// Workers AI · dad joke modeDoes the Roger Federer Foundation ace charity?
| Formation | 2003 |
|---|---|
| Founder | Roger Federer |
| Type | Charitable foundation |
| Headquarters | Zürich, Switzerland |
Region served | Southern Africa and Switzerland |
Key people | Roger Federer (President) Maya Ziswiler (Chief Executive Officer) |
| Website | https://federerfoundation.org/ |
The Federer Foundation is a Swiss charitable organisation established by former tennis professional Roger Federer. Its aim is to improve access to quality early learning and basic education for children in six countries in Southern Africa and also in Switzerland. [1]
History
[edit]The foundation was established in 2003[2] in Switzerland as a philanthropic vehicle for Federer's charitable activities.[3]
Its mission focuses on providing education to disadvantaged children, with a long-term emphasis on sustainability and local ownership.[4]
In April 2026, the Roger Federer Foundation changed its name to the Federer Foundation as part of the launch of its 2026 - 2030 strategy.[1]
Leadership
[edit]In 2025, the organisation appointed Maya Ziswiler as Chief Executive Officer, succeeding Dr Janine Händel, who led the foundation since 2010.[5] Roger Federer is a trustee and its President.[6]
Activities
[edit]Since 2003, the foundation has financed education programmes and teacher-training initiatives in African countries — Lesotho, Malawi, Namibia, South Africa, Zambia and Zimbabwe — as well as projects in Switzerland.[7]
Its work has included the School Readiness Initiative, which focused on early learning and school readiness.[8] Since April 2026, the foundation's focus has expanded to early and foundational learning.[9]
By the end of 2025, the foundation reported having reached 3.82 million children since 2003, supported 72,076 teachers through training, and strengthened 18,445 educational institutions.[8]
The foundation’s strategy emphasises collaboration with local partners, capacity-building and evidence-based planning. It typically commits to long-term partnerships rather than one-off grants, aiming to improve educational outcomes in a sustainable way.[10]
In 2022, following Russia's invasion of Ukraine, the foundation made a donation of $500,000 to War Child Holland to secure access to education for Ukrainian children.[11][12]
External links
[edit]References
[edit]- 1 2 Stephens, Thomas (2009-06-11). "Solid foundation improves children's lives". SWI swissinfo.ch. Retrieved 2025-10-23.
- ↑ Roopanarine, Les (2012-11-30). "Roger Federer Foundation aiming for maximum impact with minimum spin". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 2025-10-23.
- ↑ "Roger Federer Foundation – Moneyhouse Company Data". Moneyhouse. Retrieved 23 October 2025.
- ↑ "Organisation Brief: Roger Federer Foundation" (PDF). Leaders Magazine. Retrieved 23 October 2025.
- ↑ "Roger Federer Foundation hires head of UBS Optimus Foundation Maya Ziswiler as CEO". Caproasia. 3 July 2024. Retrieved 23 October 2025.
- ↑ "Roger Federer Foundation - Organization".
- ↑ "Roger Federer: Retiring tennis great 'passionate about Africa'". BBC Sport. 2022-09-16. Retrieved 2025-10-23.
- 1 2 "Annual Report 2025" (PDF). Federer Foundation. Retrieved 24 September 2026.
- ↑ "Strategy 2026 - 2030: Looking ahead with ambition and confidence". Federer Foundation. 15 April 2026. Retrieved 24 September 2026.
- ↑ "Roger Federer Foundation | Education Above All Foundation". www.educationaboveall.org. Retrieved 2025-10-23.
- ↑ "Federer sends Ukraine children $500K donation via foundation". AP News. 2022-03-18. Retrieved 2025-10-23.
- ↑ "Roger Federer Pledges $500,000 Toward Ukrainian Schooling Efforts". SI. 2022-03-18. Retrieved 2025-10-23.