The Forum des Fondations, the biennial meeting of the philanthropy sector in French-speaking Switzerland, was well attended. The focus was on the role of foundations in relation to the state and the courage to make conscious decisions. It became clear: Anyone claiming to have an impact on society must also take transparency and commitment seriously.
Around 320 representatives of the Swiss foundation world gathered at IMD Lausanne at the end of May. The new Managing Director of SwissFoundations, Jasmina Ritz, opened the forum. She emphasized that the foundation sector is currently undergoing major changes: Public demands, technological transformation and an uncertain environment call for new answers.
Caricature as a message
A pointed prelude was then provided by the “free view” of political cartoonist Patrick Chappatte, who commented on current topics in world affairs and philanthropy with sharp wit. He showed a precise, uncensored view of current social issues. Cartoons function like a modern message in a bottle, raising questions and placing messages. Incidentally, as President of the Freedom Cartoonists Foundation, Chappatte presents the international “Kofi Annan Courage in Cartooning Award” for courageous cartoonists every year.
In the subsequent panel discussion, a panel moderated by Prof. Nicolas Duvoux discussed the cooperation between the state and foundations. Under the title “Is the state retreating?”, Duvoux, Martine Brunschwig Graf, Philippe Demierre and Andrea Studer summarized the views of the state and foundations.
Clear roles, red lines
The consensus was that foundations should not take on any original state tasks, but also that they should not start any projects that they later leave to the state. Martine Brunschwig Graf, President of the Fondation pour l’adaptation de la Genève internationale, called for more transparency from foundations – tax exemption entails clear accountability obligations. Andrea Studer, Managing Director of Fondation Botnar, appealed to the courage of foundations to consistently stand up for their values and at the same time reinvent themselves flexibly. The changed situation also demands new answers – including from foundations. Fribourg’s Director of Health Philippe Demierre confirmed that the state is indeed dependent on such new answers or “research services”.
Overall, the impression remained that there is agreement on the basic issues, but concrete results must first follow. A joint plan for future cooperation was not presented – words should now be quickly followed by action.
The program was rounded off with a presentation of the new 2026 Foundation Report on the status in 2025 and some highlights of legal disputes in the foundation environment that were brought before the Federal Supreme Court, mostly disagreements among foundation boards. The final contribution – a discussion on generational diversity on the Board of Trustees – then shed light on this topic in a preventative manner. Louise Dermange, member of the Board of Trustees at Fondation Leenaards, emphasized the importance of a diverse Board of Trustees with different opinions and a good culture of discussion.
From words to deeds
Overall, the forum left the impression that the will for stronger cooperation between politics and the foundation world is there, but that this alliance still has to prove itself in practice. In the concluding summary, SwissFoundations board member Sabrina Grassi, Managing Director of Fondation Leenaards, emphasized once again that action must now be taken. She called on the participants to underpin the principles discussed with concrete steps within “100 days”. So let’s get to work!
