Secours Catholique-France

What Secours Catholique-France does

Secours Catholique-Caritas France is a French non-profit association (loi 1901) recognized of public utility, founded in 1946 and celebrating its 80th anniversary in 2026. Its mission is to combat poverty and social exclusion in France and internationally. Operationally, the organization runs a national field network of 72 local delegations and 3,500 local teams across metropolitan France and overseas territories, supported by approximately 894 paid employees and 59,800 volunteers — described as the largest volunteer workforce of any French association. It serves roughly 3.5 million beneficiaries per year through thematic programs covering homelessness and poor housing, mobility, employment, migrant support, family and childhood, social link, dignified food access, incarcerated persons, access-to-rights, and international solidarity. Internationally, it is a member of the Caritas Internationalis network, through which it supports 349 emergency and development projects across 52 countries.

The technology layer supporting this work is deliberately modest. The association's public-facing properties run on a Drupal CMS, with donations processed through the iRaiser platform supporting card payments, Apple Pay, PayPal, instant SEPA transfer, IBAN/BIC and cheque. Google Analytics and Google advertising cookies are used for audience measurement and ad personalization, with cookie consent managed via a consent banner (13-month retention). There is no proprietary software product, no public API, no mobile app, and no disclosed AI/ML capability. The digital estate is a means of donor acquisition and content distribution rather than a core product surface.

Funding comes almost entirely from individual donors, who represent 80% of financial resources, supported by a 75% French income-tax deduction (up to €2,000 through 2027, then 66% within 20% of taxable income, with 5-year carry-forward). Secondary streams include legacies and bequests (enabled by recognized-of-public-utility status), corporate mécénat (financial, skills-based, in-kind, employee mobilization — eligible for a 60% tax reduction), and IFI real-estate-wealth-tax giving routed through Fondation Caritas France (75% reduction up to €50,000). Governance is anchored by an elected president serving a three-year term whose candidacy must be approved by the Permanent Council of the French Bishops' Conference, reflecting the organization's status as a service of the Catholic Church — although it welcomes beneficiaries and volunteers of all cultures and beliefs.

Name

Secours Catholique-France

Legal name

Secours Catholique-Caritas France

Website

https://secours-catholique.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1946

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

501–1,000 employees

Short description

Secours Catholique-Caritas France is a French non-profit association (loi 1901) recognized of public utility, running 72 delegations and 3,500 volunteer-led teams to combat poverty and social exclusion for 3.5 million beneficiaries annually in France and across 52 countries via the Caritas Internationalis network.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Humanitarian and social services

NAICS

Emergency and Other Relief Services (624230), Civic and Social Organizations (813410), Social Advocacy Organizations (8133)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Cash & Voucher Assistance (CVA) and Emergency Livelihood Support (BPAGAAAJ)

akta.pro secondary industries

Refugee, Migration & Displacement Support (BPAGABAH), International & Local Implementing NGOs (HLAJAKAD)

Keywords

• Humanitarian aid services
• Poverty relief programs
• Charitable donation management
• Social reintegration support
• Emergency response coordination

Headquarters

HQ city

Paris

HQ country

France

HQ region

Europe

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Individual donations (one-time and recurring): Voluntary donations from the public, made either as a single contribution or via recurring direct debit. Donors represent 80% of financial resources. Donations benefit from a 75% income tax reduction up to €2,000 (then 66% within 20% of taxable income, with 5-year carry-forward).
2. Legacies and bequests (legs et donations): Testamentary gifts including universal legacies (entire estate), universal-in-part legacies, and specific legacies, as well as lifetime donations (full ownership, co-ownership, reserved usufruct, temporary usufruct, succession donation). Authorized by the association's 'reconnu d'utilité publique' (recognized of public utility) status.
3. Corporate patronage / mécénat d'entreprise: Corporate giving through financial support, skills sponsorship (mécénat de compétence), in-kind donations, and employee mobilization. Entitles donors to a 60% tax reduction within 0.5% of turnover or €20,000 (whichever applies).
4. IFI tax-based giving to Fondation Caritas France: Real estate wealth tax (IFI) converted into donations to Fondation Caritas France, providing a 75% reduction up to €50,000 (a €50,000 deduction corresponds to a €66,000 donation).

