The book is the testimony of an acute observer of the way foundations have developed in Europe and a passionate demonstration of the relevance and value of the third sector today, an agglomerate of organisations, bordering between the public and private spheres: non-government organisations, associations, organisations of the social economy, of patronage and volunteerism: all entities that forge links between the public administration and market operators. The author argues that the non profit sector will be a protagonist in the future, a great social connector in a world that is increasingly complex, less safe, and marked by conflict.