What Friends Foundation does

Friends Foundation (Фонд «Друзья»), founded in 2015, is a Russian charitable nonprofit registered in Moscow that operates as a 'fund of funds' — an intermediary aggregator that professionalizes the country's nonprofit sector by brokering capacity between NGOs, businesses, and donors. Its three flagship programs are ProCharity, an online intellectual-volunteering platform (procharity.ru) matching pro bono professionals with charitable foundations in marketing, legal, IT, and consulting work; the Moscow School of Professional Philanthropy (MSPP / МШПФ), a licensed educational institution on its ninth cohort, offering multi-module management courses for NGO executives; and the Center for Research and Knowledge, which publishes open-access infrastructure studies such as the 2026 'Alpha-Donors' teen philanthropy research with Alfa-Bank's A-Club and the 2020 'Growth Zones' study with TASS.

Revenue is generated through three streams: donations and event-based fundraising (the annual Ballet Charity Battle auction raised 27.4 million RUB at the May 2026 anniversary gala, contributing to a 50+ million RUB evening total), tuition fees from MSPP programs, and bespoke CSR/ESG consulting for corporate clients. The foundation does not publish audited financial statements and revenue is not publicly disclosed.

The foundation serves an audience split across three primary customer segments: NGOs (2,500 served annually; 1,000+ active professional requests per year); corporations seeking to develop CSR strategy or intellectual-volunteering programs (corporate users include Mastercard, Yandex, Sberbank, Alfa-Bank, Sibur, Coca-Cola, X5 Group, McKinsey, Beeline, and Rostelecom); and individual professionals and trustees (4,000 volunteers and 250 experts engaged across programs). Strategic positioning rests on a three-pronged offering — volunteer matching, education, and research — designed to professionalize a fragmented Russian philanthropy sector rather than compete as a direct grant-maker.

Name

Friends Foundation

Legal name

Благотворительный фонд содействия некоммерческим организациям в сфере образования, науки, культуры, медицины и социальных программ «Друзья»

Website

https://friendsfoundation.ru

Company type

Private

Founded year

2015

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Friends Foundation is a Russian charitable nonprofit operating as a 'fund of funds' that professionalizes the country's NGO sector through three programs: ProCharity (intellectual volunteering platform), Moscow School of Professional Philanthropy (NGO executive education), and Center for Research and Knowledge (open-access philanthropy research).

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Nonprofit Capacity Building and Charitable Foundation Services

NAICS

Grantmaking Foundations (813211), Grantmaking and Giving Services (81321), Grantmaking and Giving Services (8132)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Management Consulting Services (8742), Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Private Foundations (BPAGAKAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Scholarship & Fellowship Foundations and Trusts (EDADAHAC), Philanthropy & Foundations Advisory (Donor-Advised Funds, Endowments) (FSAAABAH), Social Impact & Inclusive Finance Funds (FSANAJAH)

Keywords

• Intellectual volunteering
• Nonprofit capacity building
• Charity sector consulting
• Philanthropy education programs
• Corporate CSR consulting

Headquarters

HQ city

Moscow

HQ country

Russia

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Donations and charitable contributions: Primary revenue stream from individual and corporate donations, including one-time and recurring contributions. The foundation conducts major fundraising events and charity auctions.
2. Educational program fees (MSHPF): Moscow School of Professional Philanthropy charges tuition for its management courses for NGO executives and managers. The fund holds an educational license and issues diplomas upon completion.
3. Corporate CSR consulting: The foundation consults companies on CSR and ESG strategy development, creates turnkey charity strategies for business, and evaluates effectiveness of social projects.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Friends Foundation operates as a "fund of funds" running three flagship programs: ProCharity (an online intellectual volunteering platform connecting skilled professionals with charitable foundations for pro bono assistance), the Moscow School of Professional Philanthropy (MSPP, which delivers management and leadership courses to NGO executives), and the Center for Research and Knowledge (which conducts infrastructure research on the Russian charity sector). Beyond these programs, the foundation consults businesses on CSR/ESG strategy and runs fundraising events including the annual Ballet Charity Battle and charity auctions.

