Grant and Funding Programs Offered by Swiss Re Foundation

The Swiss Re Foundation is the philanthropic arm of the global reinsurer Swiss Re. It supports impact organisations, social enterprises and charities that strengthen the resilience of low-income communities, with a particular focus on low- and middle-income countries. The foundation combines evidence-based grant funding, tailored financing instruments and access to Swiss Re’s technical expertise and volunteer network to help partners test, scale and sustain innovative solutions.

Swiss Re Foundation concentrates its portfolio in two main focus areas: climate solutions and access to health. Within climate solutions, it backs initiatives in disaster risk reduction, disaster risk financing and nature-based solutions that protect ecosystems while reducing communities’ exposure to natural hazards. Within access to health, it supports hybrid “brick-and-click” primary care models, inclusive insurance and other risk-management approaches, and ventures that strengthen public health systems in underserved settings.

The foundation funds entrepreneurial solutions from early validation through growth stages, aiming for models that can move beyond grant dependence. It also supports system-efficiency initiatives that demonstrate better ways to deliver climate resilience and healthcare, and provides grants to local charities near Swiss Re offices that align with its climate and health priorities. Beneficiaries include social enterprises, NGOs, impact funds and research partners working in Africa, Asia, Latin America and selected OECD countries.

Evidence creation is a pillar of the foundation’s strategy. For every focus area it maintains a theory of change, requires grant partners to report on common key performance indicators such as reach, improved resilience, environmental impact and financial assets mobilised, and commissions independent impact evaluations from specialised firms like 60 Decibels. Findings inform future project selection and are shared publicly through reports, impact stories and annual foundation reports.

Swiss Re Foundation operates flagship initiatives such as the Entrepreneurs for Resilience Award and the Shine programme, which provide competitive funding and expert support to social ventures. It periodically issues open calls, for example Expressions of Interest for urban nature-based solutions in LMIC cities, where selected applicants can receive tailored financing and strategic support. In 2024 the foundation reported grants approved of about CHF 5.7 million, 68 active projects above CHF 30 000 and operations in 37 countries, with cumulative grants since 2012 exceeding CHF 118 million.