Frequently asked questions
STRUCTURE SIDE
Who can register with MecenUS?
Who can register with MecenUS?
Eligible organizations include eligible for sponsorship within the meaning of art. 200 and 238 bis of the CGI (works/organizations ofgeneral interest associations, foundations, endowment funds, public establishments/collectivities, Musée de France, higher education and research establishments, etc.), meeting the criteria of general interest (disinterested managementpredominantly non-profit-making activity, wide circle of beneficiaries).
The projects must be in thegeneral interest (culture, social, education, environment, sport, research, health, citizenship), with no quid pro quo or disproportionate benefit for the donor.
Please read carefully the articles 200 and 238bis to check your eligibility.
If in doubt, you can apply for a tax ruling with the Direction départementale ou régionale des finances publiques (DDFIP/DRFIP) where your head office is located.
Consult the General Terms and Conditions of Subscription : CGA
Who can register a facility on MecenUS?
A structure's registration on MecenUS must be carried out by its legal representative (president), or by any other person duly authorized to do so(representative, employee, designated volunteer). In the latter case, it is advisable to have a document attesting to this authorization(delegation of signature, mandate or letter from the legal representative), to guarantee the validity of the registration and the legal security of the procedures.
The structure is a public administrative establishment (EPA): does it operate differently?
MecenUS also works for this type of structure. Public administrative bodies (national museums, universities, art schools, etc.) can also use the platform to collect donations, track payments and automatically generate tax receipts.
The only difference concerns the signature of the tax receipt: under the terms of the decree of November 7, 2012 on public accounting, the public accountant must personally validate any document engaging his responsibility, including tax receipts.
In concrete terms, MecenUS automatically prepares your receipts (pre-filled, time-stamped and compliant), then you or your finance department manually validate them before dispatch.
This "manual validation" mode ensures the same level of security, traceability and compliance as automatic signature, while strictly respecting the legal framework for public establishments.
How much does it cost to register a structure?
Access to MecenUS is via an annual annual subscription from 150 € EXCL. TAX (180 € INCL. TAX).
The subscription can be can be cancelled at any time via the. However, in the event of cancellation during the year, the subscription is non-refundable. See CGA
Are there any charges on donations?
MecenUS does not charge commission on donations.
However, payments are processed via Stripean approved international provider of online payment services, which applies standard standard bank charges (currently approx. 1.4% + €0.25 per transaction for European cards). These fees are directly deducted from the donation amount before payment to the structure.
How to communicate your presence on MecenUS
1 - Use the QR code (available on the dashboard)
We can provide you with a visual with a QR code linking directly to your MecenUS page.
This visual can be used and integrated on all your media: posters, brochures, stickers, programs, entrance doors, tarpaulins, screens, etc.
2 - Distribute the direct link to the structure file (URL)
You also get a unique link to your MecenUS page.
Use it everywhere: on your website, newsletters, e-mail signatures and, above all, on all your social networks.
3 - Oral communication
Remember to mention it at the end of a lecture, guided tour, concert, show or other event.
A simple "You can also support us via MecenUS! is enough to create a reflex.
4 - Take advantage of MecenUS communication
At the same time, we're spreading the word on our own social networks and in our campaigns. We're also deploying QR codes in various contexts to encourage potential patrons to discover the platform and thus... your projects.
More information on the page: Communicate my presence on MecenUS
Can I consult the history of my donations and track my patrons?
Yes, each structure has a dashboard to track its donations, identify its sponsors and access their contact details (in compliance with the RGPD).
How many days does it take for donations to be transferred to my account?
Donations collected are transferred to the structure's bank account within 7 working days.
How is my tax receipt issued?
MecenUS provides a simplified module for issuing them. Tax receipts must bear the legible signature of the association's President, Treasurer or any other person authorized to collect donations.
Do I have to declare my donations to the tax authorities?
Exactly. Lrticle 19 of the law of August 24, 2021 imposes a reporting obligation on organizations that issue receipts, attestations or any other documents by which they indicate to a taxpayer that he or she is entitled to benefit from tax reductions. These organizations must declare to the tax authorities:
- the total amount of donations and payments mentioned on the documents (receipts, attestations or any other documents) issued to donors during the previous calendar year (or during the last financial year if it does not coincide with the calendar year) which gave rise to the issue of a tax receipt,
- the number of documents (receipts, certificates or any other documents) issued during the period or financial year in respect of these donations.
Can I unsubscribe from MecenUS?
Absolutely you can request deletion of your account at any time (via the platform). However, any registration or subscription fees already incurred will not be refunded.
