What Fondation Terre Solidaire does

Fondation Terre Solidaire is a French non-profit foundation (fondation reconnue d'utilité publique) established by decree on June 20, 2016, headquartered at 8 rue Jean Lantier, Paris. It operates as the first shelter foundation (fondation abritante) in France dedicated exclusively to ecological and solidarity transition, running two parallel functions: a direct grant-making operation funding local ecological-transition projects and an umbrella foundation that hosts sheltered foundations (fondations abritées) under its legal and administrative structure. As of the input, 12 sheltered foundations operate under its umbrella, spanning themes from agroecology and climate research to social integration and commons-based initiatives. The organization employs 13 people and is led by President Lydie Bonnet-Semelin and Director General Philippe Mayol, with a government commissioner appointed by the Ministry of the Interior on its board.

The foundation's core offering is its Project Funding Program, which provides financial support to local associations and citizen collectives working across four thematic axes: sustainable agriculture, new economic models, citizen energy, and environmental protection. Complementary programs include the annual 'Prix Ils changent le monde' award (launched 2020, highlighting approximately 150 local initiatives to date), the academic 'Prix de Thèse' recognizing young researchers (with climatologist Jean Jouzel as godfather since 2024), and the Dossards Solidaires program for runners in the Paris Marathon and Semi-Marathon. Since 2016, the foundation has supported 319 projects with cumulative investment exceeding €7 million, including 122 projects totaling €1.846 million in 2024 alone.

Revenue is derived entirely from charitable contributions through four streams: individual donations (eligible for 66% income tax or 75% IFI deduction), corporate sponsorships via a vetted mécénat program, bequests and inheritance donations (fully exempt from succession duties), and contributions from sheltered foundations. Distribution channels span an iRaiser-powered online donation platform, direct relationship management for corporate sponsors, and a multi-channel marketing mix covering website, social media, monthly newsletter, paid digital advertising, and event-driven cause-marketing. Mission efficiency is high, with 87% of 2024 expenses allocated to social missions, 8% to fundraising, and 5% to operations; the foundation has held the IDEAS Label continuously since 2018, renewed in 2022.

Name

Fondation Terre Solidaire

Legal name

Fondation Terre Solidaire

Website

https://fondation-terresolidaire.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2016

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

French public utility foundation (2016, Paris) funding ecological transition projects across agriculture, energy, environment, and new economic models. Since inception, has supported 319 projects with €7M+ mobilized through 8,000 donors and 12 sheltered foundations under its umbrella.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Charitable Foundation Services

NAICS

Grantmaking Foundations (813211), Grantmaking and Giving Services (81321), Other Grantmaking and Giving Services (813219)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Environmental & Climate Grantmaking Foundations (BPAGAKAM)

akta.pro secondary industries

Community Foundations (BPAGAKAB), Grantmaking & Philanthropic Funds (Institutional Donors) (BPADAOAB)

Keywords

• Ecological transition funding
• Charitable foundation services
• Sheltered foundation hosting
• Donation management programs
• Solidarity economy grants

Headquarters

HQ city

Paris

HQ country

France

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Others, Marketing or Sales, Operations

Revenue model

1. Donations from individuals: The foundation receives donations from individual donors, including one-time and recurring monthly contributions. These donations are tax-deductible in France under Article 200 and 238 bis of the CGI.
2. Corporate sponsorships (mécénat): Companies can become corporate sponsors (mécènes) through the foundation's corporate patronage program, which is reviewed by a dedicated committee to ensure alignment with the foundation's values.
3. Bequests and inheritances (legs et donations): The foundation accepts testamentary bequests and donations, benefiting from full exemption from succession duties as a recognized public utility foundation.
4. Sheltered foundations revenue: The foundation hosts sheltered foundations (fondations abritées) that contribute to the foundation's overall ecosystem and may generate their own fundraising.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Fondation Terre Solidaire funds ecological and solidarity transition projects across four axes (sustainable agriculture, new economic models, citizen energy, environmental protection), hosts 12 sheltered foundations under its legal umbrella, and offers donors multiple giving vehicles including one-time, recurring monthly, IFI, bequests, and usufruct donations. Since 2016, it has supported 319 projects with over €7 million invested, while running two award programs ("Prix Ils changent le monde" and "Prix de Thèse") that recognize and financially reward local citizen initiatives and academic research on ecological transition.

