Olive Branch Foundation
They lost everything. But not their will to rebuild.
We stand with those who turn survival into strength, through cooperatives, local businesses, and bold community-led solutions.
Shaping their future with their own hands, their own vision, their own power.
The Olive Branch Foundation (OBF) funds grassroots projects for refugees, returnees, internally displaced people (IDPs), and host communities in high-risk, underserved areas, places where few are willing to go. We choose projects created by local communities based on their real needs, not imposed from others. We dedicate our efforts to raising the funds that make these locally driven solutions possible.
Our beneficiaries are people living in some of the world’s poorest and most fragile regions, refugees, returnees, IDPs, host communities and those most at risk of exclusion or neglect, who, due to displacement, conflict, or extreme poverty, often have no access to land to cultivate, food security, education, or stable employment. Their marginalization is compounded by social tensions and the fact that these areas are frequently overlooked by traditional donors because of high perceived risks. That’s why we support livelihood projects designed by those directly affected, and we rely on experienced local staff who understand the context from within.
Solutions that start from within.
We don’t build projects for displaced communities.
We support the ones they’re already building — rooted in local knowledge, ownership, and ambition.
We focus on:
Community-led cooperatives
Micro and small businesses
Training and mentorship for local entrepreneurs
Reintegration pathways for returnees and IDPs
Local initiatives that bring displaced and host communities together
Because real change lasts when it comes from the ground up — and when no one is left behind.
Projects we support
Real impact. Real people. Real ownership.
We believe in solutions that are concrete, replicable, and scalable. For example, in Nepal, OBF funding is enabling 80 women to generate income through four community enterprises (two for leaf plates and two for spices/turmeric), while also building entrepreneurial and technical skills. In Burundi, a soap-producing cooperative now employs 20 people, including 9 women, who have used their profits to buy land, expand production, and diversify their soap products. One of the women has even begun raising goats with her earnings. The scalability of the model is built into its design: once a cooperative becomes self-sustaining, it is required to support the launch of a new cooperative. On the ground, support is provided through technical and vocational education and training (TVET) and an initial investment, followed by continuous monitoring and evaluation. Cooperatives are accompanied until they reach full independence, after which members manage operations autonomously and reinvest profits, sometimes even offering internal loans to other members. We believe that choosing carefully where to invest can lead to real, lasting change.
Your role
Donate now and become part of a different kind of change.
You’re not just giving — you’re investing wisely.
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If you want to choose a specific project to donate to, click the donate button, select your donation amount, and then click on "Additional Information" to access a drop-down menu. Here, you can choose from five specific projects or opt for a general donation. We will ensure your contribution reaches your selected project.
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Maximizing Impact with Every Donation
Ninety-five percent of our funds directly support projects aimed at fulfilling OBF's mission. Our administrative expenses, comprising human resources, accounting, information technology, fundraising, and communication, amount to only 5 percent. This allocation falls well below the ZEWO average of 21 percent, underscoring our commitment to maximizing the impact of every donation received. -
By donating to OBF, a recognized public charity, you can claim a tax deduction of up to 20 percent of your income on your federal taxes. Similar provisions apply in most cantons. Rest assured, we will provide you with the necessary donation certificate by March of the following year.
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Ensuring data protection is a top priority at OBF, and as such, it is a concern for all members and employees. We strictly adhere to stringent policies to safeguard personal information. OBF does not disclose addresses to third parties, nor do we engage in renting, selling, or exchanging personal data. Our practices align with relevant data protection regulations, notably the Federal Data Protection Act.
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Furthermore, OBF upholds the ZEWO Standards and Ethical Guidelines for Fundraising. These standards serve as a benchmark for our fundraising activities, reinforcing our commitment to ethical practices and accountability.
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Should you have any inquiries, please feel free to contact our
Director
Chiara Polti
chiara.polti@stiftungolivenzweig.ch
+41 78 911 53 87 -
If you prefer, you can download the QR code now to make your donation via bank transfer effortlessly by clicking here!
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If you prefer, you can donate via Twint by clicking here!
Kindly note that acknowledgments for online donations will be sent via email. This approach is not only environmentally friendly but also aids in optimizing resource management.
When you donate, you want your support to count. We make sure it does.
We don’t support what looks good on paper — we back what works on the ground.
We listen, we observe, we collect data — not only to understand impact, but to stay accountable to you.
Because transparency isn’t a bonus — it’s a promise.
When you donate to us, you know where your money goes, who it reaches, and what it changes.
No empty promises. Just real results, shared openly.
