Presentation

The BNP Paribas Foundation: Introduction

Working under the aegis of the Foundation of France, the BNP Paribas Foundation encourages dialogue between the banking world and its social and cultural surroundings. A meeting point for exchange and discovery, it provides another mode of expression for the values of BNP Paribas: ambition, commitment, creativity and responsiveness.

Through its programmes, the BNP Paribas Foundation focuses on conserving the cultural heritage of museums and bringing it before a wider public, encouraging creators and performers, supporting medical research in cutting-edge sectors and promoting projects which benefit education, social insertion and the handicapped.

Beyond mere financial support, the Foundation works with its partners as a bank works with its clients: with an eye to each one's ambitions, it proposes individually tailored assistance, offering advice and developing programmes in collaboration with the entirety of its network both in France and abroad.

Culture

A well-known and faithful patron of museums, the BNP Paribas Foundation helps to support the publication of books presenting the cultural wealth held in museum collections as well as the restoration of their masterpieces. Initiated by the Foundation, these two programmes have provided support for numerous institutions. Thanks to the work of the Foundation, more than fifty books on French and foreign museums have been published and sixty works of art restored and brought again before the public.

The BNP Paribas Foundation attaches particular importance to promoting contemporary artistic expression, regularly providing assistance for creators in disciplines generally overlooked by corporate patrons, namely contemporary dance, the new circus arts and jazz. At the same time, it also contributes to the discovery of rare or unpublished musical works and encourages young performers. Always keen to discover new talent, the Foundation continues its support through the links that it has forged with festivals and broadcasters.

Healthcare, Solidarity

In the healthcare sector, the BNP Paribas Foundation aids researchers and doctors working on medical research and its clinical applications. Drawing on the expertise of organisations recognised by the scientific community, it frequently provides financial assistance for newly created medical teams over a period of several years.

In the encouragement of social solidarity, the BNP Paribas Foundation has chosen to support pilot projects aimed at aiding the social reintegration of the handicapped and needy. Launched in 2002, the Foundation's programme, 'Helping staff help others', is designed to facilitate solidarity initiatives in which bank staff are involved on a personal level.

Rooted in France but with an international reach

Support for international initiatives based on cultural exchanges and cooperation with France, support for tours, organisation of programmes with a specific focus on the international, initiation and coordination of patronage policies already undertaken abroad by territorial authorities…The Foundation's activities reflect a group that is based in France but has a resolutely international outlook.

Strengthened by the very close ties that it maintains with its partners, the Foundation is also willing to encourage meetings between these partners and the banking world - its staff, clients and shareholders. Such exchanges place the Foundation at the crossroads of reciprocal discoveries which are mutually beneficial.

The BNP Paribas Foundation : Organisation

Working under the aegis of the Foundation of France, the BNP Paribas Foundation is a member of Admical and the French Foundations Centre.

Projects are pre-selected by the Foundation's secretary-general and submitted to the Patronage Committee, which comprises representatives from various BNP Paribas businesses and the managing director of the Foundation of France. The Patronage Committee then decides how to support the projects and the amount of assistance to be allocated.

The Foundation's permanent team, comprising five staff members and a trainee, are responsible for implementing and following up on decisions; they lend their expertise to BNP Paribas affiliates which seek to associate themselves with the initiatives receiving their support.

Contact

Fondation BNP Paribas
3, rue d'Antin
75002 - Paris