How the new Spheriq umbrella foundation aims to do things differently

The new Spheriq umbrella foundation aims to make philanthropy easier and collaborative funding more effective. In this interview, the three members of the foundation’s board—Thomas Sprecher, Barbara Rigassi, and Lukas von Orelli—explain how they plan to achieve this through fully digital endowment funds and new opportunities for collaboration.

Through the Spheriq Umbrella Foundation, individuals and organizations can establish their own endowment funds with custom names and charitable purposes—all entirely online: from opening the fund to making contributions and grants, right through to closing the fund. At the same time, the new foundation enables funding organizations and other stakeholders to easily pool their resources and collaboratively support funding initiatives using digital tools.

Behind the umbrella foundation is the Swiss Digital Philanthropy Association, which aims to drive digital innovation in the Swiss foundation sector. Spheriq AG serves as its technology and operational partner. We spoke with the three members of the foundation’s board of trustees about their motivation for establishing the foundation, the potential of digitalization, and new forms of collaboration.

Switzerland already has numerous umbrella foundations. Why is another one needed? How does the Spheriq Umbrella Foundation plan to do things differently?

Thomas Sprecher: The existing umbrella foundations do valuable work. We’re supplementing their offerings with a fully digital and particularly accessible option. Our goal is to reach people and organizations for whom setting up their own endowment fund has been too time-consuming or too costly up to now.

What changes when a foundation fund can be set up and managed entirely online? What new opportunities does this create?

Barbara Rigassi: Giving is becoming easier, faster, and more affordable. Anyone who wants to support a charitable cause can focus on that cause instead of dealing with administrative tasks. Digitalization is thus making giving accessible to many more people.

The umbrella foundation also aims to facilitate joint funding. Where do you see particular potential in what is known as “funding pooling”?

Lukas von Orelli: Many foundations pursue similar goals but operate largely independently of one another. If they pool their resources and expertise, they can tackle larger projects together and with even greater impact. Spheriq also provides the digital tools needed for this—from coordinating joint grant-making processes to shared reporting. This makes collaboration easier without having to set up new structures every time.

How much freedom should a foundation’s own endowment fund offer—and where does the umbrella foundation set limits on that freedom?

Thomas Sprecher: The Spheriq umbrella foundation offers a great deal of flexibility: Its mission encompasses all standard charitable causes. For example, anyone who wishes to support Pro Juventute, Pro Senectute, or the Swiss National Park can easily do so through their own endowment fund. The donors themselves determine which causes they wish to support. The umbrella foundation ensures that the funds are used lawfully and for charitable purposes.

Spheriq offers a wide range of grant-making areas as well as numerous vetted nonprofit organizations and projects. What added value does this curated selection offer donors?

Barbara Rigassi: Anyone who wants to make a difference with their endowment fund needs to thoroughly research which organizations or projects are suitable. On spendenschweiz.ch, Spheriq’s donation platform, donors can find inspiration, discover suitable funding opportunities, and provide direct support. In just a few clicks, a personal desire to support a cause can turn into a concrete commitment.

The Swiss Digital Philanthropy Association is behind the umbrella foundation. What does this association hope to achieve beyond the establishment of the umbrella foundation?

Thomas Sprecher: The umbrella foundation is our first concrete initiative. Swiss Digital Philanthropy aims to advance the digital transformation of the nonprofit sector as a whole. To this end, we promote exchange and networking, share knowledge, and develop professional development opportunities. In the future, we hope to see even better and broader use of digital opportunities in philanthropy, giving, and grantmaking.

Numerous grant-making foundations and members of SwissFoundations are involved in the association and at Spheriq. Why is it important for digital infrastructure to be developed by the nonprofit sector?

Lukas von Orelli: Spheriq is an initiative from the sector, for the sector. What’s crucial is that we understand the needs of both sides: those of grant-making foundations as well as those of nonprofit organizations. Spheriq brings together impact and funding on a shared digital infrastructure—from finding suitable partners to processing grant applications, collaboration, and reporting. This creates not just digital tools, but better conditions for effective grantmaking and sustainable grant relationships.