Last Saturday, our Partners Anne Laure Bandle and Maria Oberlin-Chiriaeva had the pleasure of leading a session at the University of Geneva, within the DAS in Strategic and Operational Philanthropy, on Money Laundering and Regulatory Compliance in the philanthropic sector.
Philanthropy is built on trust – but even well-intentioned foundations can face legal and compliance risks if they are not aware of how financial regulations apply.
Here are a few key takeaways:
- Know your donor and your funds. Transparency about the origin of assets is essential to prevent the misuse of charitable structures.
- Understand when the Anti-Money Laundering Act (AMLA) applies. While most philanthropic foundations are not financial intermediaries, certain activities can fall within the scope of the AMLA and trigger strict due diligence and reporting obligations.
- Sanctions matter. Philanthropic organisations must ensure they do not directly or indirectly engage with sanctioned persons, entities, or assets.
- Establish and follow best-practice governance. Internal written due diligence policies, advisory committees and documented decision making tailored to the risks and needs of a philanthropic foundation are fundamental. The Swiss Foundation Code provides some guidance on integrity, transparency, and board responsibility.
- Good governance = good compliance. A strong board culture, sound documentation, and a risk-based approach remain the best safeguards – and help protect the foundation's reputation and public trust.
Our Partners are grateful for the engaged discussions and thoughtful questions from participants – proof that compliance is not just about ticking boxes, but about protecting purpose-driven organisations.
They also warmly thank Professor Giulia Neri-Castracane for the opportunity to contribute to this DAS program and share insights on compliance and responsible philanthropy.