FAQ

We typically launch campaigns in response to natural disasters and major humanitarian crises in Switzerland and abroad. Appeals for donations to be used abroad are subject to certain conditions: the affected country must request international aid; at least three of our partner organisations must be on the ground there to deliver aid; the disaster must be substantial; and the Swiss public must be aware of the situation.

We sometimes also launch campaigns for issues, both in Switzerland and abroad, that require long-term attention, such as child relief. 

In Switzerland, we appeal for donations after natural disasters or collect donations to support children and young people. In the event of major disasters in Switzerland, we supplement the assistance provided by the federal government, cantons, insurance companies and other agencies by supporting those affected. We also appeal for donations when there is a major disaster affecting several regions and a large number of people, and when we can guarantee responsible use of the donations collected. 

Our work has three main components: mobilising, implementing and monitoring. We launch appeals for donations in a timely manner following major disasters, crises or conflicts, and we use the money we raise to fund the projects of our partner organisations. By subsequently carrying out assessments at various stages during the projects, we evaluate their quality and ensure that donations are being used effectively. 

This video shows in brief how Swiss Solidarity helps.

We finance our operating costs from the interest earned on the funds that we do not spend immediately and invest conservatively in the meantime. If the interest income is not sufficient to cover the operating costs, we draw on the reserves. To build up reserves, the Board of Trustees has authorised withdrawals of a maximum of 5 percent for all larger collections. These are only withdrawn if the investment results and the existing reserves are not sufficient to cover the operating costs.

Zewo is a specialised Swiss service for charitable organisations engaging in fundraising activities. We do not have the Zewo quality seal for several reasons: 

• We are a foundation, not a relief organisation. Consequently, we do not directly carry out activities on the ground.
• The Zewo Foundation sets out a specific timetable dictating when organisations, and which ones, may hold fundraising campaigns. Unlike these organisations, we launch appeals for donations immediately following disasters, crises and conflicts—urgent situations require immediate action. Because of how we operate and the fact that we launch fundraising campaigns as soon as a crisis comes to light, we are unable to follow this timetable.
• Our fundraising methods differ from those of relief organisations. For example, instead of making appeals for donations by post, we do so through our own communication channels and the media outlets of the SRG SSR. 

However, other than these aspects, we meet all the other criteria of the Zewo Foundation.

We do not work directly on the ground, but finance the projects of our Swiss partner organisations, which in turn have teams on the ground. In most cases, the Swiss partner organisations work together with local partners. All our partner organisations have solid humanitarian relief experience abroad and, to receive funding from us, they must prove that their projects meet precise criteria. We also make regular visits to the affected countries to monitor and assess projects in progress.

While we do not work on the ground in Switzerland either, we do fund projects launched by Swiss organisations in response to natural disasters or in support of children and young people.

Of course! At the moment, we mainly need volunteers during our National Solidarity Days to receive pledges from donors. To find out more about volunteering with Swiss Solidarity, please click here.

We do not seek in-kind donations. Distributing goods directly to affected countries poses a significant logistical challenge, and it is extremely difficult to guarantee that the different beneficiaries are treated equally. Moreover, this type of aid cannot always be sustained over the long term.

Crises, natural disasters and conflicts require a professional response. We fund the projects of our partner organisations, which adapt their humanitarian response to the needs of the vulnerable populations. Oftentimes, material goods can be purchased locally, which supports the local economy.

The simplest option is to donate online. You can also donate using your credit card (VISA, Mastercard, American Express), Postfinance card, TWINT or PayPal.

You can also request that a QR-bill be sent to you by e-mail.

On our National Days of Solidarity, you can call us on 0800 87 07 07 to make a pledge, at which point we will send you a QR-bill.

For an overview of the different ways to donate (Swiss Solidarity rose, Cumulus points and more), click here.

Whether an individual or a company, you can organise a fundraiser for a special occasion.

Please contact us using the contact form: select “Other question" and mention that you would like to hold a fundraiser for a special occasion.

If you donate online, you will automatically receive a receipt for your donation by e-mail.
During busy periods on our donation platform, the receipt may take longer to reach you.

If you donate by QR-bill or bank transfer, you will receive a donation receipt by post for any amount of CHF 500 or more.

If you have not received a receipt, you can request one by sending us an e-mail or calling +41 58 458 12 12.

Swiss Solidarity safeguards your data. Donor data is processed internally in a strictly confidential manner. Swiss Solidarity does not provide data to any other entity or trade in addresses.

As a recognised foundation working for the public good, we are entitled to receive donations, inheritances and legacies. Donations can be deducted from direct federal tax as well as from cantonal and municipal taxes.

If you have not received a receipt for your donation, you can request one by sending us an email or call us on 058 458 12 12.

We post regularly on our website and social networks (Facebook / Instagram / LinkedIn) about the work we do thanks to your donations. We describe the projects we fund and explain how aid reaches affected populations. Sometimes, television programmes such as Ensemble on RTS feature dedicated reports on our projects.

You can also subscribe to our newsletter to keep up with our latest news.

Last but not least, our annual report contains detailed information on the projects we support and our finances.

Donations not earmarked for a specific campaign are turned over to the current campaign, i.e. where they are most urgently needed.

To offer online payment methods such as credit cards, we are dependent on the corresponding suppliers and service providers. We also pay an account-management fee. On average, these fees amount to 2% of the donation amount. To ensure that the entirety of the donations received can be used to fund our partner NGOs’ aid projects, we have decided to give donors the opportunity to cover these fees. Every donor is free to decide whether to help cover these handling fees.

The trust you place in us by donating commits us to using your money in the most effective and useful way possible for the benefit of victims of disasters or humanitarian crises.

That is why we work with 28 Swiss relief organisations that meet our high quality standards: it enables us to guarantee that your donation will be used responsibly to support those who need it most.

To be accredited by Swiss Solidarity, an organisation must meet the following conditions in particular:

• Be a Swiss non-profit organisation that has been involved in humanitarian aid or child relief projects for more than three years
• Have the means to manage projects from Switzerland
• Have a quality-management process and ensure transparency and accountability
• Meet ZEWO standards, including the publication of annual accounts in accordance with the accounting standards in effect

Organisations wishing to become an accredited Swiss Solidarity partner and receive funds for their projects abroad can find information on our accreditation criteria and the two-stage application process for foreign partners (humanitarian aid and child relief) here.