To that end, it focuses on the following:

Produce and share knowledge on philanthropy

Fondation de France contributes actively to the debate on the role of philanthropy in France and abroad. To that end, it regularly publishes nonprofit reference studies. With the Philanthropy Observatory and also thanks to its academic partners (the Essec Philanthropy Chair, the Philanthropy & Social Sciences Program at Université Paris 8 and the Geneva Centre for Philanthropy Center at Université de Genève), as well as institutional partners including France générosités, French Foundation Center, Admical, Philea), Fondation de France regularly produces reliable data and analysis on how the sector is evolving, what it represents in financial terms and how it contributes to all charitable activities. The national survey of foundations and endowment funds and Panorama National des Générosités (a national review of philanthropy), are some of the main studies it publishes.

In addition to the Philanthropy Observatory’s publications, Fondation de France also partners with other key stakeholders to carry out surveys on the sector. In 2021, Fondation de France co-produced a survey with nonprofit Ashoka, which brings together thousands of social entrepreneurs in 92 countries. The survey addresses systemic change in the nonprofit sector and aims to raise awareness of it. The Philanthropy Observatory also collaborates with the European Research Network on Philanthropy (ERNOP).

It also supports Alliance, the magazine of reference on philanthropy, to promote best practices and the most innovative initiatives internationally.

Bringing together philanthropy stakeholders

Fondation de France assists in organizing and professionalizing the sector. Together with other foundations, it has for instance contributed to creating entities tasked with representing them in government agencies and promoting all forms of philanthropy: France Générosités was created in 1998 and the French Foundation Center in 2002. The aim is two-fold: developing a legislative, fiscal and political framework that promotes the development of philanthropy, and facilitating cooperation and joint models for effective action. In December 2021, Fondation de France joined the French Coalition of Foundations for Climate created by Fondation Daniel et Nina Carasso and the French Foundation Center.

In Europe and further afield, Fondation de France has developed many collaborations with its counterparts, in a number of countries. In fact, it contributed to the creation of the European Foundation Center (EFC), now Philea, of which Axelle Davezac is a member of the executive committee. In 2019, Fondation de France hosted the EFC annual congress, which 800 foundation members attended. Every year, it actively participates in the international activities of Philea. Fondation de France is part of many other European and international philanthropy networks promoting the sharing of best practices and the networking of key sector stakeholders such as the Network European Foundations (NEF), chaired since May 2022 by Alexandre Giraud, sponsorship director of Fondation de France.

Promoting a culture of philanthropy

To promote a culture of philanthropy and pass on the willingness to help others from the youngest age, Fondation de France supports the School of Philanthropy, with the Edmond de Rothschild Foundations. The aim is to offer everywhere a pedagogical program throughout France to raise awareness of philanthropy in 8-11 year olds and encourage them in taking part in community projects.

Every other month, Fondation de France publishes a newsletter (La Lettre de la Philanthropie), to contribute to the public debate on topics in which philanthropy can showcase the specificity of its work. In it, you can read the news and trends of the charity world and contributions from philanthropists, experts and individuals from outside the sector.