French donation growth slowest in 20 years, despite direct debit rise

Donations to French charities and foundations grew 1.9% between 2023 and 2024 – a figure which translates to marginal growth once adjusted for inflation – according to the Baromètre de la générosité 2024 published by EFA member France générosités.

This is the lowest growth figure since the first report in 2005, with the exception of 2018, which was due to a reform of the country’s tax regime.

The study of donations to 57 organizations excludes donations of more than €250,000, those made to online event ZEvent, and emergency media appeals. Adding emergency media appeals into account and donations grew by 3%, in part as a result of the response to the December 2024 cyclone in Mayotte, a French territory in the Indian Ocean.

In 2024, income from regular direct debit donations rose by 4.4%. Such gifts now represent 45% of those organizations’ income, more than double the 20% of 2004.

One-off donations of less than €150 were less common in 2024, declining 3.6% year-on-year. They now represent 39% of total income, nearly half the 69% of 2004.

The only other size of donation in decline last year was gifts of €10,000 or more, dropping by 0.3% between 2023 and 2024.

Weak November

The 1.9% growth figure may be considered a disappointment given that donations in the first half of 2024 were 3.1% higher than the same period in 2023.

The second half of the year witnessed a slowdown, including a 3.1% year-on-year drop in donations in November 2024, followed by 0.3% in December. These two months are a key time in the fundraising calendar, accounting for a third of all giving.

The study also demonstrates the rapid, ongoing growth of digital giving. In 2019, 20% of gifts were online, a figure which has risen to 33%.

Separate research released earlier this year by France générosités, and the Fondation de France’s Observatoire Philanthropie & Société, showed that corporate giving in France was growing faster than individual giving. It also highlighted particular growth in donations from SMEs and very small enterprises (VSEs).

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