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion4 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

Secours Catholique-Caritas France is a non-profit association (loi 1901) recognized of public utility that delivers direct humanitarian, social, and emergency aid to people in precarious situations in France and abroad. Through a network of 72 delegations and 3,500 local teams staffed by 59,800 volunteers, it runs thematic programs covering homelessness, mobility, employment, migrant support, family and childhood, food insecurity, social link, incarcerated persons, and international solidarity. It also collects donations, legacies, and corporate mécénat (with French tax reduction benefits) to fund 349 projects across 52 countries via the Caritas Internationalis network.

Product overview

Secours Catholique-Caritas France is a not-for-profit charitable association (loi 1901) recognized of public utility, operating as a single integrated humanitarian organization rather than a software platform. Its offering is structured around thematic action programs: Sans-abri et mal-logés, Mobilité, Emploi, Migrants, Famille et enfance, Aide et accès aux droits, Lien social, Alimentation digne, Personnes détenues, and Nos actions dans le monde (international solidarity across 349 projects in 52 countries). Under these themes sit named sub-programs and field services such as Solidarauto 37 (solidarity garage), the Fraternibus mobile outreach bus, Accompagnement à la scolarité (school support), the Boutique solidaire (online solidarity shop), and the Urgences France emergency response teams. The digital layer supporting these programs includes the iRaiser-powered online donation platform, an institutional website (secours-catholique.org), a donor space, and content publication channels (newsletter, podcasts, publications).

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Fondation Caritas France: Foundation entity receiving IFI (real estate wealth tax) donations and supporting the association's charitable mission.

Products and services

• Sans-abri et mal-logés (Homeless and poorly housed program) Action priority supporting people experiencing homelessness and poor housing conditions across France through day shelters, mobile outreach teams (maraudes), and housing reintegration support.
• Mobilité (Mobility program) Action priority providing mobility support to people in precarious situations, including solidarity garages (e.g., Solidarauto 37), reduced-cost driving schools, scooter and bicycle rentals, and solidarity transport services.
• Emploi (Employment program) Action priority providing job-seeking assistance, return-to-employment workshops, and individualized employment coaching through local volunteer teams.
• Migrants (Migrant support program) Action priority providing support to migrants in France, including accompaniment, access to rights, integration support, and cultural exchange initiatives.
• Famille et enfance (Family and childhood program) Action priority supporting families and children, including vacation hosting programs (accueil familial de vacances), school accompaniment (accompagnement à la scolarité), and family houses (e.g., Maison des familles de Grenoble).
• Aide et accès aux droits (Aid and access to rights program) Action priority helping beneficiaries access their administrative and social rights, including support with paperwork, legal assistance, and referrals to social services.
• Lien social (Social bond program) Action priority focused on combating social isolation through communal meals, shared gardens, cultural activities, and inclusive sports sessions (e.g., Grandes tablées, Bénévolat).
• Alimentation digne (Dignified food program) Action priority fighting food insecurity and promoting dignified access to food, including solidarity grocery stores (épiceries sociales) and food aid distribution.
• Personnes détenues (Incarcerated persons program) Action priority providing support to incarcerated persons, including reintegration support, family connection, and post-release follow-up.
• Nos actions dans le monde (International solidarity program) International development and emergency action supporting partners across more than 349 emergency and development projects in 52 countries, implemented through the Caritas Internationalis network.
• Solidarauto 37 (solidarity garage) A solidarity garage opened in May 2018 in Joué-lès-Tours (Indre-et-Loire) offering vehicle repair at €45/hour (vs. €75/hour standard rate) and resale of donated vehicles at approximately €2,000; co-located with Mobilité Emploi 37 for scooter/bike rental (€2/day) and reduced-cost driving lessons (€350).
• Accompagnement à la scolarité (School support program) Individual educational support program pairing volunteers with children (ages 7-10 in primary schools) experiencing learning difficulties, including dyslexia and French-language acquisition for non-francophone families; includes one-on-one tutoring, group games, and eco-citizenship activities in a shared garden.
• Boutique solidaire (Solidarity shop) Online solidarity shop selling fair-trade and ethically sourced products to support the organization's actions.
• Online donation platform Online donation system accepting one-time and recurring gifts with French tax reduction (75% within €2,000 limit through 2027, 66% above); supports donor accounts, multiple payment methods (card, Apple Pay, PayPal, instant bank transfer, cheque), and gift transmission via legacies and donations; powered by iRaiser.
• Fraternibus (mobile solidarity bus) Mobile solidarity unit deployed to reach isolated individuals in popular neighborhoods (e.g., square de la Bourdonnay in Vannes, Villeneuve d'Ascq university campus) to break individual and collective isolation through informal social contact.

