To encourage the development of the non-profit sector, Fondation de France has created partnerships with non-profit and academic actors, both in France and elsewhere.

Institutional partnerships to enhance the sector’s professionalization

Fondation de France has contributed to setting up reference entities, which promote and develop philanthropy in France, such as France Générosités and the French Foundation Center. It also works closely with other stakeholders, such as Admical and Ashoka.

The partnerships generate tangible joint action, like the creation of the French Coalition of Foundations for Climate in December 2020 and the publication of surveys as the Panorama des Générosités (a review of charitable giving in France) and the Study on systemic change carried out with Ashoka.

Academic partnerships to advance research and knowledge of the non-profit sector

Promoting collaborations between the non-profit sector and the world of research is essential for Fondation de France. The aim is to acquire knowledge of the philanthropy sector and society. Fondation de France has established partnerships with:

The Essec Philanthropy Chair, which it cofounded in 2011, was the first academic chair on this topic in France. It contributes to recognizing the work and impact of the philanthropy sector. The Chair publishes and disseminates research on philanthropy in France and in Europe.
For example, it coproduced the first French Mooc dedicated to philanthropy,  La philanthropie : comprendre et agir – 2017  (Philanthropy: understanding and taking action - 2017) as well as the French adaptation of The Essence of Strategic Giving, by American author, Peter Frumkin.

The Philanthropy & Social Sciences Program (PSSP), the multidisciplinary and international research program conducted at Université Paris 8, contributes to the development of empirical research on philanthropy. It also helps disseminate this work to sector stakeholders, publicly and internationally.
Each year, with the PSPP, Fondation de France organizes meetings and seminars, inviting non-profit and research actors to come together to think through key themes relating to philanthropy, as well as related topics, in France and elsewhere.

The Geneva Center for Philanthropy, in which all faculty disciplines meet (including history, sociology, literature, economy, law and theology) represents the interface between the practice of philanthropy and fundamental research. In April 2022, Fondation de France and the Geneva Center for Philanthropy co-organized the first European Academy of Strategic Philanthropy, bringing together leaders of the 25 largest European foundations. Its aim was to collectively think through major strategic and societal issues which the philanthropy sector currently needs to face. 

International partnerships to disseminate the most innovative initiatives worldwide

Fondation de France promotes generosity beyond borders, thanks especially to its Transnational Giving Europe network partners and to Friends of Fondation de France and Fondation de France Asia. These organizations make it possible for French donors to contribute to European and US nonprofits and for donors located in Europe and the US to contribute to French nonprofits. 

Find out more about international donations

Fondation de France is also a founder member of the European Foundation Centre, now Philea, following its merger with Dafne in May 2022. Axelle Davezac, Fondation de France’s Chief Executive Officer, is a member of the Philea Board of Directors. This network brings together European foundations and nonprofits to increase their impact for the common good.

 

Fondation de France is also a partner of the European Venture Philanthropy Association, whose members practice venture philanthropy and/or impact investment. In addition, it also supports NEF (Network of European Foundations), whose aim is to develop initiatives that link foundations and other philanthropy stakeholders across Europe. Alexandre Giraud, Sponsorship Director at Fondation de France, became the chair of the NEF in May 2022.

Fondation de France also works with international organizations such as the Wings network, with some 150 nonprofits throughout the world. For instance, it helped produce the mapping of African philanthropy.

It also supports the Alliance magazine, to contribute to a better understanding of philanthropy and its challenges, and to disseminate both best practices and the most innovative initiatives, internationally.

Operational partnerships for greater impact on the ground

As part of its programs, Fondation de France is also called on to develop operational partnerships and carry out work on the ground. Like the development of development of family farming in western Africa with Comité français de solidarité internationale (CFSI) for instance, or relief efforts in Beirut, with the Agence Française de Développement in the wake of the explosion in 2019. The European Programme for Integration and Migration (EPIM), which provides lasting support to nonprofits working with refugees and displaced, is another major program which Fondation de France is fully involved in.