Friends of the Workshop Foundation

What Friends of the Workshop Foundation does

The Fondation des Amis de l'Atelier (Friends of the Workshop Foundation) is a French non-profit foundation recognized as being of public utility, founded in 1957 in Châtenay-Malabry by Anne Sommermeyer to support children with mental disabilities. Operating under French medico-social regulations, it today delivers services through approximately 100 establishments, services, and devices across Île-de-France (departments 75, 77, 78, 91, 92, 93, 94, 95) and Haute-Vienne, supported by 2,500 professionals who accompany more than 4,000 people with mental, psychic, or autism spectrum disabilities annually. The foundation has evolved from a single 18m² day-garden ("La Nichée") into a comprehensive care network spanning children (IME, ITEP, SESSAD), work integration (ESAT, Plateforme Insertion & Hanploi, Club Hanployeurs), residential care (MAS, FAM, EANM, Résidences Accueil), and supported living (Habitat Inclusif, DHALIA, SAVS, SAMSAH, GEM), and also operates the CFA Égalité apprenticeship training center.

The foundation's core technology is its integrated network of physical and human-service infrastructure rather than software: a portfolio of legally distinct establishment types (ESAT, MAS, FAM, IME, etc.) each operating under regulated CPOM-style funding frameworks, with beneficiaries referred via MDPH/CDAPH orientation. It runs a vocational training center (CFA Égalité) accredited with Qualiopi certification since February 2025, several inter-organizational consortium projects (DHALIA, GLORIA), and a territorial coordination service (Communauté 360). Digital infrastructure is limited to standard web analytics and content tools.

The business model is a hybrid public-private non-profit structure. The dominant revenue stream is public funding from the French State, CPAM, Departmental Councils, and local authorities, allocated per-beneficiary under medico-social tariffs, funding the bulk of facility operations. A second stream comes from private donations, legacy gifts, and corporate patronage, which underwrite exceptional projects and capacity expansion (donations are tax-deductible under French defiscalisation rules). ESAT production revenue (laundry, green spaces, carpentry, restaurant, office services, packaging) and CFA Égalité apprenticeship funding form smaller revenue lines. Pricing for beneficiaries is means-tested, with MAS fees covered by health insurance for CSS holders and accommodation costs in FH/FV/FAM covered via departmental social assistance. The foundation is governed by a Board of Directors (Conseil d'Administration), with Pierre-Yves Lenen as Directeur Général and Bertrand Vergniol as President since June 2026.

Name

Friends of the Workshop Foundation

Legal name

Fondation des Amis de l'Atelier

Website

https://fondation-amisdelatelier.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1957

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1,001–5,000 employees

Short description

The Fondation des Amis de l'Atelier is a French non-profit foundation operating ~100 medico-social establishments across Île-de-France and Haute-Vienne, employing 2,500 professionals to support 4,000+ people with mental, psychic, and autism spectrum disabilities.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Disability Care Services

NAICS

Residential Intellectual and Developmental Disability Facilities (62321), Residential Intellectual and Developmental Disability, Mental Health, and Substance Abuse Facilities (6232), Other Residential Care Facilities (623990), Services for the Elderly and Persons with Disabilities (624120), Individual and Family Services (6241), Vocational Rehabilitation Services (624310)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Nursing & Personal Care Facilities (8050), Services-Home Health Care Services (8082), Services-Misc Health & Allied Services, Nec (8090)

akta.pro primary industry

Specialized Assisted Living for Developmental/Intellectual Disabilities (Adult) (HLADABAJ)

akta.pro secondary industries

Behavioral Health–Capable Assisted Living (Mental Health/SUD Support) (HLADABAI), Respite Care for Adults with Disabilities / Special Needs (HSABAGAI), Skilled Home Health Aide Services (HHA/CNA under Skilled Plan of Care) (HLADAFAF), Disability Services & Assistive Solutions (Accessibility, Assistive Tech) (BPAGALAM)

Keywords

• Disability support services
• Social and medico-social care
• Specialized work establishments
• Supported housing services
• Vocational rehabilitation

