- Philanthropy has an important role to play in building the resilience and prosperity of our societies, for the benefit of all.
- It’s not only about funding: whether through volunteering, sharing expertise or offering networks and skills, there are limitless ways to create positive change.
- Collaboration is key to maximise impact: whether you are a philanthropist, a donor or an entrepreneur, the Julius Baer Foundation offers numerous opportunities to join forces.
Meaningful change starts with one step, one action or one person – someone who nurtures a genuine aspiration to make a difference, leveraging their resources and skills. This is the essence of philanthropy, which has long ‘filled the gaps’: reaching communities where public resources fall short, addressing overlooked issues, and supporting those who might otherwise be left behind. The Julius Baer Foundation seeks to not only fill the gap, but also to bridge the gap. At the heart of this approach is collaboration: for funding, knowledge sharing and impact. You can be part of this journey, making a tangible impact with others by your side.
Below, we invite you to learn more about and be inspired by the experience of two of the Julius Baer Foundation’s co-funders.
A philanthropist’s commitment to driving change
The project Women in plant oil production was founded five years ago by visionary German-Namibian entrepreneur Oliver Rust. With the Julius Baer Foundation’s support, the project is empowering over 1,000 marginalised women to achieve independence through entrepreneurship in plant oil production. Patrizia Stalder, a Julius Baer client and philanthropist, has been instrumental in sustaining this thriving initiative through her donations and active engagement, while aligning with her values and philanthropic goals.
Patrizia with several of the women involved in "Women in plant oil production".
Q: Patrizia, what motivated you to get involved with a project of the Julius Baer Foundation?
After receiving an inheritance, I felt the desire to invest parts of it in a meaningful cause.
Through the Foundation, I found a project in Africa that empowered women to become entrepreneurs – an area I deeply care about. I wanted to engage in an initiative that supported women to be independent. I wanted to be involved in a ‘start-up initiative’ where I could act as a catalyst and witness the development firsthand. It was also important that I could visit the project and see it for myself. I could feel how connected the Foundation was to the projects and their founders. Becoming a part of that network and connecting with the project leaders was a natural and integral part of my participation.
Q: The Julius Baer Foundation supports projects that link the economically privileged and the disadvantaged, enabling wins for both. What is your personal win?
This pro bono work balances my professional life. Here, the focus is not on profit, but rather deciphering problems, understanding them and finding a solution. It is wonderful, fulfilling work that I am grateful to have time for.
After my first visit to Namibia, I learnt about the association here in Switzerland called ‘Jojoba für Afrika’, which directly supports the project, and I eventually became an active board member. This work has enriched me with so much knowledge about another country, culture, and its people. I have built so many relationships and friendships that I would not have formed in any other way. It is a fulfilling way to experience unique and enriching encounters while helping to reduce inequalities.
Empowering HIV positive adolescents through healthcare and skills
In Malawi, Partner in Health (APZU) empowers HIV positive adolescents with proper medical care, mental coaching, vocational training and access to job opportunities. Thanks to the co-funding and collaboration between the Julius Baer Foundation and the Leopold Bachmann Foundation, the project is thriving. For the Leopold Bachmann Foundation, all individuals should be given the opportunity to acquire knowledge and develop their skills so they can build a life based on self-determination and make valuable contributions to their communities and to society. Their goals perfectly match Julius Baer Foundation’s mission to reduce wealth inequality by fostering mechanisms to facilitate upper social mobility.
Education is a key enabler for both organisations, which are now leveraging joint resources and expertise, maximising the impact for the youth involved in APZU’s programme. The Leopold Bachmann Foundation’s Managing Director Judith Scherrer explains her key motivations for partnering with the Foundation.
Q. Judith, what motivated you to collaborate with and co-fund a project with the Julius Baer Foundation?
The Julius Baer Foundation’s values, thematic focus, and the country where the project operates aligned perfectly with our strategy. The professionalism and strong collaboration with the Foundation’s Head of Programmes, along with their proven track record, made it an ideal partner.
