Fondation Chanel
Charity Number: 1195353
Contact Info
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Quick Stats
- Annual Giving: $110 million (2023)
- Success Rate: Not publicly disclosed
- Decision Time: Not publicly disclosed
- Grant Range: €30,000 - €200,000 per year
- Geographic Focus: International (UK and globally)
Contact Details
Website: www.fondationchanel.org
Email: info@fondationchanel.org
Phone: +442039610505
Address: 5 Barlow Place, London W1J 6DG, United Kingdom
Note: Applications currently paused while website is under construction
Overview
Established in 2011, FONDATION CHANEL is the philanthropic arm of CHANEL, registered as a UK charity in 2021 (charity number 1195353). The foundation received $110 million in funding from CHANEL in 2023, representing a 10% increase from the previous year. Their mission is to improve the economic and social conditions of women and adolescent girls worldwide, with programs currently impacting 9 million women and girls globally. The foundation operates through multi-year partnerships, adapting global strategies to local realities and amplifying community-led solutions.
Funding Priorities
Grant Programs
- Multi-year programs: €30,000 - €200,000 per year (2-3 year commitments)
- Application method: Two-stage process via online platform (currently paused)
- Administrative costs: Maximum 10% of grant request
Priority Areas
The foundation focuses on three thematic pillars:
- Safety: Protecting women and girls from violence and harm
- Economic and social autonomy: Promoting access to employment, entrepreneurship, education, and vocational training
- Climate resilience: Supporting women's leadership in climate adaptation and mitigation
What They Don't Fund
- Organizations operating for less than two years
- Projects with administrative costs exceeding 10%
- Applications from for-profit entities without charitable status
Governance and Leadership
FONDATION CHANEL operates as a charitable company under UK law with objects focused on “the relief of need amongst women and girls caused by discrimination on the basis of sex, financial disadvantage or other form of disadvantage.” The foundation works in solidarity with partners to create conditions for women and girls to be free to shape their own destiny, emphasizing community-led solutions and local expertise.
Application Process & Timeline
How to Apply
Current Status: Applications are paused while the foundation redesigns its digital platform. The foundation previously operated a two-stage process:
- Short program description with budget outline via online platform
- Selected organizations invited to complete broader application
Decision Timeline
Specific decision timeframes are not publicly disclosed. The foundation emphasizes thorough due diligence and partnership development.
Success Rates
Success rates and application statistics are not publicly available. The foundation appears to operate a highly selective process focused on strategic partnerships.
Reapplication Policy
Each organization may only apply once per call for proposals. Reapplication policies for unsuccessful applicants are not specified.
Application Success Factors
Based on current partnerships and funded organizations, successful applicants typically demonstrate:
- Community-led approach: Organizations that center women and girls with overlapping vulnerabilities
- Local expertise: Deep understanding of local contexts and cultural sensitivity
- Sustainable impact: Clear pathways to lasting change and potential for scale
- Data-driven approach: Ability to measure and report on impact
- Partnership orientation: Willingness to collaborate and share learning
Recent success examples include:
- myAgro's mobile layaway model for smallholder farmers in West Africa
- Women's Eye advocacy resulting in government support for single mothers in Japan
- Melissa Network's blueprint for refugee integration across Europe
Key Takeaways for Grant Writers
- Strategic partnership focus: Foundation prioritizes long-term collaborative relationships over one-off grants
- Multi-year commitment: Prepare for 2-3 year program cycles with substantial funding potential
- Invitation-based: May operate primarily through invitation rather than open applications
- Technical assistance available: Successful grantees can access CHANEL employee expertise
- Global reach with local impact: International scope but emphasis on community-led solutions
- Currently unavailable: Monitor foundation website for application reopening
- High selectivity: Limited public information suggests competitive selection process
References
- FONDATION CHANEL Charity Commission Registration: https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/en/charity-search/-/charity-details/5174451/charity-overview
- CHANEL 2023 Financial Results: https://www.chanel.com/puls-img/1716301904618-pressrelease2023resultsengfinalpdf.pdf
- Foundation website: https://www.fondationchanel.org/
- Various partnership profiles and funding opportunity announcements