Charitable action in the workplace: the complete guide to setting it up

When well conceived, a corporate charity initiative (also known as a corporate solidarity initiative) creates cohesion, reinforces CSR strategy, gives meaning to work and produces a useful impact for the general interest.

This guide offers a clear framework, ideas for solidarity actions, step-by-step instructions and advice on measurement, with a legal and tax perspective in France.

1) Key definitions (and legal framework in France)

Corporate philanthropy: This is a donation (without equivalent consideration) made to a non-profit organization working in the public interest.

The donation may be financial, in kind or in the form of skills sponsorship (employees made available during their working hours). Distinguishable from sponsorship, which involves advertising.

Tax reduction (IS/IR): In France, the company generally benefits from a tax reduction of 60% of the amount of the donation up to €2 million, then 40% above that, up to the higher of €20,000 or 5 ‰ of sales excluding VAT.

Surpluses can be carried forward for up to five years. Keep your tax receipts; above €10,000 in donations in any one year, a dedicated declaration is required.

Skills sponsorship. This is a donation in kind, which consists of making employees available to a non-profit organization, during their working hours, to carry out a mission (in the form of a service or loan of manpower). The scheme is subject to certain conditions, and may be eligible for tax relief.

Valuation and supporting documents. Donations in kind and skills are valued at cost (e.g. remuneration + charges for an employee made available). Tax receipts must precisely describe the nature/quantity of the goods and details of the employees made available.

2) Why launch a corporate charity initiative?

  • EmployeeEngagement & meaning at work. Solidarity actions reinforce adherence to values, pride in belonging and motivation. Skills sponsorship schemes are cited as levers for cohesion and social impact, useful for both the company and the employee.
  • Concrete proof of your CSR strategy. Actions in the public interest lend credibility to your CSR policy and facilitate the alignment of "values and behaviors" on a day-to-day basis (internal communication, employer brand).
  • Local roots and professional integration. Recent barometers show the progression of corporate philanthropy and the growing importance of local projects (culture, sport, social, environmental, professional integration). Corporate sponsors are more numerous and structured than ever before.
Corporate charity

3) 6 steps to a successful solidarity program

  1. Step 1: Anchor in the strategy. Link the action to your challenges (e.g. business sector, key skills, territories). Define objectives (e.g. fundraising, charity events, professional integration, financial donations/donations in kind, skills sponsorship).
  2. Step 2: Choose the right cause(s) and format. Select 1-2 causes (education, inclusion, health, climate) and format(s): solidarity team building, skills sponsorship, donation campaign, internal challenge, awareness-raising. Include the action in a structured approach rather than juxtaposing one-off operations.
  3. Step 3: Partners & governance. Identify non-profit organizations aligned with your values. Sign a sponsorship agreement (objectives, timetable, follow-up, terms and conditions). Establish roles/KPIs (participation, amounts, sponsorship days, impact).
  4. Step 4: HR and tax framework. For skills sponsorship, formalize agreement + rider; value at cost; collect tax receipts (in-kind donations: exhaustive description; employees on loan: details required).
  5. Step 5: Communication and activation. Launch a clear internal campaign (FAQ, "sample titles" for your e-mails/intranet: "Week of Giving", "Solidarity Impact Challenge", "Pink October: 1 step = 1 donation"). Prepare rankings, challenges, rewards and an ambassador kit.
  6. Step 6: Measurement and continuous improvement. Track in real time: participation, sponsorship hours, amounts collected, beneficiaries reached, satisfaction rates, testimonials. Publish a CSR report, share results and implement improvements.

