With events held on both sides of the Atlantic, the ESCP Foundation has marked a new chapter in its history with the launch of its first-ever major fundraising campaign: Rising Together
From Paris to New York: our international community rises
On May 28, the ESCP Foundation hosted its first-ever Fundraising Gala in New York City as a part of the international rollout of its Rising Together campaign. Held at a private club in Manhattan, the gala brought together 140 guests, including alumni and their guests, alongside corporate sponsors and friends of the ESCP Foundation.
The event followed the Paris launch event on May 15 at the Bourse de Commerce. With an ambitious goal of raising €100 million by 2029, Rising Together is the most significant capital campaign in the Foundation’s history and a vital lever for ESCP’s future.
Celebrating what the ESCP Foundation makes possible
Over a dazzling evening in New York, guests experienced a blend of elegance and emotion, as well as a celebration of everything the Foundation makes possible at ESCP. Throughout the night, guests heard powerful and inspiring messages from:
- Prof. Léon Laulusa – Executive President & Dean, ESCP Business School
- Jean-Stéphane Arcis – President, ESCP Foundation
- Brynhild Dumas – Executive Director, ESCP Foundation
- Prof. Francesco Rattalino – EVP and Dean of Academic Affairs, ESCP Business School
- Prof. Véronique Tran – EVP of Executive Education & Corporate Relations, ESCP Business School
- Anaïs Ravet – Executive Director for General Affairs & Chief of Staff, Dean’s Office, ESCP Business School
- Prof. Sylvain Bureau – Professor of Entrepreneurship & Innovation, ESCP Business School
The Foundation was also honoured by the presence of Mr Cédrik Fouriscot, Consul General of France in New York, whose attendance reinforced the event’s international significance.
Moving stories from students Nardjes Bekkaye, Noah Berthelot, and Deborah Prigent made the human impact of the Foundation’s work visible and reminded every guest why this campaign matters.
The gala resulted in $500,000 in immediate donations and pledges, contributing directly to the campaign’s ambitious target and affirming the global community’s commitment to ESCP’s future.
Powerful testimonials from ESCP scholarship students
Rising Together: a shared commitment to ESCP’s growth
“Rising Together” is a collective movement. Students, alumni, corporate partners, and friends of ESCP are joining forces to support the School’s mission of shaping accountable, bold and creative leaders for a rapidly evolving world. It is a shared commitment to the future of ESCP—and the values that define it: excellence, access, innovation, and internationalism.
“This campaign marks a turning point,” said Jean-Stéphane Arcis. “It is an unprecedented mobilisation to give ESCP the resources it needs to match its ambitions.”
More than €41 million in donations and pledges had already been secured at the time of launch—a powerful sign of momentum from alumni, corporate partners, and friends of the School.
Prof. Laulusa reinforced the campaign’s purpose. “The ESCP Foundation’s campaign is a vital lever for driving ESCP’s transformation. Together, we reaffirm our commitment to social inclusion, academic innovation, and global impact.”
A legacy of impact, a lever for future ambitions
Created in 2005 by a group of committed alumni and recognised as a public-interest foundation (FRUP) since 2012, the ESCP Foundation fuels transformative ESCP initiatives in four strategic areas: equal opportunity and inclusion, student experience, academic excellence, and entrepreneurship. It has already supported thousands of students, major institutional milestones, and initiatives at ESCP.
The next chapter and campaign will focus on scaling that impact. It will play a pivotal role in ESCP’s 2026-2030 Strategy: Bold & United. Through Rising Together, the Foundation will invest in:
- Faculty & Research: recruiting 100 international professors, creating 30 new Chairs, and funding research and innovation across key fields
- Student Experience: increasing scholarships by 30%, expanding entrepreneurship support, and enhancing learning environments across all six campuses
As this global movement gains momentum, the Foundation invites everyone—alumni, students, partners, and friends—to help shape ESCP’s future. The message is clear: When ESCP rises, we all rise.
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