Headquarters

HQ city

Châtenay-malabry

HQ country

France

HQ region

Europe

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Public Funding: Financing from the State, Primary Health Insurance Fund (CPAM), Departmental Councils, and Local Authorities. Core funding mechanism for establishments and services.
2. Private Donations: Private financing through donations, donations, legacy gifts, and corporate patronage. Used to create new places, realize exceptional projects, and ensure sustainable accompaniment.
3. ESAT Production Revenue: ESAT establishments provide services to individuals and businesses in areas including laundry, conditioning, green spaces, carpentry, restaurant, office services, and more. Revenue from these commercial activities supports operations.
4. Vocational Training: CFA Égalité apprenticeship center generates revenue through training programs. Funded by apprenticeship tax and professional development funds.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels7 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

The Fondation des Amis de l'Atelier is a nonprofit foundation recognized as being of public utility that operates approximately 100 establishments, services, and devices across Île-de-France and Haute-Vienne, providing social and medico-social support to more than 4,000 people with mental, psychic, or autism spectrum disabilities. Its offerings span sheltered employment (ESAT), residential care (MAS, FAM, EANM), supported housing (Résidences Accueil, Habitat Inclusif), daytime activities, medical-educational institutes for children, caregiver respite platforms, and an apprenticeship training center (CFA Égalité).

Product overview

Friends of the Workshop Foundation operates a comprehensive portfolio of approximately 100 establishments, services, and devices across Île-de-France and Haute-Vienne, supporting over 4,000 people with mental, psychic, or autism spectrum disabilities. The foundation's offerings include: ESAT (work assistance establishments) providing vocational activities and employment support; residential facilities (MAS, FAM, EANM, Résidences Accueil) offering varying levels of care; daytime services (CAJ, SESSAD, IME, ITEP) for children and adults; and community-based support (SAVS, SAMSAH, GEM). Specialized programs include Habitat Inclusif for independent grouped housing, DHALIA for inclusive housing support, Plateforme Insertion & Hanploi for professional integration, HANDI RÉPIT for caregiver respite, and CFA Égalité for apprenticeship training. The foundation's services follow a progression from 24/7 residential care to fully independent living, with each product designed to meet specific needs along the disability support continuum.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• ESAT (Établissements et Services d'Accompagnement par le Travail) Sheltered work establishments providing vocational activities and adapted employment for adults with disabilities, while also offering subcontracted services to businesses (laundry, green spaces, carpentry, restaurant, packaging, office services).
• MAS (Maisons d'Accueil Spécialisées) Specialized residential facilities for adults with mental and/or psychic disabilities requiring permanent support for daily activities and constant medical care, with fees covered by health insurance for those with complementary solidarity health insurance (CSS).
• FAM (Foyers d'Accueil Médicalisés) Medicalized residential facilities for adults with disabilities who are unable to work and require daily support and medical supervision.
• EANM (Établissements d'Accueil Non Médicalisés) Non-medicalized residential facilities including hostels and life foyers for adults with disabilities who work in sheltered or ordinary environments.
• Résidences Accueil Supported housing facilities (pensions de famille) for people with psychic disabilities offering independent apartments with daily support from host couples.
• Habitat Inclusif Inclusive housing program offering grouped private apartments with shared common spaces, promoting mutual aid among residents with professional support for people with mental, psychic, or autism spectrum disabilities.
• SAVS (Services d'Accompagnement à la Vie Sociale) Social life support services helping adults with disabilities maintain or restore family, social, and professional links while supporting independent living at home.
• SAMSAH (Service d'Accompagnement Médico-Social pour Adultes Handicapés) Medical-social support services for adults with disabilities providing home-based assistance with essential daily activities alongside medical and paramedical care.
• IME (Instituts Médico-Éducatifs) Medical-educational institutes for children and adolescents with intellectual disabilities or autism spectrum disorders requiring specialized educational support and care.
• SESSAD (Services d'Éducation Spéciale et de Soins à Domicile) Specialized education and home care services supporting children with autism spectrum disorders in mainstream school settings.
• ITEP (Instituts Thérapeutiques Éducatifs et Pédagogiques) Therapeutic educational institutes for children and adolescents aged 6-18 with behavioral disorders, combining therapeutic, pedagogical, and educational support.
• CAJ (Centres d'Accueil de Jour) Day centers providing daily reception for people with disabilities, offering cultural, sporting, and leisure activities to maintain autonomy and social inclusion.
• GEM (Groupes d'Entraide Mutuelle) Mutual aid groups providing welcoming spaces for people in psychological fragility or disability to combat isolation and rebuild social connections, accessible without requiring CDAPH orientation.
• CFA Égalité

