As we approach National Philanthropy Day on November 15, we reflect on the enduring legacy of French-American generosity. From the Revolutionary War to today, this special relationship has stood strong both in decisive moments of need and through ongoing support, making impact across the arts, medical research, education, and beyond.
Philanthropy in France and the United States has evolved over time and grown together, as ideas and models have inspired new developments across the Atlantic. Explore a few key moments of this fascinating history with us, as we celebrate what French-American philanthropy has achieved and what we can accomplish together in the future.
What has shaped philanthropy in the United States and France?
In France, philanthropy was historically rooted in Catholic charity, but during the French Revolution in 1789, Enlightenment ideals reframed philanthropy as an aspirational personal virtue. Under Napoleon Bonaparte, privately-funded charitable initiatives flourished, led by forward-thinking elites. This was the beginning of a shift—from charity to a more structured, outcome-driven form of giving, focused on science, autonomy, and civic engagement.
From 1848 to World War I, philanthropy gradually gave way to solidarity, funded through taxation. As the French state took responsibility for social welfare—providing free medical assistance, workplace protections, and support for the elderly—philanthropic organizations turned their efforts toward other causes. These historic shifts continue to shape the landscape of modern philanthropy in France.
In the United States, philanthropy is often viewed as the domain of wealthy families or local religious institutions supporting the vulnerable. But this perspective is incomplete. American charitable traditions are longstanding and heavily influenced by European—especially English—law and religion. What was unique, however, was how early Americans organized their giving.
A key figure in this history is Benjamin Franklin, who played a central role in establishing French-American cooperation at the dawn of the American Revolution. His legacy would shape modern American philanthropy.
Equally inspired by French Enlightenment ideologies of reason, virtue, and civic improvement, Franklin asked a simple but transformative question:
Why shouldn’t everyday people organize themselves to create structures that benefit them, rather than rely on top-down patronage?
This question led to the first subscription-based lending library in Philadelphia, as well as the first volunteer fire company—made possible not by a single patron, but by many small contributions. Franklin advocated public-private partnerships, combining small individual donations with public funds, as seen in the founding of a Philadelphia hospital. His belief in the common good and the power of collaboration between citizens and government inspired modern community foundations.
Centuries later, Franklin’s vision influenced André Malraux, who—at General de Gaulle’s suggestion—created the Fondation de France in 1969 to unite and amplify all forms of philanthropy, following the American community foundation model. Today, Fondation de France is the largest private foundation in France, running its own programs and hosting thousands of charitable initiatives.
Guided by these ideals, French-American philanthropy has turned vision into reality, building iconic landmarks, fueling scientific discoveries, and preserving history. Let’s explore some of its most unforgettable achievements.
The Statue of Liberty
Next year, we will celebrate the 140th anniversary of the Statue of Liberty, a symbol of friendship between France and the United States.
The statue itself was a gift from the people of France, with most of the copper sculpture funded by individual French citizens. The pedestal, however, was paid for by American donors, thanks to an innovative campaign led by newspaper publisher Joseph Pulitzer.
In France, over 180 municipalities contributed, as well as thousands of schoolchildren—an early example of crowdfunding. In the U.S., the statue’s torch was displayed in Philadelphia and New York to generate excitement and donations. Pulitzer’s campaign promised to publish the name of every donor, no matter how small. This appealed to millions of Americans, including countless schoolchildren who donated pennies. His efforts succeeded, and by August 1885, the final funds were secured.
This incredible binational effort is a powerful example of how philanthropy transcends borders.
Marie Curie and the Radium Fund
Another example is Marie Curie, who in 1921 was invited to the U.S. to receive one gram of radium, presented by President Warren G. Harding, following a fundraising campaign led by American women.
At the time, the cost of one gram of radium was $100,000—about $1.3 million today. The funds she needed were raised in under a year, and additional money was used to create fellowships for women in science.
During her visit, Curie emphasized that she and her husband chose not to patent radium or its medical uses, despite the potential profits. “We have done right,” she said. Thanks to this act of generosity—from her and from the donors—radium remained accessible for the benefit of all.
Rebuilding Notre-Dame Cathedral: A Legacy of U.S. Giving for French Heritage Monuments
In more recent years, philanthropy has once again played a critical role. After the Notre-Dame fire in 2019, over €850 million was raised for reconstruction—7.3% of it from American donors. Friends of Fondation de France was one of only three organizations authorized to fundraise in the U.S. for its restoration.
American philanthropy has a long tradition of preserving French cultural heritage, particularly through major donors. After World War I, John D. Rockefeller donated $3 million to restore Versailles, Fontainebleau, and Reims Cathedral, nearly $50 million today. The Carnegie family were also major supporters of the Reims Cathedral. This support was essential in ensuring these treasured monuments could live on for future generations.
Restoring the Hermione Frigate
The Hermione frigate, known as the “Frigate of Freedom”, was the ship that brought Lafayette to America in 1780 to announce France’s support for the Revolutionary war. A replica of the vessel was built in Rochefort, France, after a transatlantic fundraising effort.
The Hermione sailed to the U.S. in 2015, retracing Lafayette’s historic journey. But in 2021, inspections revealed structural damage due to a destructive fungus. To restore and sail the ship again, we need to raise $5 million, as $5 million has already been raised. The goal 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. While time is short, this project is a perfect example of the legacy French American philanthropy can build!
The Role of Friends of Fondation de France
Since 2000, Friends of Fondation de France has facilitated French-American philanthropy. As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, we offer U.S.-based donors the opportunity to make tax-deductible contributions to over 200 pre-approved projects in France, spanning cultural, scientific, educational, and humanitarian sectors. Additionally, we support French nonprofits in growing their mission by connecting with their U.S. supporters.
We are thankful to all of our donors for helping us further our mission of advancing French-American philanthropy, and for your dedication to French-American friendship. As we celebrate these iconic projects, the partnership between France and the United States in philanthropy remains a testament to shared values and mutual respect. As we face today’s global challenges, such as climate change, health disparities, and cultural preservation, the transatlantic collaboration between our countries continues to inspire and lead by example.
Learn more about the projects we support here.
