Frequently asked questions

How is the Schwab Foundation funded?

The Schwab Foundation is financed out of an initial endowment provided by Klaus and Hilde Schwab and a combination of grants and fees for services it provides to individuals, foundations or companies seeking high-impact social investments. 

What types of support does the Schwab Foundation provide?

The Schwab Foundation does not give grants.  Rather, it invests its limited resources in creating unprecedented opportunities where social entrepreneurs who have successfully implemented and scaled their transformational idea, can further the legitimacy of their work, have access to usually inaccessible networks, and in consequence, mobilize the financial and in-kind resources that enable them to continue to strengthen and expand. 

What is the involvement of the World Economic Forum in the Schwab Foundation?

While the Schwab Foundation is a separate legal entity from the World Economic Forum with it’s own Board, the Foundation is operated by the World Economic Forum and housed at the Forum headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland. The Foundation works closely with the World Economic Forum to ensure that leading social entrepreneurs can best be integrated into shaping the regional, global and industry agendas through the Forum’s unique platforms. 

How does the Schwab Foundation bring social entrepreneurs and leaders from the business, public, academic and media sectors together?  

The Schwab Foundation works with a network of leading companies, foundations and universities that extend pro bono or reduced fee services to the social entrepreneurs that have been selected into the network of the Schwab Foundation. Throughout the year, and also at specific events such as the Annual Meeting of the World Economic Forum and the regional events, the Foundation sets up opportunities whereby specific individuals and leaders of companies and public sector organizations can come into contact with social entrepreneurs working in areas of relevance to their activities. 

If you are a social entrepreneur, click on Search and Selection process

If you are a philanthropist or a social investor, you can support Schwab social entrepreneurs through grants, low interest loans or equity investments as well as targeted in-kind goods and services. 

If you are a company, you can partner with us to support innovative social entrepreneurs by activity or geographical area. 

If you are from the media, the Schwab Foundation offers you a platform of outstanding individuals and amazing ongoing life stories. 

If you are from the academic sector, you can join the Schwab Foundation in promoting knowledge and research on social entrepreneurship.