Never before has business been so frequently called upon by charitable organizations to donate funds; indeed, we are witnessing a period of growing government withdrawal of financial support to fields of public interest.

The year 2010 was marked by a paradox—the number of corporations granting subsidies considerably increased (+17%), but at the same time the overall budget was cut by 20%.

Indeed, two billion euros (compared to 2.5 in 2008) were consecrated to financial sponsorship by around 35,000 business firms.

Social, educational and health fields were in the forefront for receiving donations, with 36% of the budget (around 720 million euros). Next came sports (19%), culture and heritage (19%), international solidarity (11%) and the environment (11%).

Research (all fields combined, including medical research) came in last (4%); and in addition, the funds collected were considerably less in 2010--around 80 million euros compared to 225 million euros in 2008!

And yet:

Citizens in our day and ago probably expect more of the corporate world and of their employers than ever before. Above and beyond questions of financial transparency and honest governing, the responsibility of industry in present-day society is being demanded, examined and evaluated. Sponsorship, which is above all a free choice, represents one of the major ways in which industry can rise to the occasion.

It is rare at present that a company only grant subsidies in one single area: the average is 1.9 compared to 1.3 in 2008. Such diversification might be an opportunity to boost the funding of medical research.

References

Le mécénat d’entreprise en France – Résultats de l’enquête Admical-CSA – 2010