4) 20 ideas for solidarity actions that can be activated quickly

  1. Salary rounding (monthly micro-donation, co-sponsored by the employer).
  2. Collection of hygiene products and in-kind donations (reconditioned PCs, furniture, PPE).
  3. Solidarity challenge (step, bike, eco-gesture quiz): each point = donation to an association.
  4. Skills sponsorship day (CV, interview simulation, digital workshop), engagement to professional integration.
  5. Mentoring (education, equal opportunities) on working time (recurring short format).
  6. Leave donations converted into financial donations (according to agreements/HR).
  7. Pink October/Movember campaign with health-sports activities and fund-raising.
  8. In-house food collection (with local food bank) + charity sorting/delivery event.
  9. Impact hackathon (pro bono) to equip an NGO (website, CRM, data).
  10. Solidarity-based re-use (furniture, IT) with integration projects.
  11. Workshops to raise awareness (disability, inclusion, climate) in micro-formats.
  12. Inter-team solidarity race (each km generates a donation).
  13. Grants to associations (employee voting, budget allocation).
  14. End-of-year book/toy drive + volunteer logistics.
  15. Financial donations coupled with "1 € = 1 meal" collections (authorized organizations).
  16. CV/LinkedIn workshops with second-chance schools and local missions.
  17. Operation "1 h pour l'asso": 1-hour slots for professional advice (legal, communications, finance).
  18. Green day (waste collection, planting) team building with local partners.
  19. If you are a retailer, check eligibility and receipts.
  20. Solidarity Open Day: associative market on your premises + discovery workshops.

5) Focus on skills sponsorship (operational)

  • Formats: Service provision (company-led assignment) or manpower loan (organization-led assignment). Available from half-day to full-time (up to 3 years).
  • Documents : Contract addendum + tripartite sponsorship agreement (objectives, duration, value, confidentiality, security).
  • Valuation: At cost (wages + charges), with precise traceability for receipts.
  • Best practices: Frame the mission, set up HR monitoring, involve management, open up to all professions.
Corporate charity

6) How to measure impact (and prove it)

  • Participation: Registration rate, active rate, number of teams, diversity of trades/sites.
  • Direct impacts: Amounts of donations/financial gifts collected, number of goods donated in kind, days of patronage achieved, beneficiaries reached.
  • HR impacts: Perception of meaning at work, cohesion, attractiveness (before/after flash surveys).
  • Traceability and compliance: tax receipts (description of goods, employees provided), declaration if > €10,000 in donations/year.

7) Boost membership with mobile gaming (OuiLive)

OuiLive: Business in game mode. One platform, thousands of corporate mobile games to speed up your daily solidarity actions:

  • Quick, turnkey launch: intuitive interface, +200 templates and dedicated support ideal for setting up a solidarity challenge in just a few minutes.
  • Real Engagement : 100% mobile format, rankings, challenges, rewards tailored to your teams - perfect for charity team-building.
  • Measurable results: real-time analytics (participation, points → financial donations/in-kind donations), exports for your CSR strategy.

Copy-and-paste sample headlines for your campaigns

  • Impact Challenge: 1 step = 1 gift
  • Inclusion Week: boosting professional integration
  • Pink October in game mode: take up 5 solidarity challenges
  • Green Friday: our actions for the common good

8) FAQ

What's the difference between patronage and sponsorship?

Patronage is a donation without equivalent consideration to a public-interest organization, while sponsorship includes advertising (e.g. brand visibility).

What tax rates and ceilings apply to companies?

In principle 60% up to €2m, 40% above, up to €20,000 or 5 ‰ of sales excluding VAT (whichever is greater), with carry-forward possible for 5 years. Keep tax receipts, additional declaration if > €10,000 in donations.

Is skills sponsorship recognized and valued?

Yes, it's an in-kind donation with employees provided during working hours, valued at cost (contractual framework required).

How do I start a "round-up"?

Through a specialized operator (e.g. microDON), allowing each employee to make a monthly micro-donation, with the employer making a matching contribution.

9) Implementation checklist

  • Objectives and KPIs (impact + HR) aligned with CSR strategy
  • Priority cause(s) and chosen format (skills sponsorship, fundraising, charity events, team building)
  • Qualified associative partners (general interest status)
  • HR and tax framework (endorsements, agreements, receipts, declarations > €10,000)
  • Internal communication plan (FAQ, sample headlines, posters, intranet)
  • Activation and measurement tool (e.g. OuiLive)
  • Shared assessment and improvements implemented

In conclusion

A corporate charity initiative is a powerful lever forengagement, attractiveness and impact.

By setting up appropriate formats (from skills sponsorship to donation drives), ensuring compliance (tax/HR) and gamifying the experience,

You can transform the impetus of solidarity into concrete, lasting results for your teams, your territories and the general interest.

Sources

Share your love