The topic of territorial social development has gained new relevance in the wake of the “gilets jaunes” movement in France. Since 2013, the Fondation de France has explored the territorial question through the “Territorial Dynamics” program, which is being tested in six territories. The philanthropic institution is going beyond its usual practices, seeking to take into account the specific characteristics of territories as well as the intentionality of actors. Focusing its attention on the ideas of inhabitants and on empowerment (increasing the power to act), the adaptation of its modes of intervention implies that it understands the dominant forms of proximity and the resources that can be activated for each territory.At the conclusion of the experiment with two territorial schemes, “Hors Piste” in the Hautes-Alpes department and “Mine d’idées” in the heart of the mining basin, the analysis helps us to better understand, retroactively, the stance and conditions of the innovative contribution of a strategic philanthropy of proximity.