Product overview

Fondation Terre Solidaire operates as a public utility foundation established in 2016 that functions as both a grant-making organization and an umbrella foundation. Its core offering is the Project Funding Program, which finances ecological and solidarity transition initiatives across four axes: sustainable agriculture, new economic models, citizen energy, and environmental protection. The organization offers multiple giving vehicles including a Secure Online Donation Platform, Regular Donor Programs, IFI Tax Deduction Programs, and Legacy/Bequest Programs. As an umbrella foundation, it hosts 12 Sheltered Foundations covering diverse themes. Additionally, it runs two award programs: the annual 'Prix Ils changent le monde' for local citizen initiatives (launched 2020, with prizes up to €20,000 in 2024), and the 'Prix de Thèse' for academic research on ecological transition (€4,000 per winner). Since its creation, the foundation has supported 319 projects with over €7 million invested.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Project Funding Program Financial support program for ecological transition projects in four axes: sustainable agriculture, new economic models, citizen energy, and environmental protection. Since 2016, has supported 319 projects with over €7 million invested. Targeted at local associations and citizen collectives implementing ecological transition initiatives in France and internationally.
• Sheltered Foundations Service (Fondations Abritées) Umbrella foundation hosting service allowing individuals and organizations to create their own foundations under the legal umbrella of Fondation Terre Solidaire. Includes 12 sheltered foundations covering themes from agroecology to social justice.
• Online Donation Platform Secure online donation system (powered by iRaiser) accepting one-time or recurring donations via credit card, PayPal, instant bank transfer, checks, and IBAN payments. Includes tax deduction benefits (66% income tax, 75% IFI) for French donors.
• Regular Donor Program (Donateur Régulier) Monthly recurring donation program offering automatic monthly contributions with simplified administration and combined annual tax receipt for donors. Suggested amounts: €20, €100, or custom.
• IFI Donation Program Wealth tax (IFI) donation program allowing French taxpayers to deduct 75% of donations (up to €50,000) from their Immobilier à la Fortune tax obligation.
• Legacy/Bequest Program (Legs) Estate planning program allowing donors to leave bequests to the foundation, which is exempt from succession taxes as a recognized public utility foundation.
• Donation Program (Donation) Property and asset donation program including full ownership donations, donations with usufruct reservation, and temporary usufruct donations for tax optimization purposes.
• Temporary Usufruct Donation Tax optimization program allowing donors to temporarily transfer property income (rental income, dividends, interest) to the foundation for a minimum 3 years while retaining nude ownership, reducing IFI and income tax liability.
• Prix Ils changent le monde Annual award program that celebrates and financially supports local citizen initiatives contributing to ecological and solidarity transition. Targets small, often invisible associations with strong local impact. Since 2020, has highlighted nearly 150 local initiatives.
• Prix de Thèse Academic thesis award recognizing young researchers working on ecological, social, or economic challenges related to ecological transition. Includes categories in Human Sciences and Engineering/Earth Sciences with €4,000 per winner, sponsored by climatologist Jean Jouzel.
• Corporate Sponsorship Program (Mécénat) Corporate patronage program allowing companies to align their philanthropy with ecological and social values, reviewed by a dedicated committee to ensure alignment with the foundation's values.

Quantifiable outcome

• 319 projects supported since 2016
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers10 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Four partnerships are on record, tiered minor.

• Jean JouzelminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 14 November 2024Jean Jouzel, climatologist, member of the Académie des Sciences, and former vice-president of the IPCC scientific group, serves as godfather (parrain) for the Prix de Thèse. He presents prizes to thesis award winners and provides expertise and credibility to the foundation's academic awards program.
• POSITIVRminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 12 May 2020POSITIVR, a positive media outlet, serves as a media partner for the 'Prix Ils changent le monde', providing visibility and communication support for the foundation's award program.
• Laure NoualhatminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 11 May 2020Laure Noualhat, journalist, author, and filmmaker, served as godmother (marraine) of the first edition of the 'Prix Ils changent le monde' in 2020, lending her credibility and media profile to the award program.
• makesenseminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2020makesense is a partner organization featured in foundation projects, particularly regarding ecological transition in popular neighborhoods. The foundation supports makesense's 'Transition Juste' programs that engage youth in ecological issues.

Scale indicators13 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Fondation de France: France's largest grantmaking foundation, hosting numerous sheltered foundations (fondations abritées) and distributing hundreds of millions of euros annually. Direct comparable on the 'fondation abritante' umbrella model, with much larger scale.
• Fondation Caritas France: Major French humanitarian foundation with public-utility status, operating sheltered foundations and a multi-program funding approach. Comparable on governance status, IDEAS-like certification, and diversified donation vehicles.
• Fondation Yves Rocher – Terre de Femmes: French corporate-linked environmental foundation funding ecological and biodiversity projects, primarily in France. Comparable on funding model (individual donors + corporate sponsorship) and project-support approach.
• Fondation Nicolas Hulot (Fondation pour la Nature et l'Homme): Major French environmental foundation operating as an independent grantmaking and advocacy entity. Directly comparable as a French nonprofit foundation funding ecological transition projects, with similar donor-base reliance and tax-advantaged giving model.
• Fondation RAJA: Corporate French foundation supporting women's empowerment and environmental projects. Comparable on tax-advantaged giving model, IDEAS-like governance, and project-funding model with individual donor base.

Emerging players

• Réseau Cocagne: French network of 'jardins de Cocagne' supporting ecological agriculture and social insertion. Comparable on the funded-project model, with overlapping agricultural-transition themes and French nonprofit structure.

Broad incumbents

• WWF France: Large established environmental NGO in France with significant donor base and project-funding programs. Comparable on ecological transition mission and donor-driven revenue, with substantially larger scale and international brand.
• Fédération France Nature Environnement: Federation of French environmental associations, acting as an umbrella and grant-intermediary for ecological projects. Comparable on the umbrella/aggregator role and association-funding model, though advocacy-led rather than donor-led.

Others

• makesense: French social-impact organization focused on ecological and solidarity transition, including 'Transition Juste' programs engaging youth. Comparable as a partner-style organization working on overlapping themes, though structured as an association rather than a grantmaking foundation.

Regional players

• Lidl Foundation France (Fonds de Dotation Lidl): Corporate foundation supporting biodiversity and ecological transition causes in France. Comparable on funding model for environmental projects, though supported by a single corporate sponsor rather than a broad donor base.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCRDhRD5k9Pw4SJqXl6EZwSA
• Facebookfacebook.com/FondationTerreSolidaire
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/fondation-terre-solidaire
• Instagraminstagram.com/terre.solidaire

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Subsidiaries13 records

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 Fondation Terre Solidaire