In the 2004 Paris Donor Conference, EUR 34 million was raised which constituted the seed funds for REF’s operation. Since then, EUR 15 million has been raised from bi- and multilateral donor agencies, OSI, and the European Union via its different funding mechanisms available nationally in the REF’s partner countries.

The scholarship programs are funded by OSI and, for the Law and Humanities Program, also by the Remembrance, Responsibility and Future Foundation.  In the effort of diversifying its founding portfolio, the REF approached the private sector, including private foundations, individuals and businesses. 
Today, the Network of European Foundations (NEF) represents REF’s largest private donor, after OSI.
Given the clear need for the services of REF and given the phasing out of many of the bilateral donors from Central and Eastern Europe, additional funds are in high demand.