A group of companies, keen to support IFM's development as an internationally recognized reference in terms of fashion and luxury teaching, set up Cercle IFM.

The funds collected are used to award grants to students, especially foreign students who gain places on the Fashion, Design & Luxury Management Postgraduate Program, or in the Fashion and Accessory Design Postgraduate Program. Cercle IFM also finances grants for high school students and other students to take part in the Summer School.

The grants are awarded by IFM, on decisions taken by the grant's commission that meets at the end of each recruitment sessions.

Thanks to the Cercle IFM, approximately 40 % of the students at the Institut have benefited from grants since the system was put into place in 1995. Around 500 grants have been awarded since Cercle IFM was founded.

The Cercle also provides financial support for the research and publication of academic research carried out by IFM: the quarterly review Mode de Recherche and the publication of books.

In 2012, 15 patron companies and foundations, the stars of French industry and owners of the most prestigious brands, supported IFM: 

Armand Thiery		Chanel		Chloé international
Christian Dior Couture		Disneyland Paris		Fondation Pierre Bergé-Yves Saint Laurent
Fondation d'Entreprise Hermès		Galeries Lafayette		Groupe Etam
Kenzo		Louis vuitton		L'ORÉAL DIVISION PRODUITS DE LUXE
LE PRINTEMPS		VIVARTE		YVES SAINT LAURENT

In line with article 238bis c of the Code Général des Impôts, donations to non-profit making teaching establishments are eligible for a 60% reduction in corporate tax.