An American non-profit foundation is helping US donors contribute to a wide range of projects in France, from restoring iconic landmarks to funding medical research.
Friends of Fondation de France was established in 2000, and since then has granted over $50 million to French projects.
They range from the Institut Imagine, a world leader in the study of genetic and rare diseases, to the restoration of Notre-Dame cathedral.
Americans were the biggest donors to the restoration after the French, raising €64 million. Friends of Fondation de France was one of just three organisations in the US tasked with fundraising for the reconstruction.
Restoring the Hermione
Another important project for which Friends of Fondation de France is currently fundraising is the restoration of the French frigate Hermione.
“This project is rich in symbolism and history,” said Domitille Marchal Lemoine, executive director of Friends of Fondation de France. “The Hermione frigate brought Lafayette to America in 1780 to announce France’s support for the Revolutionary war.”
A replica was built in Rochefort (Charente-Maritime) and sailed to the US in 2015, retracing the journey of General Lafayette, the French military officer who volunteered for George Washington’s Continental Army in the Revolutionary war.
However a 2021 inspection of the replica revealed structural damage and a dangerous fungus. Restoration will cost $5 million.
“Our dream is for the Hermione to cross the Atlantic once more, to participate in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics and celebrate the 250th anniversary of American independence, crewed by young American and French volunteers. But time is short and we urgently need support,” said Ms Lemoine.
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Rise in donations
“In recent years, there has been an exponential increase in the donations made through Friends of Fondation de France to a growing number of nonprofit partners,” Ms Lemoine said.
US-based donors can make tax-deductible donations to over 200 pre-registered projects. The foundation also works with French organisations to help them launch or grow their fundraising in the US.
Americans donated the most to the reconstruction of Notre-Dame cathedral after the French.David Bordes
Projects range from arts and culture, which make up a third of the total projects, to medical research, youth, education and environmental causes.
Donations have gone to the Musée d’Orsay and Musée Rodin in Paris and the Cannes Film Festival, as well as heritage sites including the Grandes Ecuries de Chantilly, Mont Saint-Michel and the Paris Catacombs.
Another French organisation supported by Friends of Fondation de France is Gobelins, one of the world’s leading animation schools.
“The school leads a scholarship programme supporting African animation students with access to a top animation education, with significant support from the US facilitated by Friends of Foundation de France,” said Ms Lemoine.
Since 2019, Netflix and Gobelins Paris have partnered to offer scholarships to African students pursuing master’s degrees, supporting emerging talent from countries including Ghana, Ethiopia, Kenya and South Africa.
Historic links
There is a long and rich history of support between the US and France, said Ms Lemoine.
“The relationship between both countries has been fuelled by generosity, starting with French soldiers coming to fight for the independence of the United States, to the World Wars, when American soldiers lost their lives fighting to liberate France.
And these strong ties have been strengthened by philanthropy.
“The Palace of Versailles would not have been saved after World War I without the support of American philanthropists. The Statue of Liberty is a sign of generosity between our countries, as the statue was funded by French donors, and the pedestal by American donors.”
Is there a typical kind of donor who supports French projects through the foundation?
“Across all these giving areas, our projects receive funding from a wide range of donors, including many American Francophiles who have a special bond with France, who tend to give to projects in Arts and Culture,” said Ms Lemoine.
“We also have many individual donors who want to support a specific cause in France because of the work they do, or foundations who want to foster collaborations globally. Each project has a different DNA and specific donors.”
How to get support
Any French organisations hoping to work with Fondation de France to raise money from US donors must first apply, making sure they comply with both French and US regulations for non-profit status.
After “rigorous due diligence” the board of Friends of Fondation de France has to approve the project, said Ms Lemoine.
After this vetting process and approval, an organisation can start fundraising through Friends of Fondation de France.
“(We) provide non-profit organisations with comprehensive support to fundraise in the United States. Through fiscal sponsorship, we allow the organisation to receive tax-deductible donations as well as a diverse range of guidance tailored to its specific needs.”
For all Friends of Fondation de France projects,see here.