Quantifiable outcome

• Helps approximately 3.5 million people in need in France and worldwide each year
• +7 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments7 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration3 records

Feature2 records

Partnerships

23 partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, core and minor.

• Caritas InternationalisflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerSecours Catholique-Caritas France is a member of the Caritas Internationalis network, the largest network of humanitarian organisations in the world. This membership anchors its international work, allowing it to support 349 emergency and development projects across 52 countries via local Caritas partners.
• Conférence des Évêques de France (Conseil permanent)flagshipOthersThe association is a service of the Catholic Church; the candidacy of its president, elected for 3 years by the board, must be approved by the Conseil permanent de la Conférence des Évêques de France. An aumônier général ensures the spiritual dimension of actions.
• Caritas Bukavu (RDC)coreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerLocal Caritas partner supporting populations affected by the war in South Kivu (RDC) amid an acute humanitarian crisis; delivers frontline emergency assistance on behalf of Secours Catholique.
• Caritas JérusalemflagshipImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerLocal partner delivering primary, maternal, child, and mental health services to civilians in Gaza, with financial support for basic needs (prices having doubled). Also present in Jerusalem and the West Bank.
• Caritas MONA (Moyen-Orient Afrique du Nord)flagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegional Caritas coordination based in Beirut; coordinates emergency response in Lebanon (Beirut, Bekaa, Tripoli, Saïda) distributing mattresses, blankets, hygiene kits and hot meals, and calls for ceasefire.
• Caritas Antsirabé (Madagascar)coreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerLocal partner combating extreme poverty by training young people and accompanying suffering communities in Madagascar.
• Caritas ArméniennecoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerLocal partner sensitizing Armenian migrant workers about their rights before their departure to Russia, where legislation threatens workers' rights.
• Institut latino-américain d'agroécologie amazonienne (Brésil)coreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerPartner promoting more virtuous agriculture in northern Brazil to prevent youth out-migration.
• CSAPR (Tchad)coreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerPartner leading dialogue actions to foster 'vivre-ensemble' in a tense political context in Chad.
• Hope (Liban)coreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerLebanese peace-building NGO supported since 2018; runs the Beit Salam community center in Tripoli with 56 women from different communities (Lebanese, Palestinian refugees, Syrian refugees) across 4 groups.
• PHRI - Physicians for Human Rights IsraelflagshipImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerIsraeli NGO supported by Secours Catholique, operating for 26 years for the right to health of all communities under Israeli responsibility; deploys mobile clinics (7–10 doctors) twice a week in West Bank villages and treats 300–500 patients/day.
• Al Haq (Palestinian human rights NGO)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPalestinian NGO documenting human-rights violations in Gaza to demonstrate war crimes and genocide, supported by Secours Catholique for advocacy against impunity before the ICC and UN.
• Eco Habitat (réseau)coreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerNetwork jointly fighting energy precariousness by facilitating thermal renovation of housing for very modest owners; in tandem with Secours Catholique teams in Picardy who identify and accompany beneficiary families (e.g., Denis in Coudun, ~€25,000 of works).
• Croix-Rouge françaisecoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerThe Croix-Rouge health truck parks at Secours Catholique premises in Bourg-en-Bresse to offer coffee, social link, and access to a doctor for people in precarious situations.
• Cités Caritas (CHRS Cité Notre-Dame, Paris)minorOthersAffiliated housing operator (CHRS) cited as a partner that organized a seaside vacation for residents at Gouville-sur-Mer in summer 2023.
• Solidarauto 37 (Joué-lès-Tours)coreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerSolidarity garage co-located with Mobilité Emploi 37; offers repairs at €45/hour (vs. €75) and sells donated cars at average €2,000. In 2018, 43 of 122 recovered vehicles were sold. Partner network includes BGE Touraine (microcredit), Wimoov (mobility assessment), Conseil départemental d'Indre-et-Loire.
• BGE TourainecoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerMicrocredit partner advancing funds for vehicle purchases at Solidarauto 37; unlocks access to credit for clients who could not obtain it alone.
• WimoovcoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerMobility assessment partner performing pre-purchase mobility diagnostics with beneficiaries referred to Solidarauto.
• Don en ConfianceflagshipOthersIndependent control body for associations calling on public generosity. Secours Catholique holds the 'Don en Confiance' agrément, committing to principles of transparency, rigor, and effectiveness.
• iRaisercoreTechnology or IntegrationDonation platform powering the online giving flow at don.secours-catholique.org. Supports CB, Apple Pay, PayPal, instant SEPA via French banks, IBAN/BIC, cheque, with secure (SSL) payment processing.
• Collectif #PouruneEuropeSolidairecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCoalition of associations fighting against poverty (including Secours Catholique) advocating an ecological and social European policy shift.
• Iglesias y Minería (Amérique latine)minorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerPartner organizing theological reflection groups in Latin America to mobilize for environmental defense against extractivism.
• Collectif Vacances & familles (Bretagne)minorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerCo-organizer of family vacation stays for families in precarious situations, e.g., on Île-Tudy (Brittany) and Gouville-sur-Mer (Normandy).

