AXA IM has launched its global philanthropy programme, bringing its philanthropic funding sources, scientific research funding and volunteering efforts across all countries together under one umbrella programme for the first time.
The programme is designed to empower sustainable futures through a three-fold approach.
Climate resilience and inclusion for communities is one part of the approach, which means engaging with charities that support those communities most negatively affected by climate change to ensure fair access to resources and opportunities. These initiatives encompass projects focused on housing, healthcare, access to renewable energy and poverty alleviation.
Education for future generations and protecting biodiversity are the other aims of the programme, with a target funding of €1.8m in 2025, up from €1.6m in 2024.
AXA IM has also established a philanthropy committee to oversee and make decisions regarding its charitable commitments, deploying funds and designing the roadmap of activities and employee engagement opportunities.
The committee is chaired by Marie Bogataj, AXA’s global head of communications, CSR and ESG development. It also includes representatives from the management board, namely Isabelle Scemama, global head of alts, and Marion Le Morhedec, global head of fixed income.
Bogataj commented: “We have committed to playing a role in society – as a business, as an employer and as an investor. It is important to take a further step, in terms of impact and transparency, by bringing together our full array of philanthropic efforts under a single roof and to position our approach around a theme aligned with our activities – ‘Empowering Sustainable Futures’.”
According to AXA, the firm will continue to dedicate 5% of the management fees from selected impact strategies across listed and private markets, to support charities and projects connected to the programme’s theme, in critical areas such as healthcare, climate change and biodiversity.
Local teams will endorse charities for selection by the philanthropy committee following what AXA describes as “a rigorous selection process”, and employees will be placed “at the heart” of the programme through internal engagement and volunteering opportunities.
The programme will also continue to support academic research, including the funding of academic institutions, researchers and programmes such as the chair on sustainable finance and leadership at ESSEC Business School, and the AXA Research Lab on Climate Change: Politics, Philosophy and Economics with LUISS University.
