For more than two decades, the Optimus Foundation has been at the forefront of impactful philanthropy, working to deliver scalable solutions and systemic change with four ultimate goals:

  • To ensure that children survive and thrive
  • To fulfil children’s potential
  • To free people from harm
  • To protect the future of the planet

The Optimus Foundation is a leader in blended finance and outcomes-based funding, partnering with governments and development agencies to address social issues, and supporting the Sustainable Development Goals.

Tom Hall, UBS Head of Social Impact & Philanthropy Services, said: “Over the recent decade, we’ve seen the unprecedented growth of philanthropy across APAC with Australia now ranked 5th in the 2020 Charities Aid Foundation World Giving Index. In response to this demand, we are delighted to be launching the Optimus Foundation in Australia and connecting our clients with philanthropic solutions that can improve lives and create lasting change.”

Ralph Hamers, UBS Group Chief Executive Officer, said: “Philanthropy can play a crucial role in unlocking the investment needed to test and advance innovative solutions designed to tackle the most pressing social and environmental issues.

“The Australian chapter of the Optimus Foundation reflects UBS’ commitment to growing our philanthropic efforts globally and our existing community projects within Australia.”
The Australia expansion comes as UBS’ philanthropic activities gather pace around the globe, with new initiatives in environment, health, education and child protection issues. Locally, the Optimus Foundation will continue to apply an investment-based philosophy and specialise in scalable, evidence-based approaches to investing.

The UBS Optimus Foundation supports over 320 programs across 60 countries. In 2021, The Optimus Foundation raised USD 161.45 million, globally, reaching 3.6 million people, of which 2.7 million were children. This is the Optimus Foundation’s eighth office worldwide and fourth in the APAC region, preceded by chapters in Hong Kong, Beijing, and Singapore.

Media Contact:

Ophelia Phu (Aus)
ophelia.phu@ubs.com
+61 43157985

Jen Warat (Aus)
Jenny.warat@ubs.com
+61 411383996

About UBS

UBS convenes the global ecosystem for investing, where people and ideas are connected and opportunities brought to life, and provides financial advice and solutions to wealthy, institutional and corporate clients worldwide, as well as to private clients in Switzerland. UBS offers investment solutions, products and impactful thought leadership, is the leading global wealth manager, provides large-scale and diversified asset management, focused investment banking capabilities, and personal and corporate banking services in Switzerland. The firm focuses on businesses that have a strong competitive position in their target markets, are capital efficient and have an attractive long-term structural growth or profitability outlook.

UBS is present in all major financial centres worldwide. It has offices in more than 50 regions and locations, with about 30% of its employees working in the Americas, 30% in Switzerland, 19% in the rest of Europe, the Middle East and Africa and 21% in Asia Pacific. UBS Group AG employs more than 72,000 people around the world. Its shares are listed on the SIX Swiss Exchange and the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE).

About the UBS Optimus Foundation

The UBS Optimus Foundation, led by CEO Maya Ziswiler, connects clients with inspiring entrepreneurs, new technologies and proven models that are making a measurable, long-term difference to the most serious and enduring social and environmental problems. The UBS Optimus Foundation has a 20-year track record and is recognised globally as a philanthropic thought-leader and is focused on raising impact transparency, incubating Impact Ventures and scaling impact through partnerships.

UBS provides administration support to the UBS Optimus Foundation, to maximise the impact of donations to program partners.