Tom Hall, Edmund Koh and Ralph Hamers.

The UBS Optimus Foundation (“Optimus Foundation”) the independent philanthropic arm of UBS AG, is pleased to announce that it is launching its Australian chapter, the UBS Optimus Foundation Australia.

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.

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