The Fondation de France, together with the French Centre for Funds and Foundations and other partners, has successfully fought two amendments proposed in the Finance Law for 2012, which would significantly cut tax incentives for individual donors in France. The proposed law revisions, which were developed without any participation by the public-benefit sector, were made public on 10 November. The proposed amendments foresaw the inclusion of the current income tax incentives for individual donors in the list of other tax advantages globally subject to a low ceiling of €10,000, and a 10% reduction of the rate of such income tax incentives. Faced with what was clearly a very serious threat to the sector, the Fondation de France, the French Centre for Funds and Foundations and France Générosités (French association for foundations and associations engaged in fundraising) immediately began to inform government actors, parliamentarians and the press, about the devastating impact that the suggested changes would have on foundations and other public-benefit organisations. Last night the proposal was withdrawn. The president of the centre-right UMP  party  in the National Assembly, Christian Jacob announced the withdrawal of the proposal following the group’s weekly meeting: "Unanimously, we have decided to withdraw the amendment [...] It will, however, be necessary to discuss this matter further, with the sector concerned.” The French Centre for Funds and Foundations has announced that it will use this opportunity to make sure that the voice of the sector is heard and that the operating environment of public-benefit foundations and their donors is not made more burdensome.  

More information on can be found on the  website of the French Centre for Funds and Foundations: www.centre-francais-fondations.org