Scaling impact, strengthening actions and laying the groundwork for the future
• For the first year of its new 4-year strategic cycle, the impact of the Z Zurich Foundation (The Foundation) in 2024 significantly increased to 10.5 million lives at least positively impacted (+78% YoY).
• The Foundation also increased its ability to scale its impact further thanks to the strengthening of its management team, the launch of new strategic initiatives and new local/global projects. For example, the Foundation’s crisis response capabilities provided immediate relief, including mental health and psychosocial support, in over 30 crises in 2024, doubling its impact in that area from the previous year.
• In these turbulent times for the humanitarian and development aid sector overall, the Foundation is well positioned to continue to provide a meaningful response to the societal needs it focuses on, aiming now to impact more than 25 million lives by 2026.
As the world continues to face complex and evolving challenges, the Z Zurich Foundation is proud to reflect on a landmark year of progress, resilience, and renewed ambition.
With the continuous support of the charitable organizations it works alongside and Zurich Insurance Group (Zurich) employees internationally, the Foundation has positively impacted 10.5 million people across its core pillars: adapting to climate change, improving mental wellbeing, enabling social equity, and responding to crisis. This milestone more than doubled the Foundation’s original target for 2024 and signals strong momentum toward its 2027 goal of impacting 25 million lives, which it now plans to reach at the latest by the end of 2026.
"In a world filled with challenges and increased polarization and divisions, it’s the determined humanity of inspirational people everywhere that gives me hope. By working together, we can overcome the toughest obstacles, foster independence, build confidence, and promote fairness. To all those who support and share this vision, thank you for bringing hope and reminding us that to be human is to care deeply," says Gary Shaughnessy, Chair of the Z Zurich Foundation.
A vision for long-term transformation
2024 marked the launch of an ambitious strategy designed to accelerate impact. By working closely with public and private sector organizations and institutions, as well as local and national authorities, the Foundation is scaling its efforts to meet increasingly complex needs and working on sustainable, long-term change. Mutualizing resources, from funding to skills, are central to the Foundation’s mission of fostering inclusive, resilient societies and addressing the root causes of inequality and vulnerability.
The Foundation’s 2024 achievements are not just milestones—they are the basis for what comes next. With projects now fully aligned to its evolved vision, the Foundation is well-positioned to scale its influence and effectiveness through 2025 and beyond. Strategic initiatives and institutional developments have reinforced current operations while laying the groundwork for our future aspirations.
A call to collective action
“Behind every number is a life impacted, a barrier removed, and a future redesigned for the better. I’m very proud of the work delivered together with the dedicated and extremely competent NGOs we partner with in more than 60 countries globally to deliver 100+ development programs. Today, as social needs outpace available resources, all actors in the humanitarian and development aid sector need to reimagine the way we work together, with the aim to help many more people in need with less resources overall. This will bring collaboration and partnerships at the heart of our collective response. We will play our part in this. " says Gregory Renand, Head of the Z Zurich Foundation
As the Foundation continues to support hundreds of development programs in over 60 countries, it remains inspired by the individuals and communities it serves whose resilience and determination embody the spirit of hope and transformation.
Enhanced crisis response and organizational growth
In response to a growing number of humanitarian emergencies across the globe, the Foundation significantly expanded its crisis response capabilities—supporting over 30 crises in 2024 alone, doubling its efforts from the previous year. This enhanced agility has helped ensure timely and effective support when communities need it most.
Internally, the Foundation invested in its greatest asset—its people. Between October 2023 and February 2024, we brought additional and new expertise to the Foundation’s team to drive innovation and execution.
“I’m proud to have seen the quality, experience and talent within the Foundation team grow significantly along with increased collaboration right across Zurich. This is absolutely key,” adds Gary Shaughnessy, Chair of the Z Zurich Foundation.
While the future will bring its own set of challenges, it also holds boundless opportunities for meaningful and lasting impact. The Foundation remains steadfast in its commitment to be there – driving change and helping to transform millions more lives in the years ahead.
---
For more information, please contact:
Manon Parmentier
Z Zurich Foundation Head of Crisis Response, Advocacy and Communications
z.zurich.foundation@zurich.com
The Z Zurich Foundation is a Swiss-based charitable foundation established by members of the Zurich Insurance Group. It is the main vehicle by which Zurich Insurance Group delivers on its global community investment strategy.
It works alongside Zurich Insurance Group employees and other stakeholders as well as with governments and NGOs in pursuit of a future where people can thrive in the face of increasing climate hazards and catastrophes, where those of us feeling the stresses of life are empowered to speak up, and where the marginalized in our society can reach their full potential.
Visit the Z Zurich Foundation’s website to learn more about its work: https://zurich.foundation. Follow Z Zurich Foundation on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube.
Z Zurich Foundation collaborates with charities, non-profit organizations, philanthropist investors, service providers, Zurich Insurance Group Ltd and its subsidiaries (“Zurich”) as well as others, but such relationships are not partnerships in the legal sense of the term and nothing in this document, including but not limited to the use of terms such as “partner” or “partnership,” should be construed as giving rise to such an inference.