Product overview

Friends Foundation operates as a fund of funds offering three interconnected flagship programs. ProCharity is an intellectual volunteering platform connecting professional volunteers with charitable foundations for pro bono assistance. The Moscow School of Professional Philanthropy (MSPP) is an educational institution with management courses for NGO leaders and managers. The Center for Research and Knowledge conducts infrastructure research on the charity industry, publishing findings openly and providing consulting services. The three programs work together to professionalize Russian charities by combining volunteer support, education, and evidence-based research.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• ProCharity: Professional intellectual aid platform for charitable foundations connecting pro bono professionals with NPOs
• Moscow School of Professional Philanthropy (Московская школа профессиональной филантропии)
• Center for Research and Knowledge (Центр исследований и знаний)

Products and services

• ProCharity Professional intellectual volunteering platform that connects charitable foundations requiring skilled assistance with volunteer experts offering pro bono services in areas such as marketing, law, IT, and consulting. The platform helps NGOs reduce operational costs and extend their reach, and has engaged 4,000+ volunteers to provide pro bono assistance to charity funds.
• Moscow School of Professional Philanthropy (MSPP) Educational institution offering management courses for NGO executives and managers, including an 8-module leadership program and a 6-month practical management course. The school charges tuition, holds an educational license, and issues diplomas to graduates; it has certified 150+ charity professionals as specialists.
• Center for Research and Knowledge Analytical and research division of the fund that conducts infrastructure studies on the charity industry and publishes findings openly. Recent research includes the Alpha-Donors study on teenage philanthropy, Real Estate in NGO Work, and NPO training needs.

Quantifiable outcome

• 2500 NGOs receive help through foundation programs annually
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration1 record

Partnerships

27 partnerships are on record, tiered major, core and minor.

