Fondation de France intervenes in emergency situations and in sudden and devastating events such as natural disasters or wars. Emergency work is carried out with NGOs and local nonprofits in the initial aftermath of the emergency. It then carries on over several months or years to help people rebuild their lives and environment. Faced with the range of needs and catastrophes our planet is experiencing, how does Fondation de France choose which area to target
When does Fondation de France take urgent action?
Fondation de France is not able to tackle every emergency situation in the world. Choices need to be made to guide mobilization towards the affected areas. A dedicated team decides when to take urgent action, in France and elsewhere. This temporary operational team consists in senior management, the Chief Sponsorship, Development and Communication Officers as well as the Fondation de France Emergency hub.
When Fondation de France needs to choose which emergency to address, it considers three main criteria:
- the extent to which this event mobilizes French people, as Fondation de France receives no state subsidies and needs to rely on their engagement and generosity;
- the capacity for taking action via national and local organizations in the target area;
- willingness from the media to join forces with Fondation de France to amplify its work.
The decision to act needs to be taken as soon as possible, for instance, within 24 hours of a natural disaster. Quick decisions taken by Fondation de France show it to be a capable fundraiser and able to act fast with organizations on the ground.
Once emergency action has been agreed by Fondation de France, projects and teams are carefully supervised to ensure lasting reconstruction in the area. Fondation de France intervention principles in an emergency are as follows:
- prioritize projects towards the people most affected and isolated;
- combine rigorous procedures, control and flexibility to meet priority needs;
- enhance long-lasting projects in accordance with the needs expressed by local nonprofits and beneficiaries;
- encourage the sustainable development aspect of projects supported;
- form a network of local nonprofits:
- train people on future risk prevention where possible;
- ensure that donations are transparent and traceable and set out in an information report for donors.
