Social Impact: A Shared Goal of Two Philanthropic Cultures

A groundbreaking study conducted by Banque Transatlantique and CerPhi compares philanthropic behavior in France and the United States. It challenges common stereotypes: while the amounts donated remain incomparable, the French elite are nearly as committed as their American counterparts, and a new generation is redefining the norms of generosity.

A wide gap in amounts, but similar behaviors
The contrast is striking. In 2023, donations totaled $557 billion in the United States, compared to 9.2 billion euros in France in 2022—a ratio of 1 to 60. As a percentage of GDP, philanthropy accounts for 2% across the Atlantic, compared to just 0.3% in France.
 

However, when we look at the economic elites, their behaviors are becoming more similar. In 2023, 81% of very high-income French households made donations, compared with 85% of American high-net-worth individuals. The average donation amounts differ significantly (€6,166 for a household subject to the IFI in France versus $34,917 for a comparable household in the United States), but the act of giving has become a shared habit.
 

The main difference lies in the tax framework. In the United States, donations are deductible from taxable income, a mechanism that is particularly advantageous for the wealthiest individuals. In France, the system favors a flat-rate tax credit, regardless of tax bracket, which has helped broaden the donor base.
 

The study also highlights that commitment isn’t measured solely in monetary terms. 55% of wealthy French people volunteer, compared with 37% of their American counterparts. French philanthropy remains more low-key, but it is often more deeply rooted in time and local communities.

Companies, Foundations, and New Generations: A Model in Transition
The Banque Transatlantique–CerPhi study highlights a little-known fact: the significance of corporate philanthropy in France. In 2022, it accounted for 42% of reported donations, compared to just 6% in the United States. This distinctive feature reflects strong societal expectations toward French companies, which are perceived as legitimate actors in the funding of causes of public interest.
 

France is also catching up in the area of foundations. With more than 5,600 active organizations, their number is growing by nearly 5% per year, while the United States is experiencing virtually zero growth (+0.6%). The total number remains incomparably smaller than the 100,000 U.S. foundations, but the momentum is there.
 

Finally, the study highlights the emergence of a new generation of philanthropists. Younger and more connected, they seek measurable results and aim to address root causes. Whereas previous generations funded remedial initiatives, donors from Generations X, Y, and Z are adopting a more systemic approach that bridges social entrepreneurship and nonprofit work. According to the Fondation de France Barometer, the proportion of philanthropic organization founders under the age of 35 has doubled in twenty years (from 5% to 10%).
 

This transformation is accompanied by a growing demand for transparency and consistency. Donors want to measure the concrete impact of their commitment and align their contributions with their values. Philanthropy is thus becoming a laboratory for social innovation—complementary to public action—where France and the United States are moving forward along different paths but converging toward a shared ambition: to bring about lasting change in society.

Source: Banque Transatlantique & CerPhi, Panorama of Philanthropy, September 2025.