As France’s leading philanthropic alliance, Fondation de France promotes and develops networks for charitable activities in all domains that serve the public interest. Fondation de France not only encourages cooperation and exchanges, but also works to advance knowledge in the nonprofit sector.

A unique volunteer network

Solidarity, health, environment, medical research, education, culture – Fondation de France mobilizes its volunteer experts for all areas that serve the common good. 521 volunteers are currently donating their time to Fondation de France. In order to see their programs through, Fondation de France relies on 36 volunteer expert committees. Made up of civil society professionals – scientists, teachers, researchers, business leaders, and non-profit specialists, either active or retired – the committees’ role is to analyze and select the most innovative projects.

In the regions, our volunteers work closely with our six regional foundations. Using their experience and knowledge of local conditions, they help identify the projects that best address pressing concerns in each area.

The leading philanthropic network with 916 donor-advised funds

In 2020, despite the crisis, 42 new foundations joined Fondation de France. Today, Fondation de France is the leading philanthropic network, with 916 donor-advised funds engaged in all areas that serve the public good. Aside from offering customized support, such as expert advice and methodological assistance, we also strive to develop synergies and share good practices between foundations. Cooperation between Fondation de France and donor-advised funds has continued to increase over the last several years. The fruits of this collaboration can be seen in the frequent thematic workshops organized around major issues like education, culture, gender equality, and the ecological transition. These workshops offer an excellent opportunity to share analyses and experiences, and to lay the groundwork for mutually beneficial projects. 

Deepen and share philanthropic expertise

To foster the development of the philanthropy sector, Fondation de France has created partnerships with both national and international actors in the world of philanthropy.

The Philanthropy Observatory contributes to the development of the academic field of philanthropy, through its joint research projects with the Philanthropy chair at Essec Business School, the multidisciplinary international research program “Philanthropy and Social Sciences” at University of Paris 8, and the Philanthropy Center of the University of Geneva.

Sharing expertise to work effectively on the ground

Fondation de France has initiated and developed numerous partnerships with key actors in the sector, including the French Foundation Center (which it co-founded in 2011), and France Générosité. The goal is always the same: pooling knowledge resources, sharing good practices and working together on projects. For example, at the end of 2020, Fondation de France joined the French Coalition for the Climate to encourage foundations and endowment funds to commit to the fight against climate change.

Fondation de France also works with actors in other sectors to find customized responses to specific needs. In March 2020, at the beginning of the health crisis, Fondation de France joined forces with the Pasteur Institute and Paris hospitals. Together, they started the United Against the Virus Alliance. This unique partnership, based on complementary expertise and savoir-faire, made it possible to raise over 40 million euros for three different needs: medical research, care for hospital workers, and help for those most vulnerable.

To help non-profits overcome the challenges of the health crisis, Fondation de France also decided to establish a partnership with France Active, an organization that helps finance social entrepreneurship – and that the Foundation helped establish over 30 years ago with the Caisse des Dépôts.

For more than 50 years, Fondation de France has been deeply involved in medical research and helping those who are most vulnerable. With the aim of boosting the impact of these actions, Fondation de France has created various partnerships. For example, Fondation de France partnered with the Fondation Médéric Alzheimer to support inclusive initiatives designed to help people with Alzheimer’s disease. Together, they created the Fondation Médéric Alzheimer/Fondation de France Prize, which is awarded each year to the most innovative and reproducible project.