Decathlon Foundation

What Decathlon Foundation does

Decathlon Foundation (Fondation Decathlon) is a French corporate non-profit foundation created in 2005 and headquartered in Marcq-en-Barœul, France, by and for employees of parent company Decathlon. Its mission is to make the benefits of sport accessible to people in vulnerable situations, operating three program verticals aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals: inclusion of youth in fragile situations, empowerment of girls and women, and sport/physical activity for people with illnesses or disabilities.

The foundation does not sell products or commercial services. Instead, it provides grants covering sports equipment, construction and renovation of sports facilities, training, scholarships, operating costs (coach and educator salaries), and communication/awareness actions to qualifying non-profit partner associations. Projects must be sustainable (duration over one year), focus on vulnerable populations, and operate only in countries where Decathlon has a presence. Proposals follow a structured four-step process—submission, matching with Decathlon employee volunteers (coequipiers), dossier preparation with foundation support, and Board of Directors approval.

Operationally, the foundation runs with a small core team of approximately six staff (a Director, regional project managers for Europe, France, International, and Americas/Asia/Africa, plus local representatives), drawing on 10,000+ Decathlon employee volunteers worldwide. Over 20 years it has funded 1,000 projects across 53 countries, reaching 900,000 beneficiaries, with named flagship partners including Sport dans la Ville, Lazare, Miratus, APERCIM, Formavida, Make Life Skate Life, Juste pour Eux, and Fondation PSG. Revenue is funded through Decathlon corporate contributions and is not publicly disclosed.

Name

Decathlon Foundation

Legal name

Fondation Decathlon

Website

https://fondationdecathlon.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2005

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Decathlon Foundation is a French corporate non-profit, founded in 2005, that funds sport-based social impact projects for vulnerable youth, women, and people with disabilities across 53 countries, leveraging Decathlon employee volunteers and partner NGOs.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Sports Philanthropy / Charitable Foundation Programs

NAICS

Grantmaking Foundations (813211), Voluntary Health Organizations (813212), Grantmaking and Giving Services (81321)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Sports Fundraising & Development Services (Foundations, NIL Collectives Support) (MPAKAKAK)

akta.pro secondary industries

Disability & Adaptive Sports Organizations (Paralympic, Special Olympics) (MPAKACAH), Athletics Fundraising, Sponsorships & NIL Support (EDALAIAN)

Keywords

• Sports philanthropy
• Charitable foundation grants
• Social impact programs
• Sports accessibility
• Corporate foundation

Headquarters

HQ city

Marcq-en-Barœul

HQ country

France

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Operations, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Foundation grants and donations: Decathlon Foundation provides funding for sports equipment, construction/renovation of sports facilities, training for beneficiaries, scholarships, operating costs (coach/educator salaries), communication costs, and environmental awareness actions. The foundation does not generate commercial revenue but distributes funds to support sport-based social projects.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Decathlon Foundation is a corporate nonprofit foundation that funds and supports sport-based social impact projects for vulnerable populations (disadvantaged youth, girls and women in fragile situations, and people with health problems or disabilities). It provides grants for sports equipment, construction/renovation of sports facilities, training, scholarships, and operational costs, pairing funded projects with local Decathlon employee volunteers (coequipiers) across 53 countries where Decathlon operates.

Product overview

Decathlon Foundation offers a portfolio of sports-based social impact programs rather than commercial products. The foundation operates three core program areas: youth inclusion through sport, girls and women empowerment through sport, and health/wellbeing programs for people with disabilities or illness. Additionally, the foundation provides grant funding services (for equipment, facilities, training, scholarships, and operational costs) and advisory support through a structured 4-step project approval process. Projects must be sustainable (over 1 year), focus on vulnerable populations, involve Decathlon employees, integrate sport, and partner with non-profit organizations.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Sports Programs for Vulnerable Youth Foundation program supporting sport-based projects for children and young people living in vulnerable areas, helping them develop essential life skills, gain confidence, and improve well-being while promoting social cohesion and inclusion.
• Sports Programs for Girls and Women Foundation program empowering girls and women in fragile situations facing issues of violence, poverty, and sexism, enabling them to develop leadership skills and promote gender equality through regular physical activities.
• Sports Programs for People with Health Issues Foundation program supporting projects for people suffering from physical, mental, or psychological illnesses or disabilities by creating inclusive environments that encourage participation in sport and physical activity to improve health and well-being.
• Project Funding Services Funding provided to qualifying nonprofit projects for sports equipment, construction/renovation of sports facilities, training, scholarships, operational costs, communication content, and environmental awareness actions.

Quantifiable outcome

• 900,000 beneficiaries supported since 2005
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers12 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

