As French-American philanthropy continues to grow, so do the opportunities to make a meaningful impact through international giving. For donors seeking innovative approaches to shared social challenges and new ways to uplift underserved communities, French-led nonprofits offer powerful avenues to put their values into action.
Friends of Fondation de France currently supports 22 social service and community-focused projects, each addressing urgent needs with creativity, compassion, and a deep commitment to human dignity.
In this season of gratitude, we celebrate the caretakers—mentors, educators, therapists, and volunteers—whose daily efforts nurture hope and opportunity in communities across France and beyond. Their work reminds us that even small acts of care have a large impact, transforming lives and strengthening society.
Read on to discover the social service initiatives U.S. donors can champion through Friends of Fondation de France.
Supporting Youth
Fondation Archery – Provides coaching, mentorship, and financial support for talented, underprivileged high school students, helping them achieve their full potential and build bright, rewarding futures.
Fondation Arkwood – Offers programs to integrate and empower young people facing social and economic hardship, fostering resilience and pathways to personal growth and professional development.
Gemmes – Empowers teachers to guide youth aged 12 to 18 in discussions on empathy, responsibility, social justice, and inclusion, providing training modules through its SPARKS program to help students turn reflection into community action.
Evocae – Supports students in their post-baccalaureate studies, offering guidance and resources to reorient those struggling to define their professional ambitions and navigate higher education successfully.
Expanding Access to Transformative Therapies
LOBA – Combines dance therapy with empowerment programs for women, addressing gender-based challenges and promoting emotional well-being.
Cheval Bleu – Provides equine-assisted therapy to children with behavioral or developmental difficulties, encouraging trust, confidence, and emotional regulation.
La Cense – Offers education programs that integrate equine mediation, fostering personal growth, responsibility, and self-awareness among young participants.
Le Rire Médecin – Brings humor and performance into hospitals, uplifting sick children through personalized clown performances and helping them find moments of joy and relief during difficult treatments.
Strengthening Communities, Locally and Globally
Fondation Lacoste – Uses sports, education, and environmental projects to engage youth and strengthen communities, promoting both personal growth and social responsibility.
OM Fondation – Treizième hOMme – Implements social and educational programs in Marseille, addressing inequalities and helping young people thrive through mentorship and community initiatives.
Fonds UNIAPAC – Works to reshape the role of business in society, encouraging ethical practices and a commitment to the common good.
Fondation Martin Bucer – Runs educational and social programs for young people in Rennes, supporting academic success and fostering civic engagement.
Ambition Saint-Denis – Develops social initiatives that empower residents in Saint-Denis, one of France’s youngest and most diverse cities, reducing inequalities and building stronger, more inclusive local communities.
Changing the Lives of the Marginalized
Entourage – Creates networks of support for socially isolated individuals, helping them rebuild connections and access opportunities for a more inclusive life.
Comme Les Autres – Offers sports-based programs for individuals with motor disabilities, promoting rehabilitation, self-confidence, and social integration.
Wake-Up Café – Supports formerly incarcerated individuals as they reintegrate into society, providing mentorship, training, and community connections.
Emmaüs Connect – Fights digital exclusion by providing technology access and training to vulnerable populations, opening doors to education, employment, and social engagement.
Cuisine Mode d’Emploi(s) – Trains disadvantaged individuals in culinary and baking arts, equipping them with practical skills for employment and renewed self-sufficiency.
Caring for the Most Fragile
Maison des 7 Vallées – Supports pregnant women experiencing hardship, offering practical assistance, emotional support, and guidance for a safe and empowered start to motherhood.
Fonds de Dotation Saint-Julien – Promotes intergenerational care programs, fostering connection, dignity, and mutual support across age groups.
Le Village Saint Joseph (Plounévez-Quintin) – Provides social reintegration programs that help vulnerable individuals regain independence and dignity.
Aide aux Jeunes Diabétiques – Offers psychosocial support to young people living with diabetes, helping them manage their condition while building resilience and confidence.
Support Social Service Projects
From youth empowerment to digital inclusion, therapeutic care, reintegration, and community renewal, these organizations show how French-American philanthropy strengthens the fabric of society. By supporting their work, U.S. donors help advance shared values of solidarity, opportunity, and dignity for all.