SPONSORS (INDIVIDUALS AND COMPANIES)
What is a patron?
A patron is a person (individual) or company who chooses to provide financial support for a project of general interest, without expecting a direct return.
Being a sponsor means :
- help bring to life projects that are useful to society (cultural, social, environmental, health, educational...), disabilityresearch, sport...),
- benefit from a tax advantage (tax reduction under Articles 200 and 238 bis of the French General Tax Code).
Who can become a patron?
Any individual or legal entity wishing to provide financial support to a non-profit organization.
How much can I donate?
Donations can be made from as little as €1 (i.e. 40 centimes after tax reduction for a company, 34 centimes for an individual), allowing everyone to become a patron.
There is no donation limit.
Do I have to pay to become a patron?
No, registration as a patron is totally free.
What tax benefits can I obtain?
Individuals :
Tax reduction of 66% of the amount of the donation, up to 20% of taxable income, for public-interest organizations (art. 200 CGI).
https://bofip.impots.gouv.fr/bofip/5873-PGP.html/identifiant%3DBOI-IR-RICI-250-30-20240702
For organizations providing assistance to people in difficulty (free meals, medical care or housing for the underprivileged), the reduction rate is raised to 75% of the amount of the donation, up to a ceiling (currently €1,000 per year) for the portion concerned.
https://www.service-public.fr/particuliers/vosdroits/F426
https://bofip.impots.gouv.fr/bofip/5873-PGP.html/identifiant%3DBOI-IR-RICI-250-30-20240702
Above this ceiling (€1,000 for the 75% rate), the excess portion benefits from the 66% rate under the usual conditions (ceiling of 20% of taxable income).
When the amount of donations is capped and exceeds the limit of 20% of taxable income, the excess is carried forward to the next 5 years and entitles the donor to a tax reduction under the same conditions.
Companies:
Tax reduction of 60% of the amount of donations (article 238 bis CGI), up to a limit of 0.5% of sales excluding VAT or €20,000, whichever is higher.
https://bofip.impots.gouv.fr/bofip/6476-PGP.html/identifiant%3DBOI-BIC-RICI-20-30-10-20-20250108
If the donation is higher (above certain thresholds), a lower rate may apply for the excess portion (e.g. 40%) under the conditions of article 238 bis of the CGI. En addition lhen the ceiling is exceeded in a given year, the excess donation is spread over the following 5 years, after taking into account any new donations made during these years. The rate applied to this excess is the rate applied to the initial amount.
Even for a one-euro donation, it's a good idea to keep your tax receipt. This makes it easy to keep track of all your donations over the year, and to have all the supporting documents you need to present in the event of an audit. It's also a good way to prepare your tax return, by keeping all your receipts in one place.
How can I be sure that my donation is secure?
All payments transit through an approved service provider (PSP) that complies with banking security standards (3D Secure, RGPD). As with all online transactions, Stripe applies standard bank charges directly from the donation amount (currently approx. 1.4% + €0.25 per transaction for European cards). These fees are directly deducted from the donation amount before payment to the organization.
Can I choose what my donation is used for?
Yes, you are free to choose the structure you wish to support
Can I make a donation if I'm not a French tax resident?
Yes, anyone - including tourists and those not resident in France for tax purposes - can make a donation via MecenUS. However, the tax receipt issued is only valid for French tax purposes and cannot be used in any other country.
Will I receive a tax receipt?
Yes, as soon as your donation has been validated, you will automatically receive your tax receipt by e-mail (via the e-mail address you have provided).
If I don't use my tax receipt, am I still a patron?
Of course you can! I don't have to use my tax receipt. Nor is it used if I don't pay tax. In both cases, however, I'm a sponsor and I'm contributing to the public good.
How many languages is MecenUS translated into?
MecenUS is translated into five languages: English, Chinese (simplified), Arabic, Spanish and Japanese.
How are the structures visible on the platform selected?
Only structures eligible for sponsorship (art. 200 and 238 bis of the CGI) can register. Each structure must identify itself with its SIREN code and certify that it is eligible for sponsorship.
How do you choose a sponsor?
The platform allows you to filter structures according to your tastes or your areas of interest (culture, social, sport, disability, environment, education, research, health, citizenship...).
What happens to my personal data?
Your data is protected in accordance with the RGPD. They are never sold to third parties.
Can I unsubscribe from MecenUS?
Yes You can also delete your account at any time. This does not affect any donations you have already made, nor your tax receipts, which remain valid.
How to contact MecenUS
You can contact us using the form on the platform: https://mecenus.com/contact/
