Funding Areas
The Tauro Foundation focuses on two key areas:
Education as a pathway out of poverty
The Tauro Foundation gives children and young people access to quality education, laying the foundation for a strong start in life, the opportunity to fulfil their potential, and better long-term prospects. In particular, we support:
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Quality education for girls and boys, including early childhood education, that leads to meaningful and effective learning outcomes;
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School infrastructure, teacher training and learning materials, as well as essential services such as school meals, access to safe drinking water and healthcare;
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Vocational and educational opportunities for young people that open up pathways to economic independence, including vocational training and tertiary education.
Local Entrepreneurship
The Tauro Foundation empowers people in communities affected by poverty by helping them build professional skills and create opportunities to earn their own income. In particular, we support:
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Entrepreneurial initiatives and small businesses that contribute to sustainable economic development;
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Innovative approaches and technologies that help small business owners and smallholder farmers produce, market, store and manage their products sustainably.
Funding Criteria
The Tauro Foundation values transparent, collaborative relationships with the organizations it supports. It provides funding to organizations and projects with annual grants starting at CHF 25,000.
Requirements for Applicants
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Small and medium-sized, professionally recognized institutions and NGOs, generally based in Switzerland;
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Preference is given to organizations with a clear thematic focus and a proven track record;
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Professional and sustainable organizational structures (projects led by individuals are not supported);
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Transparency regarding governance, funding and oversight structures;
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Neutrality with regard to political or ideological views, religious beliefs and cultural backgrounds.
Requirements for Projects and Initiatives
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Projects and initiatives must fall within the Foundation’s defined funding areas;
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Clear and coherent description of the project’s activities, objectives and target groups;
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Potential to create medium- to long-term opportunities for the people and communities involved;
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Strong local roots and a collaborative approach that actively involves local communities;
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Projects with the potential to serve as a model and/or be scaled are particularly encouraged;
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Funding secured from additional private or public partners;
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A transparent and clearly structured project budget, together with regular reporting;
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Projects must be based in low- and middle-income countries and align with the Foundation’s geographic funding priorities.
What We Do Not Support
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Organizations and initiatives that are purely commercial in nature;
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Commission-based fundraising;
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Initiatives led by individuals without an institutional affiliation.