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Croix-Rouge française: France's largest humanitarian organization, operating emergency response, social support, and health programs nationally. Directly comparable as a large loi 1901 association with volunteer-driven delivery and recognized of public utility status; crosses with Secours Catholique through joint programs (e.g., health truck in Bourg-en-Bresse).
• Fondation de France: France's largest philanthropic foundation, supporting 10,000+ projects annually through donor-advised funds and field foundations. Comparable on recognized-of-public-utility status, donor stewardship, and multi-cause charitable mission; operates as a meta-foundation distributing funds rather than direct service provider.

Direct peers

• Emmaüs France: Federation of French Emmaüs associations focused on poverty relief, social inclusion, and solidarity economy (second-hand markets, housing). Directly comparable non-profit model addressing similar vulnerable populations with volunteer-driven grassroots delivery, though focused more on solidarity economy than humanitarian action.
• Restos du Cœur: Founded by Coluche in 1985, France's most recognized food-aid charity, distributing meals and supporting people in precarious situations. Comparable volunteer-driven French association with similar donor base and beneficiary segments; focused on food insecurity while Secours Catholique is broader in scope.
• Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF): French-founded international medical humanitarian organization operating emergency medical programs in conflict and disaster zones. Comparable on international humanitarian footprint (52 countries) and Caritas-network-style partner model, but specialized in medical care rather than multi-sectoral poverty relief.
• Action contre la Faim (ACF): French-founded international humanitarian organization fighting hunger and malnutrition. Comparable on French NGO model, international footprint, donor base, and reconnue d'utilité publique status; focused on food security while Secours Catholique covers broader social services.
• ATD Quart Monde: French anti-poverty movement founded by Father Joseph Wresinski, focused on extreme poverty and social exclusion. Comparable loi 1901 association with grassroots volunteer teams addressing similar vulnerable populations; particularly aligned on accompaniment and access-to-rights programs.
• Fondation Abbé Pierre: French foundation combating substandard housing and homelessness ('mal-logement'). Comparable on homeless/housing programs and advocacy for precarious populations in France; smaller scope than Secours Catholique but operates within the same donor market.
• Oxfam France: French branch of the Oxfam confederation, fighting poverty and inequality through development, humanitarian, and advocacy programs. Comparable as a large French NGO with international operations, public-utility status, and individual donor base; secular counterpart to Secours Catholique's faith-rooted mission.

Regional players

• Caritas Internationalis: Global confederation of 162 Catholic relief, development, and social service organizations headquartered in Vatican City. Comparable as Secours Catholique's parent network affiliation, with which it shares operational model and beneficiary segment, but functions as a coordinating umbrella rather than direct service provider.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/caritasfrance
• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/SecoursCathTV
• Facebookfacebook.com/Secours.Catholique.Caritas.france
• LinkedInfr.linkedin.com/company/secours-catholique-france
• TikToktiktok.com/@caritasfrance

Compliance4 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Secours Catholique-France