The Somfy Foundation, headquartered near Cluses, France, was established on July 1, 2004. Initially, its mission centered on fostering a greater understanding of the natural environment to help people live better. Over the years, the Foundation has shifted its focus, particularly from 2011, toward combating inadequate housing. In 2021, it further widened its remit to address three main areas: access to healthy and sustainable housing, social integration, and environmental preservation.
Financially, the Foundation maintains a multi-year commitment with an annual program budget of at least €370,000. In 2023, it allocated over €500,000 to projects, directly involving more than 650 employees from the Somfy Group. The Foundation’s work combines financial assistance with hands-on skills-based volunteering, supporting local associations and NGOs in France and internationally.
One of its flagship international initiatives, “A House is a Home,” collaborates with NGOs like Habitat for Humanity. Projects have spanned from providing housing for vulnerable families in Egypt to post-disaster housing in Australia and Romania. Environmental efforts include funding the planting and upkeep of 10 hectares of forest in Magland, France.
The Foundation’s approach is anchored in local partnerships, addressing immediate living needs and fostering longer-term resilience. It also backs emergency housing in crisis contexts and supports professional integration programs, extending its impact beyond immediate humanitarian aid. The Somfy Foundation prioritizes practical, measured interventions over high-profile campaigns, placing lasting improvements in quality of life at the forefront of its activities.