Invest in Evidence
Corporate mecenat — the tradition of structured philanthropic giving by companies — is the primary funding mechanism for CROWN’s research infrastructure. Unlike transactional sponsorship, mecenat invests in long-term institutional capacity: the CROWN Discrimination Index, the CROWN Hair Commons, clinical validation of the 360° Protocol, and the legislative evidence base that CROWN provides to policymakers across Europe.
Mecenat partners do not buy a service. They invest in a public good — the data infrastructure that makes identity-based discrimination visible, quantifiable, and actionable.
Why Mecenat Matters Now
European corporations face converging pressures. The EU’s Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) requires companies to report on social impact metrics, including diversity and inclusion. The proposed Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD) extends accountability to supply chains. Investors, employees, and regulators increasingly demand evidence — not aspirations — on equality.
Yet the measurement infrastructure does not exist. No standardised European index quantifies hair discrimination. No open dataset captures the experiences of the 150 million Europeans with textured hair. No validated clinical protocol addresses the psychological harm.
CROWN is building this infrastructure. Mecenat partners make it possible.
Partnership Tiers
Platinum Partner — CHF 100,000+
Platinum partners invest at a level that enables transformative research capacity.
Impact: Funds a full year of CDI research operations, including survey deployment across multiple European countries, data analysis, and publication.
Recognition:
- Named acknowledgement in all CROWN research publications for the partnership year
- Priority access to CDI research findings and methodology briefings
- Invitation to CROWN’s annual research symposium
- Dedicated impact report with quantified outcomes
- Logo placement on CROWN’s partners page and annual report
- Direct engagement with CROWN’s research team on questions relevant to the partner’s sector
Gold Partner — CHF 50,000+
Gold partners invest at a level that enables significant programme expansion.
Impact: Funds the development and validation of CDI survey instruments for a specific European country or sector (e.g., financial services, technology, retail).
Recognition:
- Acknowledgement in relevant CROWN research publications
- Access to CDI research briefings
- Invitation to CROWN’s annual research symposium
- Annual impact report
- Logo placement on CROWN’s partners page
Silver Partner — CHF 20,000+
Silver partners invest in CROWN’s operational research capacity.
Impact: Funds data collection infrastructure — survey deployment platforms, secure data storage, anonymisation systems — that underpins all CROWN research.
Recognition:
- Acknowledgement on CROWN’s partners page
- Biannual impact briefing
- Invitation to CROWN research events
Bronze Partner — CHF 5,000+
Bronze partners demonstrate institutional commitment to evidence-based equality.
Impact: Funds specific research activities — literature reviews, statistical analyses, or policy brief production.
Recognition:
- Acknowledgement on CROWN’s partners page
- Annual impact summary
Tax Deductibility
CROWN’s mecenat programme is structured to maximise tax efficiency for corporate donors in both Switzerland and France.
Switzerland
Corporate donations to recognised nonprofit associations in Switzerland are tax-deductible up to 20 percent of net taxable income under federal and most cantonal tax laws. CROWN is constituted as an association au sens des articles 60 et suivants du Code civil suisse, registered in the Canton de Geneve. Partners should consult their tax advisors regarding cantonal variations.
France
CROWN is establishing a French entity (association loi 1901, planned Q3 2026) to facilitate mecenat from French corporations. Under French mecenat rules, corporate donations to qualifying organisations benefit from a tax reduction of 60 percent of the donation amount up to EUR 2 million, and 40 percent above EUR 2 million, within an annual ceiling of 0.5 percent of turnover (or EUR 20,000 for smaller companies, whichever is higher). Unused deductions may be carried forward for five years.
Cross-Border Giving
For corporations headquartered in other European jurisdictions, CROWN can advise on cross-border giving structures. Several European countries recognise donations to qualifying Swiss nonprofits under bilateral agreements. CROWN works with partner advisory firms to ensure tax efficiency.
ESG and CSRD Alignment
CROWN’s mecenat programme is designed to generate outputs that partners can incorporate into their ESG and CSRD reporting.
Quantifiable social impact. Every mecenat contribution produces measurable research outputs — survey respondents reached, data points collected, publications produced, policymakers briefed. These outputs map directly onto CSRD social sustainability disclosures.
Diversity and inclusion metrics. The CDI provides partners with a benchmarking tool that goes beyond self-reported diversity data. CDI assessments produce objective, standardised metrics on discrimination within organisations — exactly what CSRD and ESG frameworks require.
Stakeholder engagement evidence. Mecenat partnerships with CROWN demonstrate meaningful stakeholder engagement on equality issues — engagement that is supported by data, not just statements of intent.
Transparency and Governance
CROWN operates under Swiss association governance requirements. Our statutes mandate that all resources are exclusively allocated to mission delivery. The board serves without compensation. Annual accounts are presented to the general assembly. Mecenat contributions are ring-fenced for the designated research programme and reported against in dedicated impact reports.
Partners receive:
- Confirmation of receipt and tax documentation within 30 days
- Interim impact report at six months
- Comprehensive annual impact report with quantified outcomes
- Direct access to CROWN’s programme directors for questions on allocation and impact
Mecenat Prospectus
A detailed mecenat prospectus, including full programme descriptions, impact metrics, and governance documentation, is available on request.
Download Mécénat Prospectus (PDF) — Forthcoming
Begin a Conversation
To discuss a mecenat partnership, contact CROWN at contact@crown.ngo. We will respond within five business days with a tailored proposal reflecting your organisation’s priorities, sector, and giving capacity.
CROWN’s mecenat programme is not a sponsorship arrangement. It is an investment in the infrastructure that makes equality measurable. The returns are not financial. They are evidential — and they compound.