• OTP BankmajorGTM or Marketing Partner · 23 May 2026OTP Bank provided support for the 11th anniversary celebration event Ballet Charity Battle at Barvikha Luxury Village. OTP Private Banking created the art installation 'Cube' inspired by Rubik's Cube.
• Barvikha Luxury VillagemajorGTM or Marketing Partner · 23 May 2026Concert hall venue partner for the 11th anniversary Ballet Charity Battle event. Provided luxury venue for the charity evening and auction.
• Yandex Charity Fund 'Help is Here'coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 23 May 2026Yandex's charity fund 'Pomoshch Ryadom' (Help is Here) partnered with the foundation for various initiatives including the anniversary event. The fund offers astrology mail service for event guests.
• AmediatekaminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 23 May 2026Online cinema partner providing LED corner photo space at anniversary celebration event.
• Sberbank (Raz Dva Platform)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 23 May 2026The 'Raz Dva' platform for creating and managing endowment funds works with support from Sberbank and helps social organizations create targeted endowments. Sber Private Banking supported 'Beseda PRO Blagotvoritelnost' strategic session.
• SouzmultfilmminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 23 May 2026Animation studio partner providing experiences for charity auction including backstage tour with Chairman Juliana Slashcheva and scene from 'Nu, Pogodi!' cartoon.
• Metropol HotelminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 23 May 2026Luxury hotel partner providing experience auction lots including dinner with hotel's brand chef Andrei Shmakov and suite stay with secret tour.
• Rappoport RestaurantsminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 23 May 2026Restaurant group providing anniversary cake and catering for charity events.
• Usachevsky MarketminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 23 May 2026Market partner providing refreshments and hospitality for anniversary celebration event guests.
• BIONIKA Preventive Medicine CenterminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 23 May 2026Preventive medicine center providing mirror lounge zone and gift certificates for event guests.
• Stargift GalleryminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 23 May 2026Gallery providing auction lots including Rudolf Nureyev photograph with autograph and meeting with Alla Sigalova.
• ONEGIN VodkaminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 23 May 2026Premium vodka brand providing seasonal cocktail interpretations with berry infusions at anniversary event bar.
• SimplePriveminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 23 May 2026Premium service providing sparkling and still wines accompaniment for anniversary event.
• Central Ballet SchoolminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 23 May 2026Ballet school providing experience auction lot including ballet class with Prima Ballerina Ekaterina Shipulina and Big Theatre visit.
• Marc-Antoine Barrois Perfumery HouseminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 23 May 2026Perfumery house represented by Cosmotheca providing fragrances and signature candles as gifts for event guests.
• MNLive Concert AgencyminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 23 May 2026Concert agency partner for anniversary celebration event organization.
• Follow the Flowers Florist StudiominorGTM or Marketing Partner · 23 May 2026Florist studio providing flower arrangements and fruit baskets for auction winners at anniversary event.
• |catalog| Art FairmajorGTM or Marketing Partner · 17 April 2026Friends Foundation was official charity partner of the fifth edition of |catalog| contemporary art fair. Foundation presented special section with works from private collections of foundation patrons; proceeds support MSPPF, ProCharity, and Research Center.
• Alfa-Bank (A-Club)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 25 June 2025Alfa-Bank's A-Club provided support for the Alpha-Donors research study on teenage philanthropy practices. The research was presented at an event hosted by the A-Club and explored how teenagers aged 14-17 participate in charity.
• Sber Private BankingmajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Supported the strategic session 'Beseda PRO Blagotvoritelnost' bringing together NGO leaders, business representatives, philanthropists, media, culture, and government officials.
• CIANminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Partnership for research 'Real Estate in NGO Work' exploring challenges and opportunities for NGOs regarding real estate objects for organizational needs.
• YandexcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2020Since 2020, Friends Foundation became permanent infrastructural partner for Yandex's social project 'Help is Here'. The fund provided consulting on charity sector requests and verified NGO applications for free services.
• LamodaminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2020In 2020, Friends Foundation and Lamoda conducted a charity flash mob #FriendsLaDoma encouraging people to stay home during COVID-19 isolation. Example of situational business-NGO collaboration.
• Bosco di CiliegimajorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2020Annual charity tennis tournament Bosco Friends Open with participation of Russian tennis stars, Olympic champions, and business/media representatives. Raises 1-8 million rubles annually for charity development.
• TASS News AgencymajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2020In 2020, Friends Foundation jointly with TASS agency presented 'Growth Zones' research identifying under-resourced areas of charitable aid in Russia and their potential.
• Alfa-Bank, Sibur, Rostelecom, Coca-Cola, Beeline, X5 Group, McKinseycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2019Corporate partners using ProCharity platform for intellectual volunteering implementation in corporate culture, CSR programs, HR, and internal communications. Full list of partners includes Alfa-Bank, Sibur, Rostelecom, Coca-Cola, Beeline, X5 Group, McKinsey and other international companies.
• MastercardcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2017Mastercard was the general partner and primary funder for launching the ProCharity intellectual volunteering platform in 2017. Funding was provided for website development and project implementation through 2021.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Nuzhna Pomosh / To Whom I Can (Нужна помощь): Online platform aggregating Russian charities and enabling donations. Directly comparable to Friends Foundation's ProCharity in using a digital platform to professionalize and intermediate charitable activity, though focused on donations rather than pro bono services.
• Podari Zhizn (Gift of Life / Подари жизнь): One of Russia's most prominent charitable foundations supporting children with cancer and other serious illnesses. Comparable to Friends Foundation as a large Russian nonprofit using professional management and corporate partnerships, though focused on direct beneficiary services rather than NGO support.
• Russian Donors Forum (Форум доноров): Russian association of grantmaking and corporate foundations coordinating the philanthropy sector. Directly comparable to Friends Foundation as a hub organization serving NGOs and corporate donors in the Russian philanthropy space, though it functions more as an industry association than an operator of programs.
• Charities Aid Foundation Russia (CAF Россия): Russian branch of international charity CAF providing grantmaking and donor advisory services. Comparable to Friends Foundation as an intermediary / fund-of-funds organization operating in Russia and connecting donors with vetted NGOs.
• Sistema Foundation (Благотворительный фонд «Система»): Large Russian corporate foundation supporting social, educational, and cultural initiatives with grantmaking and program management. Comparable to Friends Foundation as a major grantmaking and capacity-building foundation, but with corporate (AFK Sistema) funding versus Friends' donor-driven model.
• Vladimir Potanin Foundation (Фонд Потанина): One of Russia's largest private foundations running grant programs, professional development for NGO leaders, and endowment programs. Directly comparable in mission and program mix (grantmaking + professional philanthropy education + endowment support) to Friends Foundation's three-pillar model.
• Naked Heart Foundation (Фонд «Обнажённые сердца»): Foundation supporting children with special needs and promoting professional training for social sector workers. Comparable to Friends Foundation in mission emphasis on professionalizing social services and building educational infrastructure for the charity sector.

Others

• Philanthropy Roundtable: US-based association of philanthropists and foundations providing research, networking, and education for donors and grantmakers. Comparable to Friends Foundation's Research Center and MSPP programs in providing education and thought leadership for the philanthropic sector, though not operating as a direct grantmaker.

Broad incumbents

• Oxfam International: Large international NGO working on poverty, inequality, and advocacy globally. Comparable to Friends Foundation at the conceptual level of professionalizing philanthropy, but operates at far greater scale and scope with a development/advocacy mandate rather than a domestic fund-of-funds model.

Emerging players

• Pro Bono Lab: French-based nonprofit connecting skilled volunteers with charities for pro bono assignments. Directly comparable to Friends Foundation's ProCharity platform in the intellectual volunteering / pro bono matching model, though operating in different geographies.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/friendsfoundation

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles10 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Friends Foundation