Named customers5 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration8 records

Partnerships

13 partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• AFEC (Groupe AFEC)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerTraining organization partner for CFA Égalité, providing theoretical training for aide-soignant programs. The partnership enables external training while CFA manages administrative support and enterprise-based practical training.
• Jeanne BlumminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerTraining organization partner for aide-soignant theoretical training at CFA Égalité.
• Assiste FormationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerTraining organization partner for aide-soignant theoretical training at CFA Égalité.
• EFPPminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerTraining organization partner for Accompagnement Éducatif et Social programs at CFA Égalité.
• CPCVminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerTraining organization partner for Accompagnement Éducatif et Social programs at CFA Égalité.
• IRTS (Institut Régional du Travail Social)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerTraining organization partner for Accompagnement Éducatif et Social and Moniteur Éducateur programs at CFA Égalité.
• IRTS ParmentierminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerTraining organization partner for Éducateur Spécialisé program at CFA Égalité.
• EPIDEminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerInstitutional partner for CFA Égalité, supporting professional integration pathways.
• AGEFIPHcoreOthersAssociation managing professional inclusion of disabled workers in France. Companies with 20+ employees can reduce up to 50% of their annual AGEFIPH contribution by using ESAT services.
• Communauté 360coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTerritorial accompaniment communities part of national 360 project launched Feb 2020. Involves cooperation between all medical-social establishments, public authorities, MDPH, and associations. Foundation is signatory of engagement convention.
• Club Hanployeurs membersminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorNetwork of employers committed to disability inclusion. Members participate in DuoDay and Duo2 programs and receive support for supported employment.
• DHALIA consortium partnersminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerInter-establishment consortium including SAMSAH Sud Seine-et-Marne and FAM de Villemer working together on inclusive housing development.
• GLORIA project with factory partnerminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSince 2021, partnership with a factory for employment and housing insertion project in ordinary work environment.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves16 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Others

• Fondation de France: Leading French philanthropic umbrella that redistributes donations to vetted nonprofits, including those serving disability populations. Relevant as a peer funder/ecosystem participant that interfaces with the Foundation's donor base.
• AGEFIPH: French association managing the professional inclusion of disabled workers — a core regulatory and funding partner for the Foundation's ESAT activities and Plateforme Insertion & Hanploi. Ecosystem participant rather than operator peer.

Direct peers

• APF France Handicap: Major French disability NGO providing services across physical, mental and sensory disabilities nationally. Highly comparable to the Foundation as a multipurpose operator of residential, day, and inclusion services funded through French public mechanisms.
• UNAPEI: National federation of French associations supporting people with intellectual disabilities and their families. Comparable population (mental/IDD) and service typology (ESAT equivalents, residential homes, day activities) under the same public funding regime.
• Fondation OVE: French non-profit foundation operating residential and day services for children and adults with disabilities and psychique conditions. Comparable operating model, scale (multi-establishment) and reliance on public medico-social tariffs.
• ADAPEI: Network of departmental French associations serving people with intellectual disabilities through ESAT, MAS, FAM and IME services. Closely comparable mission, regulatory exposure and beneficiary mix.
• Fondation Apprentis d'Auteuil: Recognized French public-utility foundation operating social, educational and care services for vulnerable youth and families. Shares the reconnue d'utilité publique status, governance structure (referenced in board member's bio) and French public-funding model, though its primary beneficiary population differs.

Regional players

• Fondation Korian pour le Bien Vieillir: French corporate foundation supporting elderly and disability inclusion projects. Comparable reconnue d'utilité publique nonprofit model and French public-utility orientation, though focused more on aging than mental/psychique disability.

Broad incumbents

• Croix-Rouge française: Largest French humanitarian organization with a broad social-action portfolio including disability, elderly care and inclusion services. Comparable public-utility nonprofit model but serves a much wider population beyond disability.
• Groupe Vyv: French mutual health and social protection group operating care, home-help and disability establishments through its branche Vyv3. Comparable operator of medico-social services funded via French social-protection channels, but with a broader health-and-insurance mandate.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/fondation_amis
• Facebookfacebook.com/fondationdesamisdelatelier

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles16 records

Subsidiaries9 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

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

Frequently asked questions about Friends of the Workshop Foundation