global context full of challenges that requires cooperation, social innovation, and a strong commitment to the common good.