At the UBS Optimus Foundation, we’re taking a leading role in driving impactful philanthropy that delivers breakthrough solutions for social and environmental issues. Established 25 years ago, we connect philanthropists and impact investors with innovative organizations and social entrepreneurs globally and in the US.
At the UBS Optimus Foundation, we’re taking a leading role in driving impactful philanthropy that delivers breakthrough solutions for social and environmental issues. Established 25 years ago, we connect philanthropists and impact investors with innovative organizations and social entrepreneurs globally and in the US.
The UBS Optimus Foundation is a global network of separately organized and regulated, tax-exempt, charitable organizations, founded by UBS, that provide financial support to non-profits and social impact ventures that are aligned with their values and charitable objectives.
Why work with us
We take an evidence-based approach and focus on programs in health, education and the environment that have the potential to be transformative, scalable and sustainable. We have developed partnerships with organizations in the US that are spearheading real, meaningful improvements in the following key areas:
Education
Providing career readiness and integrated support to students in public schools
Health
Expanding youth mental health services and suicide prevention programs, including free and confidential text-based support
Environment
Coordinating conservation projects and supporting the future of our national parks
Emergency response
Promoting resilience and empowering communities to overcome disasters
In addition, you benefit from:
- The ability to delegate implementation—choose from our carefully vetted programs.
- Knowing that 100% of your donations go to the program—UBS covers all the administration and management costs.
- A wide range of tools to support not-for-profit organizations and impactful businesses—pure grants, outcomes-based financing and blended-finance solutions.
- Increased impact—UBS Optimus Foundation provides a 10% match on eligible client donations to catalyze giving and impact. Match is subject to internal availability and approval
- Our proven track record—over 25 years of experience and in-house impact experts
Create greater impact through our year-end giving campaign
We invite you to join us in our year-end giving campaign to support our partners in the US focused on programs in health, education, emergency response and resilience, and the environment. This year, you also have the opportunity to support a global partner helping educate Africa’s most marginalized children – Imagine Worldwide. When you donate by December 31, UBS will match your gift at 100% up to USD 50,000 (with no cap for donations to Imagine Worldwide), amplifying your impact alongside fellow donors.
UBS will match 100%* of donations to US-based partners, an unrestricted gift to the UBS Optimus Foundation US portfolio, or a gift to our global partner spotlight Imagine Worldwide.
Match framework details:
- 100% match up to USD 50,000 made to US-based partners or as an unrestricted gift to the UBS Optimus Foundation US Portfolio.
- For donations larger than USD 50,000, the first USD 50,000 will be matched 100%, and any funding thereafter will be matched at 10%*.
- 100% match on any size contribution to Imagine Worldwide
- UBS Optimus Foundation US is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit (EIN: 33-1712876), so your donation is eligible for tax benefits.
- All charitable donations to UBS Optimus Foundation or our partners can be made through a UBS Financial Advisor.
- Additional giving options you may wish to consider include:
- Required Minimum Distribution (RMD) through your IRA as Qualified charitable distributions (QCD)
- Stocks, bonds and cash are all accepted
* Only while match lasts.
Your choice of US programs driving positive change
Education
Make opportunity possible
Help build strong learning foundations from a child’s early years all the way through adolescence and transitioning to employment in the US.
Helping families break the cycle of poverty through strategic partnerships, targeted support, and shared accountability.
Bridging the Opportunity Divide by equipping young adults with in-demand skills and real-world experience.
Placing caring adults inside high-poverty public schools to help students overcome barriers, stay in school, and achieve success in life.
Health
Make well-being possible
Donate to US organizations that provide access to quality health intervention services for children and young people, with a strong focus on mental health.
Protects youth mental health and prevents suicide by equipping individuals with life skills, strengthening schools, and mobilizing communities to foster caring cultures.
A pioneer in the digital mental health and crisis response space, providing free, 24/7, anonymous, non-judgmental text-based crisis response and mental health support in English and Spanish to people in moments of crisis across every state and county in the US.
Environment
Make sustainablity possible
Contribute to organizations that build the resilience of our land and coastal ecosystems while supporting vulnerable communities and sustaining biodiversity.
Provides direct financial support to local programs focused on stewardship and restoration of coastal, wetland and riparian ecosystems while engaging community youth and leaders to implement and sustain the work.
Advances conservation worldwide by protecting lands and waters, strengthening climate resilience, and fostering biodiversity for sustainable communities.
Through land acquisition the Redwood Land Fund allows Save the Redwoods League to protect redwood forests, removing them from threat of development or industrial harvest. This promotes biodiversity and ecosystem services, restoring these ecosystems’ unparalleled carbon storage ability.
Securing the future of national parks using science-based solutions to tackle biodiversity and climate crises and leverage public support to expand protections and build resilient landscapes.
Emergency response
Make hope possible
Support organizations responding to today’s urgent emergency relief efforts while investing in proactive disaster preparedness to build resilient communities for tomorrow.
Partners with more than 1,000 local health centers to advance various initiatives, including mental and behavioral health programming and building Free and Charitable Clinic operational and clinical capacity to support equity and outcomes.
A Veteran-led humanitarian organization that provides relief to communities before, during, and after disasters and crises.
Delivers warm meals and food support to populations facing acute hunger due to crises, providing comfort, hope, and dignity.
Provides support for those living in poverty by providing direct cash transfers.
When you donate by December 31, UBS will match your gift at 100% for any size donation to Imagine Worldwide, amplifying your impact alongside fellow donors.
Start making more possible today
To learn more about all that is available to you through the UBS Optimus Foundation and to receive up to a 10% match for your donation, please reach out to a UBS Financial Advisor or UBS contact.