Fado, poetry and dancing - it’s TFN in Portugal!

What do Fado, waltzing, and a beautiful poem have in common?

They were all part of a creative matched-funding challenge at the inaugural Circle of Donations for Impact in Vila Nova de Gaia, just across the River Douro from Porto - only the second event in Portugal to adopt the TFN model.

Hosted on 23 October by our international partner, the Manuel Leão Foundation, this milestone event brought the magic of TFN’s live crowdfunding to life in our 32nd country!

With the support of the Portuguese Foundation Centre and the Municipality of Vila Nova de Gaia, the evening brought together more than 60 participants - including individual donors, local businesses, and foundations - to experience the power of collaborative philanthropy.

Thanks to the incredible generosity of the community and the unique matched funding challenge, the event raised a phenomenal €9,760. These vital funds will completely transform three outstanding local community projects:

• KARA-SENTIR: An inspiring initiative combining karate with multi-sensory activities to support the motor, cognitive, and emotional development of children with special educational needs.

• Senior Sensorial Garden: A project creating an accessible outdoor space for older adults, fostering active ageing through sensory stimulation and a connection to nature.

• CRM com Vida: A community-driven effort to refurbish local recreational facilities, ensuring a better-equipped space for sports, cultural activities, and civic engagement.

We are incredibly proud to see the TFN model crossing borders and enabling local communities to rally together for social change.

A huge congratulations to the Manuel Leão Foundation and everyone involved in making this inaugural event such a heartwarming success.

Click here to read a short blog by Ricardo Garcia, Secretário-Geral of the Portuguese Foundation Centre.