Change through Trust
The Irene M. Staehelin (IMS) Foundation strives to bring to life the vision of its founder, Irène M. Staehelin-Schindler, by addressing global challenges and enhancing the lives of those in greatest need.
Our vision is a just, inclusive, and sustainable world where human rights are upheld, communities thrive, and nature is protected for future generations.
Our mission is to support initiatives through partnerships that drive lasting impact in humanitarian aid, human and women’s rights, sustainable development and nature & species protection.
Our impact areas
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Humanitarian Aid
Through our support for humanitarian aid, we aim to save lives, uphold dignity, and alleviate suffering for those affected by conflicts, natural disasters, and emergencies.
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Human and
Women’s RightsThrough our support for human and women’s rights, we strive to strengthen a resilient and inclusive human rights and social justice movement, empowering communities to understand and assert their rights, and seek justice for rights violations.
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Development
Through our support for development, we work to enhance livelihoods and improve the well-being of marginalised communities, with a special focus on women and indigenous people.
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Nature and Species Protection
Through our support for nature and species protection, we aim to protect landscapes and species, and enhance the livelihood of the communities who live and safeguard the landscape, in order to safeguard biodiversity and the planetary health for improving the wellbeing and rights of people who live in these landscapes.
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Special Projects
Outside of the four impact areas, we also allocate funding to initiatives of special importance to the Founder or the Foundation Board.
As a non-profit foundation, we support projects, organisations, institutions and movements globally in selected countries.
Since 2020, we have partnered with impactful organisations working to create lasting change in humanitarian aid, human and women’s rights, development or nature and species protection. Our funding also continues to support causes Irène M. Staehelin started during her life and fit in the thematic definition she made in her will. All causes ensure her legacy lives on through projects that make a tangible difference in the world.