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- Herausgeber: Fondation Ipsen Press
- Kategorie: Fachliteratur
- Sprache: Englisch
Philanthropy is valued in French culture. According to the Fondation de France’s barometer of French philanthropy, there are 4,650 Funds and Foundations in France in 2023. These structures commit nearly 11 billion euros per year to serve the general interest, an amount that continues to increase every year. Today, more than 30 billion euros in assets are held by these Funds and Foundations. Despite the deep-rooted value of philanthropy in French society, the non-for-profit sector is notoriously complicated in France. This book examines several types of foundations in France, including endowment funds, sheltered foundations, foundations recognized as being of public utility, and corporate foundations. Pros and cons for each are discussed in relation to their mission scope. Overall, understanding these distinctions is important for effective philanthropic strategies and for maximizing societal impact.
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Cover
Author for correspondence:Delval F., MALevine J.A., MD, PhDFondation Ipsen65 Quai Georges Gorse, 92100 Boulogne-Billancourt, France
Title
Summary
Philanthropy is valued in French culture. According to the Fondation de France’s barometer of French philanthropy, there are 4,650 Funds and Foundations in France in 2023. These structures commit nearly 11 billion euros per year to serve the general interest, an amount that continues to increase every year. Today, more than 30 billion euros in assets are held by these Funds and Foundations. Despite the deep-rooted value of philanthropy in French society, the non-for-profit sector is notoriously complicated in France. This book examines several types of foundations in France, including endowment funds, sheltered foundations, foundations recognized as being of public utility, and corporate foundations. Pros and cons for each are discussed in relation to their mission scope. Overall, understanding these distinctions is important for effective philanthropic strategies and for maximizing societal impact.
Table of Contents
Key 1. Introduction
Key 2. Understanding Foundations in France
Key 3. Types of Foundations in France
Key 4. Link between budget and legal status
Key 5. Governance and Accountability
Key 6. Collaboration and Partnerships
Key 7. Legal Compliance
Key 8. Adaptability to Changing Needs
Key 9. Comparison with the US
Key 10. Future of French Foundations
Key 11. Conclusion
Key 12. Acknowledgements
Key 13. Appendix
Introduction
1.1. Purpose and Scope of the Booklet
Foundations play a pivotal role within the philanthropic landscape of France, actively addressing a wide array of social, cultural, and environmental challenges. These foundations are classified into distinct types based on their legal structures and organizational frameworks. In this booklet, we will explore the four categories of foundations prevalent in France: endowment funds, sheltered foundations, foundations recognized as being of public utility, and corporate foundations. The Fondation de Coopération Scientifique, the Fondation Partenariale, the Fondation Universitaire and the Fondation Hospitalière will not be included in this booklet, as they originate from public institutions and are therefore of little relevance to the subject. Our investigation will encompass a comprehensive analysis of the merits and drawbacks associated with each foundation type, assessing how effectively they align with their respective missions and contribute to societal welfare. By delving into the intricacies of these foundation types, this booklet aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of their role in effecting positive change in French society.
1.2. Overview of Foundations in France
According to the Fondation de France’s barometer of French philanthropy, there are 4,650 Funds and Foundations in France in 2023. These structures commit nearly 11 billion euros per year to serve the general interest, an amount that continues to increase every year. Today, more than 30 billion euros in assets are held by these Funds and Foundations. Although individuals and families continue to be the primary founders, initiating roughly half of all philanthropic organizations, there is a growing engagement from companies as well. As for the operational approach, the distributive mode still prevails, representing around 80% of philanthropic organizations, while operator organizations constitute the remaining 20%. The social action remains the primary field of intervention, with a quarter of philanthropic organizations engaged in this domain, accounting for 40% of the expenses. While arts, culture, health, and education remain highly mobilizing causes, the survey also highlights the increasing number of foundations involved in environmental initiatives.
2
Understanding Foundations in France
2.1. Definition
A foundation is a philanthropic organization created by one or more private sector donors, serving a cause of general interest and operating on a non-profit basis. Thus, the foundation acts on behalf of beneficiaries by providing assets, rights, and resources for the realization of a project serving the public good. There are several types of foundations based on the intended mission, the nature of the founder, and the available means. There are four types of general Foundations in France, which will be described and discussed in section 3 of this booklet.
2.2. Historical background
The development of foundations in France has a long history, starting from the Middle Ages. During this period, foundations were primarily initiated by the Church and took the form of hospitals, monastic asylums, and abbots, engaging in charitable activities.
In the Renaissance era, charitable actions began to involve private initiatives through pious associations. These secular and permanent charitable activities complemented the Church’s charity efforts. However, concerns arose regarding the accumulation of wealth by certain foundations and their inalienable nature, making them exempt from royal taxes and inheritance rights. The French monarchy, unlike England, was more reserved towards foundations, and in 1666, the Edict of Saint-Germain subjected the existence and capacity of foundations to receive donations and legacies to royal authorization.
During the Revolution, foundations suffered greatly as the law Le Chapelier of 1791 asserted the state’s monopoly over public interest activities, leading to the dissolution of congregations and their foundations, along with the confiscation of ecclesiastical properties. This period caused a void in philanthropic initiatives until the late 19th century.
The creation of the Institut Pasteur in 1887 marked the end of this hiatus, funded by an international subscription to support Louis Pasteur’s scientific research.
Subsequently, in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, various foundations dedicated to managing institutions emerged, including the Fondation Thiers, Fondation Rothschild, and Institut Océanographique, among others.
Between the World Wars, the establishment of foundations, primarily managing institutions, continued, such as the Institut Curie, Fondation de la Croix Saint-Simon, Cité Internationale Universitaire de Paris, and more.
After World War II, there was a slight slowdown in the creation of foundations until the late 1960s when the French government decided to promote philanthropy. The Fondation de France was established in 1969, initiated by General de Gaulle and André Malraux.
In the 1990s and into the 21st century, foundations gained legislative recognition through the law of July 23, 1987, on philanthropy. The law defined the specificity of foundations and restricted the use of the term “foundation” to a specific scope. Various subsequent laws refined the regime and prerogatives of foundations, leading to the creation of corporate foundations, sheltered foundations and endowment funds.
3
Types of Foundations in France
3.1. Endowment Funds
3.1.1. Definition and characteristics
Endowment funds, also known as “fonds de dotation,” refer to a type of foundation that primarily focuses on managing and investing funds to generate income. These funds are typically generated through donations from individuals, families, or organizations, and the income generated from these investments and donations is used to support and finance the foundation’s charitable activities and projects. Endowment funds thus collect funds of private origin, which they can either constitute as an endowment from which it uses the fruits or consume to accomplish their mission. They can carry out this mission themselves or finance another organization of general interest for its accomplishment. Endowment funds are designed to ensure the financial sustainability of the fund, providing a stable and long-term source of funding to fulfill its mission and objectives. Unlike some other foundation types, endowment funds are not required to distribute a minimum percentage of their assets annually, allowing them greater flexibility in managing and allocating resources to achieve their philanthropic goals.
3.1.2 Pros and cons
Pros:
•Financial Stability: Endowment funds provide a stable and sustainable source of income, generated from their investments and received donations. This financial stability allows the foundation to plan and execute long-term initiatives and projects with confidence.
•
