Henri Grethen has been appointed Chairman of the Luxembourg Foundation, a charitable foundation created by the Luxembourg State and the Œuvre Nationale de Secours Grande-Duchesse Charlotte in December 2008 with a mission to promote philanthropy; he succeeds Pierre Gramegna, Minister of Finance, who will remain on the Board of Directors of the Fondation de Luxembourg.
The Foundation of Luxembourg acts as intermediary between donors and charitable organisations that support philanthropy. The Foundation conscientiously analyses projects and offers an umbrella foundation structure allowing donors to structure their long-term philanthropic commitments.
The Luxembourg Foundation manages 57 foundations under its umbrella to serve the general interest in Luxembourg and abroad. Last year, the Foundation had an exceptional year with regard to philanthropic donations exceeding €100 million in commitments across projects of general interest ranging from the social sector and education and culture, to the protection of the environment.
"This project was initiated by the former Finance Minister, Luc Frieden, from whom I took over, and has reached a new milestone by exceeding the €100 million mark," noted Pierre Gramegna. "These excellent results demonstrate the growing interest in philanthropy in Luxembourg and confirm the role of the Foundation as a facilitator to donors. While the Financial Centre continues its transformation, the Foundation is proving to be a vehicle for diversification, and even its promotion abroad. I warmly welcome Henri Grethen as new President and look forward to our collaboration in future years on the Foundation's Board of Directors."
Henri Grethen, incoming President of the Foundation of Luxembourg, said "I am very honoured to serve the Foundation of Luxembourg, an institution regarding which I have followed developments with great interest. The values held by the Foundation are particularly close to my heart and I am very pleased to see the increasing social commitment from donors. Having become an indispensable platform, the Foundation of Luxembourg is well equipped to continue to attract and support philanthropists from all walks of life in the coming years."
Member of the European Court of Auditors since 2008, Henri Grethen served as Minister of the Economy from 1999 to 2004. He was elected to the Chamber of Deputies in 1984 he held the position of Vice President from 1998 to 1999 and from 2006 to 2007.
