philanthropy.

In an ever-changing world, philanthropists are constantly rethinking their approach to giving.
At Lombard Odier, we believe philanthropy can be a tool to turn today’s challenges into opportunities, to make a positive impact from a social, human and environmental perspective.

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philanthropy at Lombard Odier.

At Lombard Odier, we employ a pragmatic framework for effective philanthropic action, and we support our clients in translating their aspirations into concrete, measurable change.

Since Lombard Odier’s creation in Geneva in 1796, our primary mission has been to help our clients preserve, grow and pass on their assets to future generations. This pioneering spirit, openness and accountability have shaped our vision, business and community.

Responsibility and investing for the long term are fundamental to Lombard Odier – a Firm owned entirely by its Managing Partners, who are entrepreneurs, owners and managers. Community and sustainability are also paramount – these values resonate with those of our Group corporate foundation, Fondation Lombard Odier, and define our approach to philanthropy.

In honour of Fondation Lombard Odier’s 20th anniversary, we met with some of our partner organisations to discuss past achievements and future projects. Watch our video with experts from the Zoological Society of London, the International Committee of the Red Cross, Swiss Foundations and the Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art Genève:

Fondation Lombard Odier.

Fondation Lombard Odier is the Group’s corporate foundation. A Swiss charitable vehicle, its mission is to transform the philanthropic aspirations of Lombard Odier’s Managing Partners into on-the-ground action, while capitalising on the unique expertise of a global group that is a leader in wealth and asset management.

The Foundation funds innovative solutions to address the most pressing challenges in the humanitarian and environmental sectors. Our objective is to work with quality partners and offer global support that goes beyond simply the financial. We aspire to bring together transformative responses to social, human and environmental challenges. Fostering innovative financing solutions is an integral part of our philanthropic approach.

Fondation Lombard Odier is a long-standing partner of the ICRC (International Committee of the Red Cross) and works to help the humanitarian sector meet the many challenges it faces. Likewise, convinced of the positive power of education, innovation and technology, the Foundation was engaged in a strategic collaboration with . In addition, the Foundation supports other partners in protecting and restoring the environment.

In keeping with Lombard Odier’s historic roots in the region, the Foundation is committed to supporting both local and wider initiatives in Geneva, actively participates in domestic and international exchange platforms and is a strategic partner of the University of Geneva’s Centre for Philanthropy.

download our annual report

philanthropic advice.

More than 225 years of experience has taught us that giving is as rewarding as it is challenging. We have developed our philanthropy advisory offering to share our long-standing philanthropy tradition with our clients, so they can benefit from the experience and expertise we have acquired.

We help our clients develop philanthropy strategies that meet their aspirations. We also help with decision-making and structuring when it comes to making lifetime gifts in order to leave a lasting legacy. When clients want to ensure security for their family, build a personal legacy or maximise the catalytic effect of their philanthropy, our role is to support them in structuring, planning and managing their assets.

This strong spirit of philanthropy encourages us to continue to offer this model, as it fulfils donors’ needs for wealth planning as well as the wishes of younger generations of donors to become actively involved in tackling humanitarian, social and environmental challenges¹

Denis Pittet
Lombard Odier Group Managing Partner and Chairman of Fondation Philanthropia

The bank’s Philanthropy Services team offers clients the full benefit of its extensive experience and numerous philanthropic approaches and achievements, operating at the crossroads of philanthropy and wealth management to offer tailored support, a full range of services and turnkey solutions to help clients design and realise their philanthropic strategies.

our resources.

A Donor’s Guide to Children and Youth PDF (3.35 MB)

A Donor’s Guide to the Environment PDF (5.21 MB)

A Donor’s Guide to Cancer PDF (2.4 MB)

Fondation Philanthropia.

Founded in 2008, Fondation Philanthropia is one of Lombard Odier’s philanthropic services’ pillars. It was born from an observation: many people are looking for a quick and easy-to-use solution to structure their philanthropic projects without having to create a new grant-making foundation, which is often time-consuming and can involve significant administrative expense.

Fondation Philanthropia is an umbrella foundation based in Switzerland. It offers our clients a turnkey solution for structuring their philanthropic projects. It supports donors either by financing multi-donor projects, through so-called ‘thematic’ funds, or by creating donor-advised funds for individual philanthropists. The Foundation takes care of all the administrative, accounting and legal aspects, while capitalising on pooled costs and facilitating the sharing of experience, so that donors can devote themselves exclusively to their philanthropic mission and maximise the impact of their donations.

Our approach is to define the best philanthropic structure and strategy based on aims and means. The umbrella foundation allows for services to be pooled. It meets the needs of the older generation as well as those of a young director of a multinational company, for example, who would like to rely on an existing structure²

Dr. Maximilian Martin
Global Head of Philanthropy at the Lombard Odier Group

Backed by Lombard Odier, Fondation Philanthropia is underpinned by over 225 years of the Group’s experience, helping donors to achieve their philanthropic ambitions and ensuring clear and robust structures are in place so that donors’ wishes are respected through the generations.

The Foundation covers most fields of philanthropy, including art and culture, social justice, education, the environment and medical research.

In November 2023, Fondation Philanthropia was awarded the prestigious Grand Mécène de la Culture française award to recognise the philanthropic endeavours of the Group’s clients in enabling the restoration of three symbolic monuments at the Château de Versailles: the Latone Basin, the Grand Trianon and the Royal Chapel.

We are grateful for the philanthropic commitment of our clients. In a challenging world, it is important to foster and facilitate philanthropy for the public good. The restoration of this cultural and architectural symbol, represented by the Château de Versailles, is a fine example of philanthropic commitment: it is an act of generosity whose impact and power benefit everyone³

Anne-Marie de Weck
Vice-President of Fondation Philanthropia

download our annual report

45+

Donor-advised funds created

>161mn

in donations received (CHF)

>90mn

in donations provided (CHF)

400+

organisations supported around the world

philanthropy insights.

where we are.

Our heritage is Swiss, yet our outlook and mind set are resolutely international. With over 25 offices globally, we are able to serve our clients all over the world.

private clients.asset management.technology for banking.external asset managers.

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¹ Tackling the challenges of today through philanthropy | Denis Pittet | Lombard Odier
² Philanthropie: ne tuons pas l’incitation fiscale | Allnews
³ Lombard Odier: la Fondation Philanthropia distinguée Grand Mécène de la Culture française | Allnews

philanthropy.

philanthropy at Lombard Odier.

Fondation Lombard Odier.

philanthropic advice.

our resources.

Fondation Philanthropia.

philanthropy insights.

Celebrating its 20th anniversary: Fondation Lombard Odier launches funding programme for international environmental projects

Lombard Odier partners with the Van Buuren Museum & Gardens Foundation

Swiss Fondation Philanthropia named "Grand Mécène de la Culture française"

Three key ways to revitalise investment and support mental health. What’s next for Philanthropy and Impact Investing?

Lombard Odier and UNICEF publish Donor’s Guide to Children

The Royal Chapel at Versailles gilded once more, courtesy of Swiss generosity

Our top tips on how philanthropy can save the planet – an interview with our Global Head of Philanthropy, Dr Maximillian Martin

How innovative finance can support Human Rights - Interview with Peter Maurer, President of the ICRC

Lombard Odier launches Donor Brief on Mental Health in Association with the WHO Foundation

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