Donating businesses to associations: where are we at?

Today, corporate donations to associations in France amount to 3.8 billion euros, for about 171,900 corporate sponsors (Barometer of corporate sponsorship in France, 2022, Admical).

It is a fact that companies have real strength to help associations, which are now seeking to diversify their sources of financing.

According to An Adfinitas study, in 2019, the generosity of French women amounted to 8.5 billion euros, 41% of which came from businesses. The main beneficiaries of these donations were non-profit organizations (93%).

Businesses therefore contribute significantly to the financing of associations today. But when compared with other countries, France is not the one that has advanced the most rapidly.

Take the example of the United States, where corporate sponsorship is a much more developed practice and supported by both citizens and public policies. In France, advances and policies on corporate donations to associations have been longer delayed, but they continue to increase over the years.

In fact, according to National overview of generosities of France Générosities in 2024, over the last fifteen years, the amount of donations declared under corporate tax has continued to grow. This increase is driven by VSEs, whose share among all corporate sponsors increased from 47% in 2010 to 62% in 2022.

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The challenges of financial donations for businesses and associations

The 2025 budget provides for large budget cuts for local authorities: the State is asking regions, municipalities and departments to achieve 2.2 billion euros in budgetary savings. Local authorities, which represent a third of the funding of associations, are in turn forced to cut even more in grants to associations.

Private funding is therefore essential to guarantee their sustainability and enable them to continue their actions.

In recent years, there has been a diversification of collection methods. The latter aim more and more to adapt to socio-economic changes (rejuvenation of donors) and technological (new payment methods), thus forcing associations to rethink their financing methods.

The age of donors is indeed questionable, because the figures show that young people make smaller and less regular donations than their elders.

On the other hand, digital technology and technology are transforming and diversifying the ways in which donations are made. Indeed, crowdfunding carried out during online events or even solidarity rounding up at the cash register are increasingly frequent practices to which associations must adapt.

In this context, companies have a real mobilizing force and represent financial hope for associations. More and more of them are declaring donations, especially large companies (87% in 2020) and medium-sized businesses (49% in 2020).

Note that France has a system of tax exemption for donations that can only encourage companies to support associations.

However, some believe that the conditions to be met to benefit from these tax cuts as well as the calculations to be made can be tedious.

In reality, these conditions are fairly simple to understand. Do you still prefer to delegate these administrative tasks? There are ways to help you, such as using Komeet !

See also: 6 examples of committed businesses

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How can a business benefit from a tax reduction?

All businesses subject to corporate tax can donate and benefit from a tax reduction.

In fact, making a donation as a business to an association under the 1901 law entitles you to tax exemption. But this tax exemption for corporate donations to associations only takes place under certain conditions detailed below.

To obtain a tax reduction, a donation must be made to an organization serving the general interest, non-profit and must not benefit only a limited group of people. The different types of organizations that meet these conditions can be found on the Government site.

In concrete terms, companies are entitled to a tax reduction of 60% for the fraction of the donation less than or equal to €2,000,000 and 40% for the fraction greater than €2,000,000. Note that the calculation of the reduction cannot exceed €20,000 or 0.5% of net sales for the same fiscal year.

For businesses, making financial donations of this kind can therefore be a concrete way of directing their taxes to local associative projects, which make sense for them and their stakeholders.

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Why mobilize your employees through this practice?

The benefits for businesses

In addition to the tax advantages described above, mobilizing in this way with associations allows companies to strengthen their brand image, transmit values of generosity and direct their engagement program towards maximum impact. It is also about federate all employees (and why not all stakeholders) by proposing a solidarity gesture that is quick to carry out and in line with the values of society.

Donating time (through skills sponsorship for example) and donating money are two essential resources for associations. Linking them consistently will only add impact to your engagement program, especially if it's possible to do them on a single platform, as Komeet offers.

Discover the platform

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The advantages for associations

These structures constantly need new sources of funding in order to act on the ground.

You should know that associations are not entitled to have a year's cash flow in advance. This is one reason why they always need to bring in money on an ongoing basis throughout the year.

Communication around fundraising is also an excellent way to promote associations that sometimes lack visibility among the general public. Making them known to the business community is also a great way to give them support.

By mobilizing their employees, and by communicating on the needs and missions of associations, companies provide them with significant human support. It is a win-win exchange for both associations and businesses.

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The benefits for employees

Today, the relationship between employees and work has changed. In fact, according to The study conducted by Audencia and Jobs that make sense, many of them think that the search for meaning is essential.

When asked, 57% of them say they want to contribute to the challenges of ecological and/or social transition and 53% want to feel useful. To the question “What are your selection criteria for a job?” ”, 54% of them answer that they chose their position for its impact on society and/or the planet.

Commitment therefore represents a real need for employees. Mobilizing businesses to support large Causes to defend and the major contemporary challenges can only contribute to the well-being of employees and motivate them even more!

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Launch a donation solution in your business with Komeet!

Chez Komeet, we have chosen to develop a donation collection solution that is directly integrated into our social commitment platform. Our aim? Making it easier for associations and businesses and multiplying the amounts collected.

And since each company has its own needs to support its partner associations, we have thought of several fundraising formats: peer to peer, matched donations, dollars for doers, challenges... Each step has been simplified to help companies as much as possible in their collaborative donation collections for the benefit of associations!

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Contact the Komeet team to find out more about the donation solution!

Learn more

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