Letter from Bea Martin and Tom Hall
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.
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
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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.
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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