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RUF Partnerships

Become a Romanian United Foundation partner

We are more than 5 million Romanians in the diaspora — active, engaged, change-oriented. For the first time, we have a shared voice. RUF is where the organizations that build things find each other.

A vetted, invitation-only network. You apply, we talk, we decide together.

Apply nowSee the 3 pillars
150+
active partners
60+
countries
80+
projects funded

What it means to be a RUF partner

We work with partners along three clear tracks. Each has a different role, different expectations, and a different kind of relationship.

Before you apply, we help you identify where you fit.

The 3 pillars

Who we partner with

Pillar 1

Non-Profit Organizations in Romania

Partners in our fundraising campaigns

Who they are

Romanian non-profits with proven impact in education, health, community, environment, culture, or social causes. We work with them as beneficiaries in RUF diaspora fundraising campaigns.

How we work together

  • We select them as beneficiaries in annual campaigns (ROCK, RC$, themed campaigns)
  • We raise funds in the diaspora for their specific projects
  • We support their visibility in the global Romanian community
  • We require clear reporting on results and impact

It's a good fit if

  • You have at least 2 years of documented activity in Romania
  • You can report financial and impact results
  • Your projects align with RUF priorities (education, community, emergencies, sustainable development)
  • You're open to a long-term relationship, not just a single campaign

It's not a fit if

  • You're looking for unrestricted funding for general operating costs
  • You don't have reporting capacity or a transparent financial structure
  • You engage in partisan political or religious activity
  • You need a funding decision in less than 90 days
Pillar 2

Institutions, Corporations, Universities, and Large NGOs

Partners through GlobalRomania — connected to the diaspora

Who they are

Universities, government agencies, ministries, public institutions, corporations, large NGOs, and international organizations based or operating in Romania.

How we work together

  • We connect you with our global network of Romanian professionals
  • Access to GlobalRomania — the active diaspora platform
  • We co-create programs with international reach (education, research, business, policy)
  • Visibility at RUF/GR diaspora events (ROSummit, galas, local summits)
  • For universities: access to diaspora alumni and research collaborations
  • For corporations: access to talent, expertise, and measurable-impact CSR

It's a good fit if

  • You have a real strategic need to be connected to the diaspora
  • You're willing to give back to the diaspora — not just extract value
  • You have a decision-maker with authority who can commit the organization long-term
  • You understand the diaspora is a partner, not a target audience

It's not a fit if

  • You're only looking for media coverage or a one-off event
  • You want to use the RUF network to sell products without real added value
  • You don't have internal capacity to sustain a partnership relationship
  • You have partisan political objectives
Pillar 3

Diaspora Non-Profit Organizations

Partners in the Structured Network (Ambassadors Network)

Who they are

Associations, community hubs, Romanian clubs, Romanian schools, and non-profits run by Romanians in the diaspora — anywhere in the world.

How we work together

  • RUF microgrants for the diaspora — funding for concrete local projects
  • NPO Center inside GlobalRomania — resources, operational support, leadership training
  • Structured Network (Ambassadors Network) — infrastructure that connects communities globally
  • Access to GlobalRomania for you and your members
  • Visibility in global RUF campaigns
  • Support for member retention and growth

It's a good fit if

  • You have an active community, not just a Facebook page
  • You're willing to plug into the network's shared infrastructure
  • You have a dedicated community leader — a consistent point of contact
  • You have at least 12 months of documented activity
  • You understand collaboration — complementarity, not overlap

It's not a fit if

  • You run only a single event per year
  • You don't have capacity to engage members between events
  • You're only looking for access to funds, with no engagement in the network
  • You have a conflict of vision with an existing organization in the same geographic area

Other ways to get involved

Media Partners

Journalists, publications, podcasts, and PR professionals who amplify the community's voice.

Corporate Partners / Sponsors

Companies that support values and causes (usually via Pillar 2).

Individual Champions

People who contribute as individuals, not as an organization (#200Angels, ROCK Champions, volunteers).

The process

How the application works

We're a vetted, invitation-only network — which means a real conversation comes before any commitment.

  1. Your application(10 minutes)

    You fill out the form. Tell us who you are, what you do, and where you fit.

  2. Discovery conversation(30-45 min)

    We reach out within 7 business days. We talk with the right team.

  3. Decision

    We decide together, as a team, after the conversation. Reasonable timeline, clear reasoning.

  4. Onboarding

    Access to GlobalRomania, integration into groups, 30-day check-in, 90-day review.

Team

Who you'll talk to

Each pillar has a dedicated point of contact. After your application, we connect you with the right person.

Pillar 1 — Romania NGOs

Mihaela Livanu

Community Partners Director

Pillar 2 — Institutions (GR)

Aldina Gheorghe

Institutional & Partners Liaison

Pillar 3 — Diaspora (Ambassadors)

Diana Gini

Diaspora Partners Liaison

Apply

Think there's a fit?

Fill out the form. We'll reach out within 7 business days for a conversation. Not sure which pillar fits? That's fine — apply and we'll figure it out together.

Which pillar fits you? *

We respond within 7 business days. Your information is confidential and not shared outside the RUF team.