Letter from Bea Martin and Tom Hall

Portrait of Beatriz Martin Jimenez, Chair UBS Optimus Foundation board
Portrait of Tom Hall, CEO UBS Optimus Foundation

The UBS Optimus network of foundations works in partnership with donors and implementing organizations to create lasting change through philanthropy by addressing root causes, shifting how resources flow, strengthening local implementation capacity, and fostering more collaborative approaches for meaningful outcomes.

In a world marked by increasing volatility and widening gaps between global needs and available resources, the question is no longer whether capital can make a difference, but how effectively it is directed to have a positive impact on people’s lives globally. Capital must therefore be put to work more creatively – by unlocking, de-risking and allocating it to support solutions that endure. This conviction has long guided the UBS Optimus Foundation, and in the context of an increasingly complex global environment and economic pressures, it has become more relevant than ever – particularly as clients navigate heightened uncertainty and look for trusted ways to deploy capital with clarity, purpose and measurable impact.

The need – and the speed – at which innovative and blended financing solutions must be developed has never been greater. In response, we have continued to strengthen the Foundation’s positioning as a platform capable of structuring, testing and scaling new approaches that can unlock capital at pace and direct it to where it is needed most.

Against this backdrop, 2025 was a year of strong progress, continued sharpening of our approach, and a historic level of philanthropic capital raised. During the year, the UBS Optimus Foundation mobilized a record USD 472 million in donations, including UBS matching contributions (up from USD 366 million in 2024). This put us ahead of schedule in reaching our ambition to mobilize USD 400 million annually by 2027. The Foundation also committed USD 461 million in grants (up from USD 310 million in 2024), reinforcing its role as a leading platform for large-scale, impact-driven philanthropy.

This momentum was driven by growing client engagement and an expanding pipeline of strong partners bringing forward compelling, scalable solutions. Initiatives such as the Resilio Fund, as well as the successful final closing of the SDG Outcomes Fund in 2025, illustrated how catalytic and anchor funding can help establish early credibility, reduce perceived risk and crowd in additional capital – demonstrating the important role philanthropy can play in accelerating impact.

At the same time, we continued to strengthen how we deploy our resources – identifying the programs and partners with the greatest potential for system-level change, particularly where first-risk capital can unlock progress. We also deepened our focus on the role of emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence, both in strengthening our own operations and in supporting partners to harness these tools in ways that can accelerate delivery and increase reach and effectiveness. To provide clarity, accountability and insight into where capital can create the greatest difference, we continued to strengthen the systems behind our work in 2025 – from our impact rating tool to our data architecture – enabling our partners, clients and communities to gain better insights into our progress.

Alongside this, we are strengthening our partnerships and expanding our footprint, with growing momentum in regions such as Latin America and through the 2025 expansion of the UBS Optimus Foundation client offering in the US. This creates new opportunities to scale impact.

Taken together, these developments position the UBS Optimus Foundation strongly to continue mobilizing capital more effectively and supporting clients with confidence.

Across climate, education and health, we focused on solutions to some of the most pressing challenges – including environmental change, learning disparities and gaps in essential services. We prioritized scalable approaches that deliver measurable and durable impact, working with partners that combine deep local knowledge with strong delivery capability, and focusing on solutions grounded in sound evidence, practical experience and a realistic path to durability.

This meant supporting models that aim to strengthen systems, build local capacity and contribute to longer term improvements rather than isolated, short term interventions.

Three choices shaped the direction of the Foundation in 2025: 

  1. Focusing where our catalytic influence is strongest.
    We sharpened our thematic priorities – particularly in climate and nature, foundational learning and youth mental health – leaning into areas where evidence, partner demand and client interest converge. 
  2. Building alliances capable of system level change.
    We expanded multi stakeholder collaborations that bring together governments, philanthropies, private sector actors and communities, creating partnerships that enable scale and shared accountability for results.
  3. Deepening client engagement as a driver of long-term impact. 
    Through UBS Collectives, Giving Circles and thematic journeys, UBS clients had clearer pathways to contribute not only capital, but also expertise, networks and long-term commitment.

None of this progress would have been possible without our partners around the world who deliver impact every day; our clients whose trust and engagement make long-term systems change possible; and our colleagues across the UBS Optimus Foundation network whose dedication continues to shape our mission.

Together, we are building pathways that endure – and a future in which more children, young people and communities can thrive.

Warm regards,

Bea Martin

Group Chief Operating Officer, Group Lead Sustainability and Impact

Tom Hall

Global Head, Social Impact & Philanthropy CEO, UBS Optimus Foundation Network

Key figures

  • USD 472 million

    in donations including matching funds

  • 9.3 million

    people reached including 3 million children

  • 434

    projects supported through 300+ partners across 100+ countries

  • 31

    public–private partnerships advancing solutions beyond pilots to scale

Our focus

Impact at scale

Solutions across education, health, climate and humanitarian response moved from pilots to structured, multi‑stakeholder partnerships shaping outcomes at scale.

