latest news

  • The largest conference around philanthropy ever held in Geneva
    (May 2013)
    Under the initiative of WISE, philanthropy advisors, and the Swiss Philanthropy Foundation (SPF) and with the support of eight entrepreneurs and foundations, Geneva will host the largest conference to date in Switzerland around philanthropy, the annual conference of European Venture Philanthropy Association (EVPA). The event will take place from 26 to 27 November 2013 at the International Conference Centre Geneva (CICG).
  • First university degree in sustainable finance in Geneva
    (April 2013)
    Four institutions collaborate to provide a high level training strongly focused on practice, addressing issues and tools of sustainable finance. Classes will be held in May 2013 in Geneva. Etienne Eichenberger, co-founder of WISE, will teach the course on philanthropy.
  • Dear David Beckham
    (March 2013)
    By announcing that your entire salary as PSG player would be donated to charities supporting children, you have created the surprise. The admiration too. It is a decision "fairly unique" and "probably has not been taken before" in your words. Your decision appeals to all of us because it reminds us of our own questioning about our relationship to society, but also poses very pragmatic questions. (Bilan, www.bilan.ch)
  • Philanthropy: to give more or better?
    (February 2013)
    Last week, the Beacon Awards organized by the Community Foundation Network rewarded the most innovative or inspiring philanthropists in England. Two hundred people attended the Awards under the sign of "effective philanthropy." At the same time, at the end of January in New York, Michael Bloomberg announced a donation of USD 350 million to Johns Hopkins University, reaching a record donation of more than $ 1 billion to a single university. These two events are quite symbolic of the challenge of philanthropy today: to give more or better? (Bilan, www.bilan.ch)
  • Workshop for Families in Philanthropy & Impact Investing
    (January 2013)
    WISE collaborated with LGT Venture Philanthropy to host a workshop for Families in Philanthropy & Impact Investing which was held in Parpan on the 11&12 January 2013. The workshop offered both younger and senior members of families, coming from many different countries, the opportunity to learn from each other in a comfortable peer-to-peer environment, build a global network of families active in philanthropy as well as impact investing and benefit from synergies.
  • WISE receives the Innovation Award 2012
    (November 2012)
    WISE, philanthropy advisors received yesterday the "Innovation Award 2012" at the 10th economic event of the Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Services (CCIG), organized in partnership with the Office for the Promotion of Industries and Technologies (OPI) and the Department of Regional Affairs, Economy and Health (DARES). The award, given for the first time this year, was received by WISE for its innovative philanthropic projects and quality of services that contribute to Geneva’s recognition.
  • A Resource board to leverage the knowledge of recognised professionals
    (October 2012)
    A group of nine highly recognised professionals have joined WISE’s newly created Resource board to bring a complementary perspective to the field of philanthropy. By bringing together once a year experts from different fields interrelated to philanthropy, WISE seeks to benefit from the knowledge and experience of recognised professionals.
  • STEP Private Client Awards: WISE, first Swiss firm to receive one of the most prestigious Awards for philanthropy advisors
    (September 2012)
    WISE, philanthropy advisors, is the first Swiss firm to win the prestigious « Philanthropy Team of the Year » at the STEP Private Client Awards, which were held last Wednesday evening in London. This award, given by the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners (STEP), is awarded every year to the organization delivering the best quality of philanthropic advice.
    (Press Release)
  • WISE partners with the LIN Center for Community Development in Vietnam for their first roundtable on Strategic philanthropy
    (August 2012)
    Maurice Machenbaum, executive direct of WISE based in Vietnam since October 2011, intervened at the Roundtable discussion around Strategic philanthropy organised for the first time by the LIN Center for individual philanthropists in the Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC) area in Vietnam. This first roundtable, held on the 11th of July 2012, brought together experienced and new philanthropists to provide an opportunity to develop their goals and strategies.
  • STEP Private Client, Awards 2012/13 : WISE is among the finalists
    (July 2012)
    The STEP Private Client Awards is an important award attributed by the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners (STEP). This organization, with branches in 81 countries and over 17’500 members, gives every year these awards which highlight excellence among private client solicitors/attorneys, accountants, barristers, bankers, trust managers and financial advisors. For the 3rd consecutive year, wise – philanthropy advisors is among the finalists in the category “Philanthropy Team of the Year”.
  • First course for grant-making foundations
    (June 2012)
    Endeavouring to make philanthropy more professional, the Centre for Philanthropy Studies (CEPS) at the University of Basel and wise philanthropy advisors (WISE) are initiating the first course for grant-making foundations in the French speaking part of Switzerland. Developed in collaboration with the Graduate Institute of Geneva, this training intends to connect the theoretical knowledge and the practical aspects of managing a grant-making foundation.
  • Individual Principles for the Responsible Investor
    (May 2012)
    The association Sustainable Finance Geneva (SFG) presented its «Individual Principles for the Responsible Investor» (IPRI) during the launch event on the 8th of May. It is the first time that principles, designed around successive actions, are developed to assist finance professionals in their thought process.
  • Training for social entreprises
    (March 2012)
    You have created an organization working on social or environmental issues over a year ago? You wish to strengthen the strategy of your organization? Ensure its viability over the years? Improve how you measure your social impact? The “Concours Impact” developed by Ashoka offers a personalized complimentary coaching during 4 months to help you assess these elements and structure your business plan.
  • At the heart of social innovation
    (February 2012)
    What makes a social entrepreneur different from others? How to identify the most innovative social entrepreneurs that will drive systemic change in their field and have social impact on a large scale? How can innovative collaborations scale up the impact of social innovations? These are among the questions that will be raised at the next conference organized by Ashoka in partnership with WISE and Philias.
  • To give is to choose
    (January 2012)
    "It is not enough to give; it has to be done wisely" reminds an entrepreneur engaged in philanthropy.
    (Banque & Finance, www.banque-finance.ch)

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«(…) There is nothing more powerful than a social entrepreneur with a great idea.»

William Drayton, Chairman, Ashoka