On September 10, 2025, we were honored to welcome more than 130 guests at Villa Albertine in New York to celebrate the 25th anniversary of Friends of Fondation de France and the Légion d’Honneur ceremony of the Secretary of our Board, Victoria B. Bjorklund.
The evening of celebration was both a milestone and a tribute, honoring not only what we have been able to accomplish together over the last 25 years of philanthropic collaboration, but of the long-standing legacy of friendship and shared history that this relationship has been built on.
Consul General of France, Cédric Fouriscot, inaugurated the evening with heartfelt words of welcome, highlighting the importance of transatlantic bonds in shaping French-American philanthropy, and the lasting impact of Victoria’s leadership.
The celebration began with an extraordinary recognition: Victoria Bjorklund, founding board member and Secretary of Friends of Fondation de France, was presented with the insignia of Knight in the Order of the Legion of Honor.
Axelle Davezac, President of the Board of Friends of Fondation de France and CEO of Fondation de France, reminded us that this anniversary represents not only 25 years of impact, but also 250 years of shared friendship and generosity. Drawing on history from Lafayette to the present, she spoke of philanthropy as a bridge between France and the United States, rooted in shared values of freedom, mutual admiration, and respect. “At its core, Friends of Fondation de France is about one thing: connection,” she said. “And today, anything that creates connection is essential.”
Reflecting on the importance of our connection with our non-profit partners, we were proud to highlight the many projects Friends of Fondation de France supports across all sectors of philanthropy: now totaling over 200! To capture this important moment and recognize all they do to make the world a better place — from music education to innovative medical treatments — we were proud to debut a special anniversary video capturing every project with us in this 25th anniversary year.
Throughout the evening, guests heard from voices across philanthropy and culture. Mohamed Bouabdallah, Cultural Counselor of France in the United States and Director of Villa Albertine, reflected on the role of cultural and educational exchange in sustaining deep ties between French and American people. In conversation with Myriam Gil, Deputy Consul General of France in New York, he shared plans for the Lafayette Scholarships, an inaugural program launching on July 4, 2026, to enable American students to study French in France — a fitting tribute to 250 years of friendship.
Later, a panel featuring Thomas Moore (American Friends of the Louvre), Thierry Chaunu (Le Souvenir Français), Jean-Christian Agid (Paris Brain Institute America, American Friends of Blérancourt), and Ophélie Bourhis (Agence Française de Développement) highlighted the many dimensions of French-American generosity, from cultural heritage to scientific collaboration.
Moderated by Domitille Marchal-Lemoine, Executive Director of Friends of Fondation de France, the conversation underscored not only the extraordinary generosity of U.S. donors, but also the importance of collaboration and common purpose in transforming generosity into truly transformative action. This spirit comes to life through shared projects that honor a long history of partnership — such as the restoration of the Hermione, the replica of the frigate that carried Lafayette across the Atlantic to announce French support for the American Revolution. Rooted in these enduring ties, today’s initiatives continue to show how philanthropy can preserve memory, advance knowledge, and strengthen bonds between communities.
The event brought together a remarkable audience of philanthropists, including major donors; representatives from global philanthropic institutions such as AFP and CAF America; leading New York organizations including Robin Hood; international NGOs like Médecins Sans Frontières USA; cultural partners such as American Friends of the Louvre; and French networks. Their presence reflected the breadth of partnerships that sustain French-American philanthropy today.
Experience the evening through pictures featured on our Anniversary Celebration page.
As the evening drew to a close, one theme was clear: the work of Friends of Fondation de France is, and has always been, about building connections. For 25 years, this mission has guided our efforts to help donors bring their generosity to life and to support French organizations in realizing their visions, together.
We are deeply thankful to all of our guests for sharing this special evening with us, and to all our donors and partners for your trust and commitment to French-American philanthropy. We look forward to another 25 years of connection, collaboration, and a shared vision for a more harmonious world.
With gratitude,
The Friends of Fondation de France Team
Domitille Marchal Lemoine, Executive Director
Barbora Tvrdik, Communications and Development
