PRESS RELEASE
30 January 2023
Organisations funded by public charity
FRENCH FEDERATION OF CARDIOLOGY
The French Federation of Cardiology (FFC), a non-profit organisation governed by the law of
1901 and created in 1964, has been recognised as a public-interest organisation since 1977.
It brings together 27 independent regional cardiology associations, spread throughout the
country, mainly around the following actions: preventing cardiovascular diseases,
promoting cardiology research, providing information on life-saving techniques, and helping
with the rehabilitation of patients. With the jurisdiction to audit the use of funds of
organisations appealing for public donations, the Court of Accounts investigated a period
spanning the terms of office of two presidents of the federation (2017-2021). Over this
period, although several modernisation projects were launched, the one on strategic
thinking is still to be carried out, as the federation is developing its programmes unequally,
and leaving part of the funds raised unused.
Social programmes strongly affected by the health crisis and unequal development of
actions
The cardiovascular disease prevention programme, where spending fell by 45% between 2016
and 2021, has been heavily affected by the health crisis. The programme for funding cardiology
research has been professionalised over the period, while taking on an increasing role in 2019
and 2020. All research projects are now selected following calls for proposals by the scientific
committee; the challenge now lies in restoring rigorous monitoring of their progress over time.
However, the fact-finding mission was not very dynamic.
An incomplete overhaul of the statutes, and strategic thinking on the use of funds and
reserves to be accelerated
In this context, the federation needs to clarify its strategy and prioritise its actions in order to
give a clear message to donors about what it intends to promote. Its strategic plan must be
translated into an action plan with a precise timetable and budget forecasts. Especially since
the FFC
’
s cash position, which was already high before the health crisis, has increased
significantly over the last two financial years (€2
4 million in 2020-2021) due to the combined
effect of the drop in expenditure on social programmes and the increase in funds raised, in
proportions that the health crisis does not fully explain. In line with the strategic thinking to be
carried out, this cash flow level requires not only that expenditure on social programmes be
commensurate with the funds raised, but also that the federation has a policy of investing its
reserves.
In addition, the necessary reform of the statutes was blocked by strategic disagreements and
tensions within the Board of Directors, and by the federation
’
s reluctance to change its
governance by putting more focus on associative democracy. It must be completed quickly.
An annual use-of-funds statement whose cost allocation rules slightly overestimate the
magnitude of social programmes, and internal audits to be strengthened
The appendices to the use-of-funds statements set out the principles for allocating expenses
exclusively or partially to social programmes, fundraising costs and operating costs, which
constitute a frame of reference for the FFC. However, this frame of reference has not always
been followed, which has led to an overestimation of the social programmes ratio. In addition,
compliance with the objectives set out in donation appeals has not been systematic due to
technical difficulties. Furthermore, the Court
’
s audit revealed inconsistencies between the
accounts and the financial information published for several financial years. This is all the more
problematic as some of them had been indicated in previous reports.
Finally, despite the recommendations made in several audits, the federation
’
s current
management still lacks a risk management system. The audits conducted during the Court
’
s
investigation highlighted numerous anomalies which demonstrate a lack of internal control. In
addition, the federation, which has begun to take greater account of ethical issues in its
operations, must complete this process.
Dynamic fundraising, but insufficient implementation of obligations related to the
protection of donors
’
personal data
The donations received (excluding legacies and gifts) has increased by 13% since the 2018-2019
financial year reaching €6.5 million at the end of June 2021, at the expense of a 15% increase
in fundraising costs over the period under review. The service provider rigorously manages the
processing of donations and the issue of tax receipts, and access to the donor database shows
a satisfactory level of security. However, there are still gaps in the compliance with the GDPR
as regards obtaining consent and the data retention period.
Read the report
PRESS CONTACT:
Julie Poissier
◼
Head of Press Relations
◼
T 06 87 36 52 21
◼
julie.poissier@ccomptes.fr
@Courdescomptes
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