History of the Fondation

In 1928, Winnaretta Singer, princesse de Polignac, initiated the foundation that bears her name, thus giving a legal frame to her long-term patronizing activities in favour of the arts, letters and sciences. The Fondation Singer-Polignac was created by law on 25th March 1928 and the decree of the 17th October 1928 endorsed Winnaretta's endowment to the French state. The income of the capital was intended to support the activities defined by the statutes of the foundation. After the death of the princess, the Fondation inherited her Paris mansion and moved into it in 1945.

The Fondation does not get any subsidy from the French state, it operates only with Winnaretta Singer-Polignac's fund.