Partnerships deepened

Collaboration expanded across regions and themes, enabling alignment between philanthropy, government, private sector actors and communities.

Client engagement strengthened

Collectives, Giving Circles and thematic journeys mobilized capital, expertise and long‑term commitment.

 

Portfolio highlights

USD 84.9m contracted · 59 countries · 63 partners

USD 84.9 million contracted · 59 countries · 63 partners

Partner highlights

  • West Africa Blue
    Restoring coastal ecosystems while strengthening livelihoods through sustainable blue‑economy models.
  • Terratai
    Venture building and catalytic capital for scalable nature‑based enterprises in Asia.
  • Blue economy alliances
    Mobilising finance for coastal resilience, sustainable fisheries and ecosystem protection.  

USD 221 million contracted · 74 countries · 150 partners

Partner highlights

  • CEPE (Colombia)
    Bottom‑up learning alliances strengthening education systems through evidence‑based solutions.
  • Tiny Totos
    Expanding access to quality childcare through community‑based enterprise models.
  • ConveGenius
    Personalized adaptive learning embedded in public education systems at scale.

USD 84.9m contracted · 61 countries · 61 partners

USD 84.9 million contracted · 61 countries · 61 partners

Partner highlights

  • Healthy Learners
    Bringing primary healthcare directly into schools.
  • Penda Health
    Delivering affordable, high‑quality primary healthcare at scale.
  • Youth mental health partners
    Community‑based and culturally appropriate mental health support for young people.

USD 19.1m contracted · 21 countries · 26 partners

USD 19.1 million contracted · 21 countries · 26 partners

Partner highlights

  • Resilio Fund
    Flexible funding enabling faster, locally led crisis response.
  • Amna Refugee Healing Network
    Strengthening mental health systems in crisis and displacement contexts.

Discover more about UBS Optimus Foundation

Disclaimer on Data and Figures

Some figures in this review span multiple thematic areas, such as Climate, Health, and Education, and can reflect contributions from multiple partners. While often a key contributor, the UBS Optimus Foundation network are rarely the sole investor or funder, so credit for outcomes should be rightly shared among all funders of a venture or program. Data sources for this report included Aid Impact, grantee and investee reports, and an annual survey covering the 12-month reporting period of 2024.

Global disclaimer

These materials have been prepared by UBS Group AG and/or a subsidiary or affiliate thereof, which are altogether referred to below as “UBS”. They have not been prepared with regard to any specific investment objectives, financial situation or particular needs of any specific recipient, current client or prospective client. These materials are published solely for informational purposes and are not to be construed as a solicitation or an offer to buy or sell any securities or related financial instruments or services of UBS or to participate in any particular trading strategy endorsed or not endorsed by UBS. Any recipient of these materials should not consider their contents to be either legal, tax, accounting, regulatory, or other specialist or technical advice or service, or investment advice, or a personal recommendation of any kind, whatsoever. No representation or warranty, either express or implied, is provided in relation to the accuracy, completeness or reliability of the information contained in these materials, nor is any of the information herein intended to be a complete statement or summary of the securities markets or other developments referred to in these materials. The information in these materials should not be regarded by any recipient as a substitute for the exercise of their own judgment and any opinions expressed in these materials are subject to change without notice and may differ or be contrary to opinions expressed by other business areas or groups of UBS, which may make different assumptions or rely on different criteria. UBS is under no obligation to update or keep current the information contained in these materials. Neither UBS nor any of its directors, officers, employees, or agents accept any liability for any loss or damage arising out of the use of all or part of these materials or reliance upon the information contained therein. These materials are not for distribution or redistribution, except under such circumstances as may be permitted by UBS and or applicable law. UBS specifically prohibits the redistribution or reproduction of these materials in whole or in part, without the written permission of UBS and UBS accepts no liability whatsoever for the actions of third parties in this respect.

United Kingdom: Social Finance offered through the UBS Optimus Foundation does not refer to an investment product or tradable security. Social Finance products offered through the foundation were created for the sole purpose of philanthropic activities within the UBS Optimus Foundation UK.

The UBS Optimus Foundation is a global network of nine (9) unaffiliated, separately organized and regulated, tax-exempt organizations founded and managed by UBS that engage in a broad range of charitable and philanthropic activities around the world. The entities select partners that seek to improve children’s health, education and safety and address issues that negatively affect the climate and environment. Whenever possible, the foundation seeks to support solutions that have the potential to be transformative, scalable, and sustainable.

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S24 Review Code: IS4758013 Expiration Date: 13/08/2027