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

• Sport dans la VilleflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerLong-term partnership since foundation creation in 2005. Supports disadvantaged youth through sports in France. Key project 'On va rouler sur le Nord' enables ~50 young people from priority neighborhoods to learn cycling, with Decathlon employees volunteering regularly.
• LazarecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerShared housing association connecting young workers with former homeless people in France. 'Bouge ta coloc' project provides sports equipment and organizes monthly sporting encounters, expanding to 10+ French cities and internationally.
• Institut Don BoscocoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThrough MNA 64 branch, supports unaccompanied minors arriving in France. 'Terre et Mer' project introduces surfing, hiking, beach volleyball, and swimming. Anglet Decathlon store provides employability program with workshops and professional support.
• CEAR (Commission espagnole d'aide aux réfugiés)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSpanish refugee aid commission. Decathlon Seville warehouse teams organize monthly sports outings for migrants. Four beneficiaries (Toko, Romaric, Leon, Dembo) were hired by Decathlon as result.
• Sport2BecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBrussels-based association empowering youth in difficulty through sports and employment support. Boxing Academy serves ~80 youth weekly at Gare Maritime. Foundation financed complete gym fitting and equipment.
• Make Life Skate LifecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational skatepark construction nonprofit. Snoubar Skatepark in Beirut (opened Aug 2021) was first public skatepark in Lebanon. Construction involved international volunteers, Decathlon Skateboarding teams, and Decathlon Lebanon with ongoing professional opportunities for local skaters.
• APERCIMcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPortugal association enabling people with disabilities to practice sports. 'Sai Prà Rua' project serves 1,100 beneficiaries with inclusive outdoor sports, including 300 in weekly activities. Decathlon Sintra provides support and internship opportunities.
• Toutes à l'école (Happy Chandara School)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFounded 2005 by Tina Kieffer. School provides high-quality education to 1,400+ disadvantaged Cambodian girls. Foundation supported construction of sports field enabling 1,000+ girls to benefit from sports. Decathlon Cambodia teams donate equipment and organize events.
• FormavidacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerColombia community organization active in La Mariposa working-class neighborhood. Foundation supported 90m² climbing wall serving up to 320 children daily. Project includes community gardens, nutrition workshops, and corporate volunteering for professional development.
• MiratusflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerBrazilian badminton academy in Chacrinha favela, Rio. Founded 2007 by Sebastião Dias de Oliveira. Produced Brazil's first Olympic badminton players including Ygor Coelho. Won 75+ Pan American Junior medals. Decathlon Brazil provides equipment, funding, and volunteer support.
• Juste pour EuxflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerMoroccan humanitarian association helping children in rural areas. 'Un Vélo pour Elles' project distributed 330 bikes to girls, achieving 70% baccalaureate pass rate. Success inspired Moroccan government to distribute 1.5 million bikes nationally.
• Ładne Historie FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPolish foundation activating disabled people. 'United by the Mountains' project enables disabled individuals and families to participate in mountain expeditions. 7 trips organized, 400 volunteers mobilized, nearly 500 beneficiaries served. Foundation financed climbing and camping equipment.
• Condition PubliquecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCultural venue in Roubaix, France. Hosted Colorama indoor skatepark created by designer Yinka Ilori in partnership with Decathlon Foundation and Decathlon Skateboarding. Opened September 2020 as community sports and street art space.
• Lycée Pierre Mendès FranceminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerTourcoing secondary school serving 384 students from priority neighborhoods. 'Faire bouger les collégiens' project uses active design to combat sedentary lifestyles. Decathlon provides equipment, innovation projects, and professional orientation support.
• Fundación PSGcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerParis Saint-Germain foundation. Co-supported 'Onze de Légende' project pairing autistic and neurotypical children (ages 9-11) through 6 months of free Wednesday soccer training. Documentary produced by Caroline Delage.
• Norauto FranceminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAutomotive service partner in 'On va rouler sur le Nord' cycling project, supporting young people from Roubaix priority neighborhoods with bike learning and itinerant camps.
• Floripa Stand Up PaddleminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBrazilian stand-up paddle operator. 'Tapera Stand Up Paddle' project serves 50 children (ages 6-14) twice weekly in Tapera neighborhood. Foundation provided equipment including 10 boards, 20 wetsuit bottoms, 30 pairs of shoes.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Others

• Fondation de France: France's largest grantmaking foundation network; comparable as a French-headquartered philanthropic vehicle supporting nonprofits across social causes including sport, health, and inclusion.

Broad incumbents

• adidas Foundation: Corporate foundation of adidas funding sport-based community programs globally; comparable as a sports-retailer-backed grantmaking foundation but operates at broader scale and across more verticals than Decathlon Foundation.
• ASICS Foundation: Corporate philanthropic vehicle of ASICS supporting sport-for-good initiatives; comparable as a sports-equipment brand's foundation channeling grants to community sport programs.
• Nike Foundation: Corporate philanthropic arm of Nike historically focused on girls' empowerment through sport; directly comparable as a sports-retailer-funded social-impact vehicle with similar grantmaking and program-support functions.

Direct peers

• Right To Play: International NGO that uses sport and play to educate and empower children facing adversity in dozens of countries; highly comparable in sport-as-tool-for-social-inclusion model and youth beneficiary focus.
• Women's Sports Foundation: Foundation dedicated to advancing opportunities for girls and women through sport and physical activity; directly comparable on the girls-and-women empowerment vertical of Decathlon Foundation.
• Sport dans la Ville: French nonprofit using sport for social and professional inclusion of youth from priority neighborhoods; both an active Decathlon Foundation partner since 2005 and a direct peer in the French sport-for-inclusion ecosystem.
• Laureus Sport for Good Foundation: Global sport-for-development foundation funding programs that use sport to address social issues for children and young people; operates across many countries with measurable outcomes — the most direct comparability in mission, structure, and beneficiary focus.

Emerging players

• Olympic Refuge Team Foundation: IOC-aligned initiative using sport to support displaced and refugee populations; overlaps with Decathlon Foundation's work with unaccompanied minors (Institut Don Bosco) and refugees (CEAR) and uses sport as a social-integration mechanism.
• Common Sport Foundation: Foundation promoting sport for development across Commonwealth nations; comparable as a sport-for-good grantmaker with international scope and a development-outcomes focus, though operating in a distinct geographic bloc.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/decathlon-foundation
• Instagraminstagram.com/decathlonfoundation

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 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 Decathlon Foundation