Promotion of innovative economic tools to bring long-lasting solutions to societal and humanitarian action

Who we are

Demeter foundation supports programs and organizations that propose innovative economic solutions against vulnerability and exclusion. The goal of this support is to increase their professionalization and financial autonomy. It was established in 1994 and is affiliated with Fondation de France.


What impact we aim for

In 1994, we launched “Fondation Demeter” with the ambition “PROMOTE INNOVATIVE ECONOMIC TOOLS TO BUILD LONG-LASTING SOLUTIONS FOR THE SOCIETY”.

Demeter foundation has supported over 100 social leaders/projects across the globe who are finding innovative ways to bring solutions to socio-economic challenges specific to vulnerable communities. The programs we have sponsored are present in Europe, the United States, Latin America, Africa or India and include areas as diverse as microfinance, (ex-)convicts, people with disabilities, entrepreneurship, collaborative management, and social pledges. These social leaders have embraced a bold mindset and innovative – often counter-intuitive – tools to solve problems and successfully scale up their projects to create greater impact.

We are proud of these social leaders and of the organizations we support. Their actions continue to make positive change in the lives of thousands of people.


Latest news

Can we bring entrepreneurship to the social sector?

Spotify podcast. 30 years ago, people only thought about non-profits and gifts in order to have a social impact. Pascal gives us a brief history of the social sector and how it has been reshaped by US billionaires over the last decades.

23/11/2022

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A journey of systemic change

Stone Soup Consulting and Demeter Foundation have been collaborating for some years now, towards systemic change. Demeter was interested in investing in a process in Portugal were there was a dire need for this type of intervention.

23/11/2022

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A paradigm shift in the criminal justice system

Turning prisons into detention houses. In Belgium, there are 10,800 people serving prison sentences out of a population of 11 million.

18/11/2022

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Our history

1994
Demeter foundation is created
Demeter foundation is created
Affiliation with the Fondation de France
1995
Affiliation with the Fondation de France
1994 - 2006
Focused on Women’s Empowerment as Economic Agents / Microfinance
Focused on Women’s Empowerment as Economic Agents / Microfinance
Focused on Economic Insertion of At-Risk Youth / Entrepreneurship
2006 - 2018
Focused on Economic Insertion of At-Risk Youth / Entrepreneurship
2005 - To Date
Became one of the first members of Impact Europe,

where Pascal Vinarnic is a board member since 2021

members of EVPA
Established relationship with Unitus Ventures
2015 - To Date
Established relationship with Unitus Ventures

(one of India’s leading impact funds)

2013 - 2019
Active collaboration with NESsT

in Latin America and Eastern Europe

Active collaboration with Nesst
2018 - To Date
Active collaboration with PhiTrust

notably PhiTrust Active Investors

2016
Joined Un Esprit de Famille Network
Demeter Joined Un Esprit de Famille
Demeter Focus support on communities-based solutions and charitable matching pledges
2018 - To Date
Focus support on Communities-Based solutions and Charitable Matching Pledges
2020 - To Date
Active collaboration with Rothschild&Co4Generations Foundation
Demeter Active collaboration with Rothschild&Co4Generations foundation
Demeter Active collaboration with Astorg Philanthropic Investments
2022 - To Date
Active collaboration with Astorg Philanthropic Investments