Groupe ESC Clermont Foundation: All About Philanthropy

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Supporting a cause, transforming your community, and working toward a fairer world—philanthropy is a powerful tool for individuals and companies to make a meaningful impact. In this article, the Groupe ESC Clermont Foundation helps you understand the stakes and opportunities of philanthropy.

What is Philanthropy?

Philanthropy is, above all, a selfless commitment driven by individuals and companies wishing to support initiatives that serve the public good. This support can take the form of contributions to educational, cultural, social, or environmental projects. By engaging in philanthropy, everyone can take concrete action for causes close to their hearts and create lasting impact within their community.

Here are the three main forms of philanthropy in France:

Financial Philanthropy: This involves providing direct monetary support to associations or projects. It is the most common form and essential for helping local initiatives emerge or grow.
Skills-Based Philanthropy: This type of philanthropy involves sharing expertise, skills, or working hours to help organizations achieve their goals. It is particularly valuable for projects requiring technical or professional knowledge.
In-Kind Philanthropy: This consists of donating physical goods or services (such as equipment, facilities, or supplies) that can be directly used in the supported initiatives.

Philanthropy vs. Sponsorship: What’s the Difference?

Philanthropy and sponsorship are often confused. While both involve supporting initiatives, their objectives and implications differ. Understanding these differences is essential for choosing the right engagement strategy.

Philanthropy is a selfless act motivated by the desire to support a cause of public interest without expecting a direct return. Its primary aim is to create a positive societal impact by contributing to high-value projects that benefit the common good.
Sponsorship, on the other hand, has a commercial purpose. Companies sponsor to gain increased visibility or a return on investment through benefits such as promoting their brand or products. This approach aligns more closely with marketing strategies than with acts of generosity.

The Clermont School of Business Foundation is available to guide you in exploring these distinctions and integrating philanthropy into your corporate social responsibility initiatives or personal projects.

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A Lever for Local and Lasting Impact

In 2024, the Foundation redefined its strategic priorities to better address the needs of its community. Its mission includes actively participating in the environmental and social transformation of the region, supporting civic initiatives, and promoting societal and environmental projects led by various associations, including student groups.

For the Foundation, philanthropy is a vital tool for strengthening local networks and supporting initiatives that enrich daily life. It directly contributes to:

Energizing local life by fostering the implementation of social, economic, and cultural projects.
Reducing social inequalities by supporting initiatives aimed at vulnerable populations (particularly students).
Supporting entrepreneurial projects with societal and/or environmental impact within the region.

Did You Know?

Giving is not only a way to create positive change in society but also comes with significant tax benefits in France:

For Individuals:

66% of the donation amount can be deducted from income tax, up to 20% of taxable income. Any excess can be carried over for the next five years.
For real estate wealth tax (IFI): 75% of the donation amount can be deducted, with a cap of €50,000 in tax reduction.

For Companies:

60% of the donation amount is deductible from corporate taxes, up to €20,000 or 0.5% of annual revenue. Excess amounts can also be carried over for five years.

The Groupe ESC Clermont Foundation encourages you to take advantage of these opportunities to support causes of public interest while optimizing your tax benefits.

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