Q. What value do you see from such a collaboration and from joining forces with the Julius Baer Foundation?
The opportunity for mutual learning through the co-funding was invaluable. Pooling resources allowed us to create a greater impact.
Q. What attracted you to the project you are co-funding? Is addressing inequalities something your Foundation cares about?
We had funds available and a clear goal to invest in Malawi in the same thematic area as the Julius Baer Foundation. But we did not have the required HR resources to look for a partner to implement the project. So, this co-funding opportunity was a win-win for both Foundations.
Learn more about the Partner in Health project here.
A group of teenagers gathered as part of the Malawi 'Partner in Health' (APZU) initiative.
Striving together for a world of equal opportunities
Today the philanthropy sector counts over 260,000 foundations worldwide and is growing strong and fast. As an effect of globalisation, philanthropists across the world recognise that the problems we face are too complex to be solved through individual actions and are searching for broader collaboration to increase the available capital, share skills and resources to develop innovative solutions, and maximise positive impact for the communities involved. The Julius Baer Foundation is committed to this collaborative approach to reduce wealth inequality.
Over the years, the Foundation has recognised that only a multi-stakeholder approach can generate sustainable and structural change and is committed to bringing together different actors to co-design, co-create, co-fund, co-measure, co-research and co-learn – opening new pathways for upward social mobility together.
How can you join us in making a difference?
Making a difference is not only about funding. By investing time, or sharing expertise, offering networking opportunities – social capital - or even launching new philanthropic ideas, you can join us in making an impact.
In this spirit, all Julius Baer Foundation programmes are designed to bring socio-economically disadvantaged and privileged groups together, fostering equal opportunities through shared knowledge and networks.
Whether you are a philanthropist, a potential donor or an entrepreneur wanting to address the issue of wealth inequality, the path to reducing the wealth divide lies in collective action and the opportunities to engage are many.
Explore seven ways to become a co-funder of the Julius Baer Foundation. Every donation goes directly to projects, as Bank Julius Baer covers all overhead costs. If you are a client of Bank Julius Baer, your donation counts double: Julius Baer matches all received donations up to CHF 1 million per annum.
- Multiply your impact: Donate to one of the established projects in our portfolio that have proven impact.
- Focus your impact: Donate to one of the early-stage projects in our portfolio.
- Extend a project: Co-fund a project reaching the end of our grant period by donating to help renew its support.
- Design a project: Help to design a project by sharing with us an innovative organisation that addresses wealth inequality.
- Overall donation: Make a donation to support the Foundation’s goals.
- Legacy donation: Plan your long-term philanthropic legacy around a cause of your choice.
- Business collaborations with social impact: Explore a potential business partnership between your enterprise and a project in our portfolio.
About the Julius Baer Foundation
For nearly 60 years, the Julius Baer Foundation has been dedicated to making meaningful and impactful contributions to society. Established in 1965 by Walter J. Bär (1895-1970), the grant foundation of the Julius Baer Group has a long and celebrated tradition of philanthropic engagement, from supporting art and culture, various sciences, and charitable causes to collaborating with non-profit organisations that share our ethos. Over the years, it has expanded its presence and reach, and assisted in founding the Julius Baer Stiftung Deutschland – the second grant-making entity of the Julius Baer Group – in 2019.
The Julius Baer Foundation supports the Bank’s purpose of creating value beyond wealth by contributing to a more equitable world. Our work focuses on reducing wealth inequality and convene the leading thinkers and actors on wealth inequality. We support projects around the world that drive change and have the potential to inspire others, united in one common approach: that the disadvantaged and the privileged work together, to share their knowledge and networks, and thereby create equal opportunities.
The quest of minimising wealth inequality can seem overwhelming. But by joining forces it is possible to achieve change. The beauty is that there are unlimited ways to play a role and make a difference every day. The projects offer different opportunities for engagement, matching different interests and focus of action: from women empowerment to children’s education, optimising sustainable recycling supply chains to increasing fair housing and equality in real estate. The Foundation welcomes collaboration with other philanthropists, foundations, entrepreneurs and researchers who aim to be part of the solution to the ever-widening wealth divide.