A Celebration of French American Philanthropy: 25 Years of Friends of Fondation de France
On July 7th, Friends of Fondation de France celebrated 250 years of French-American Friendship and 25 years of facilitating French-American philanthropy. In partnership with France-Amériques and Fondation de France, this event brought the French-American community together to celebrate the positive change made possible together through philanthropy.
Held at the Hotel de Marois in Paris, over 100 attendees joined the celebration, including representatives from many nonprofit partners.
The evening was inaugurated by opening remarks by Admiral Xavier Païtard, President of the Defense and International Security Section of Cercle France-Amériques, and Pierre Sellal, Ambassador of France and President of Fondation de France, highlighting the shared history and values that laid the foundation for philanthropic collaboration—including the creation of Fondation de France in 1969, which drew inspiration from the American model of community foundations.
A special panel discussion, “Transatlantic Philanthropy in Action”, was moderated by Domitille Marchal Lemoine, Friends of Fondation de France ’s Executive Director. The panelists—which included Leah Pisar, President of the Aladdin Project, Jean-Marc Lieberherr-Monnet, Chair of Institut Jean Monnet, Louis Langrée, Conductor, Director of the Théâtre National de l’Opéra-Comique, and Lionel Sauvage, Chair of the Board of Musée des Arts Décoratifs—explored the unique ties between France and the United States.
Frédéric Attal, Professor at the American University of Paris, provided an enlightening background of the diplomatic nature of American cultural policy since the 1940s, and its role in increasing the influence of the United States throughout the world.
The speakers emphasized how philanthropy has gone beyond mere financial support to become a powerful force for good. From aiding the reconstruction and unification of Europe after World War II to sustaining beloved cultural institution such as the Opéra-Comique today, the speakers also stressed how the strong tradition of charitable giving in the U.S. has helped bring extraordinary French initiatives to life—advancing education, science, and, in particular, arts and culture.
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