Interview with Guido Braschler, Managing Director of the charitable umbrella foundations Accentus, Empiris and Symphasis.

Guido Braschler has been managing the umbrella foundations for ten years. He previously held various positions at Credit Suisse. These roles also took him to India, where he was in charge of various social education projects, among other things.

Why do founders choose an umbrella foundation as a partner?

Founders have various options for pursuing their charitable goals. They can make a donation to the charitable institutions that best match their objectives. Alternatively, they can set up an independent foundation, but this involves considerable effort, both in setting up the foundation and even more so in its subsequent administration. Another option is to join an existing umbrella foundation. You can set up a sub-foundation there and then concentrate on selecting the charitable projects to be supported.

What time and financial outlay can be avoided by choosing an umbrella foundation?

When setting up an independent foundation, it is advisable to seek advice from specialists, as is obtaining tax exemption. Other aspects usually include auditing, accounting and foundation supervision. Last but not least, suitable foundation board members must be recruited, who often work on a voluntary basis. These tasks are eliminated if you opt for an umbrella foundation solution. The umbrella foundation is already established, registered and tax-exempt, and the necessary administration is also ensured. In addition, it can usually provide or procure the necessary expertise to carefully pursue the charitable purposes desired by the founders.

What advantages do the umbrella foundations Accentus, Empiris and Symphasis offer?

They can look back on over 20 years of activity and have a great deal of experience on the Board of Trustees and in the administrative office. Thanks to these many years of activity, the foundations also have a large network and offer founders access to a wide range of project partners. Thanks to the financial support of Credit Suisse, the donated funds can also be used for charitable projects as far as possible.

How can a subfoundation be set up?

A subfoundation can be set up during your lifetime or in your will. The minimum amount is CHF 500,000 and the donation is documented in writing, either by means of a donation agreement or a will. This sets out the details, including the name of the sub-foundation, its purpose, its lifespan and any participation of the founders in the allocation committee.

How is the subfoundation managed?

Once the subfoundation has been established, it becomes part of the Accentus, Empiris or Symphasis family of foundations. The project managers of the umbrella foundations contact suitable charitable institutions and invite them to submit applications for support. These applications must include the project objective, duration and impact as well as a budget. An awards committee decides at regular intervals which projects will be supported. The founders can also be members of the award committee and have a say in the selection of supported projects if they so wish. The entire administration (approvals, rejections, monitoring, transfers) is carried out by the umbrella foundation.

What purposes can be selected for the umbrella foundations?

Thanks to the wide range of purposes of the three umbrella foundations, founders can freely choose the charitable purposes they wish to support and can also combine several purposes.

What aspects of your work do you like?

It is a privilege to talk to prospective founders and work with them to find the right individual foundation purpose for them. Values and life experience play an important role in this, whether it's enthusiasm for a cause, being affected by a life event or a perceived obligation that you want to fulfill because you want to give back a part of your own happiness or success to society. In the sub-foundations that are already active, I have a lively exchange with our founders and the opportunity to work with project partners and also to meet new ones who are highly committed to pursuing charitable causes that correspond to the wishes of our founders.