About Us
Foundation Philosophy
The Eilinger Foundation is a Swiss foundation established in 2024 with its domicile in the canton of Thurgau. The Eilinger family has always been particularly concerned with providing children and young people from poorer regions with an opportunity for education. Additionally, they have actively addressed issues such as human rights violations, child labor, environmental pollution, and sustainability. Privately, they were involved in animal welfare.
The focus of our support is on smaller associations, organizations, and individuals who do not receive or receive only limited government or other financial aid and operate through donation and volunteer helper.
Foundation Purpose
The foundation aims to support the following institutions, organizations, and individuals through the provision of financial contribution:
- Non-profit institutions and organizations operating in both domestic and/or foreign settings that are dedicated to the education and development of children, adolescents, and adults. This includes support for preschool and school education, as well as initiatives for vocational training, further education, or pursuing a degree;
- Non-profit institutions and organizations operating in both domestic and/or foreign settings that are committed to the protection and observance of human rights, particularly focusing on the eradication of child labour;
- Non-profit institutions and organizations operating in both domestic and/or foreign settings that assist individuals or groups in socially and/or economically disadvantaged situations or emergencies. Explicit support may also be provided directly to individuals or groups facing social and/or economic hardships or emergencies;
- Non-profit institutions and organizations, as well as individuals, operating in both domestic and/or foreign settings, engaged in the field of animal welfare/animal rescue and/or activities aimed at the well-being of animals of all kinds. This includes explicit support for smaller entities such as associations;
- Non-profit institutions and organizations, along with individuals or groups, operating in both domestic and/or foreign settings, dedicated to the protection of nature and/or the environment.
Areas of support
Education
Support and promotion of education for socioeconomically disadvantaged children, adolescents, and adults.
Regardless of their social background, children, adolescents, and adults have the right to education. Therefore, we support non-profit organizations and institutions advocating for preschool education, school, and vocational training both domestically and in developing countries. Additionally, young people have the opportunity to apply for a scholarship with us to pursue education or obtain a university degree.
People in Need
Natural and environmental disasters, diseases, or wars bring much suffering to those affected. But emotional hardship also exists on a small scale, right on our doorstep. People with disabilities often live in isolation.
We provide financial support to small non-profit organizations working domestically, abroad and in developing countries, in order to alleviate distress or to promote integration.
Animal Welfare
Animal welfare means recognizing and advocating for the needs and feelings of animals beyond legal regulations.
Animals are not always kept in species-appropriate conditions, both domestically and internationally, and they lack protection and rights. Therefore, the Eilinger Foundation supports non-profit organizations as well as individuals, dedicated to animal welfare, animal rescue, and especially the prevention of animal suffering.
Environmental Protection
Environmental and climate protection begins on a small scale, as small initiatives and projects can have a significant impact.
Species protection, renaturation, sustainability, recycling, water management, as well as forest and water protection are our focus areas. The Eilinger Foundation supports organizations and individuals in projects addressing these issues.
Human Rights
People worldwide deserve a dignified and peaceful life.
Unfortunately, human rights violations are still committed worldwide. The Eilinger Foundation supports organizations committed to ensuring human rights. The foundation supports domestically and in developing countries.
Projects
The Eilinger Foundation took over all open projects of the Walter and Gabriella Eilinger Foundations, which was liquidated in 2024.
Every year, the Eilinger Foundation supports projects to help where direct and immediate assistance is necessary or where authorities, associations, and other foundations do not provide support. It is important to the Eilinger Foundation that 100% of the money is used for the respective project, with no deductions for administrative, overhead, or personnel costs or keeping them as low as possible based on local circumstances. The focus of our support in 2025/26 was on the environment and sustainability, animal welfare, and education.
Animal Welfare: Fawn Rescue with BFH-HAFL Method using a Drone
Every year, hundreds of fawns are born in tall grass that will later be mowed by farmers. These fawns are then killed by the mowing machine or bound alive in the bales during harvesting. Their carcasses spoil the straw that cows eat, which then die miserably. There are various local helpers who use drones to fly over fields at night before each harvest, locate or relocate the fawns. The Eilinger Foundation has enabled various associations in Switzerland and abroad to acquire drones.
Human Rights - Brücke Le Pont promotes global solidarity
Brücke Le Pont is committed to a just world in which all people can live self-determined lives from decent work. Brücke Le Pont promotes a sustainable improvement of the living and working conditions of people in West Africa and Latin America. It supports structural and systemic changes that enable people to strengthen their professional skills, claim their labour and human rights and earn a living income. The Eilinger Foundation also supports international projects.
Environmental Protection, Sustainability, Marine Animal Welfare: KYMA - Protecting a Marine Biodiversity Hotspot in Southern Italy
The Mediterranean Sea covers only 0.8% of the global ocean surface, yet it is home to 18% of the world's marine flora and 7.5% of its marine fauna – making it one of the most species-rich seas in the world. At the same time, it is one of the most polluted and least protected seas on earth. Its condition is far more than a regional matter: it affects the climate, water balance and food systems in the Alpine region. Since 2015, KYMA has been collecting reliable long-term data on key species such as whales and dolphins in the waters off the east coast of Sicily and northern Calabria. The results are clear: nine species, some of them highly endangered, make intensive use of the area – an ecological core zone. On this scientific basis, KYMA is now working with partners to have the area placed under protection. The goal is to initiate an official process with the local authorities to implement concrete protective measures by 2028. The Eilinger Foundation supported this project.
People in Need: Right to Education - TAB Leisure and Education Weinfelden – Regional Support
TAB stands for «Thurgau Working Group for People with Disabilities». The non-profit organization creates spaces and barrier-free offers so that people with (and without) disabilities can gain new experiences, discover their strengths and maintain social contacts, rather than falling into hardship through isolation. Its purpose is the integration of people with disabilities into society through leisure and educational offers for adults with (and without) disabilities. TAB works closely with organizations supporting people with disabilities, adult education partners as well as private companies and individuals. The Eilinger Foundation supports the promotion and integration of people with disabilities.
Education, Environmental Protection, Sustainability - Educational Garden and Children's Forest - Robinsonverein Muttenz
The educational garden with children's forest is a regional project that promotes the biodiversity of (crop) plants as well as endangered reptiles and insects in a garden close to the city, and explicitly allows children and young people to play freely there while protecting and shaping something with their own hands. Future generations are to be made aware of the sustainable use of natural resources, the preservation of biodiversity and the reduction of environmental pollution. At the same time, a habitat is provided for rare beneficial insects, reptiles and amphibians. Regional projects are also supported by the Eilinger Foundation.
Animal Welfare, Environmental Protection, Sustainability: FreeTheBees - The Honeybee is a Wild Animal
Most people know the honeybee from the beehive. But it also lives without human care in natural tree cavities, rock crevices and old walls – just as its ancestors have for millions of years. It is precisely these wild honeybee colonies that have largely disappeared from our landscape. Since October 2025, the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has listed the wild honeybee in the EU as endangered. Since 2013, FreeTheBees has been working throughout Switzerland to research and protect the honeybee as a wild animal and to give it back natural habitats. FreeTheBees has already installed 181 tree cavities in 19 cantons, thereby creating natural habitat structures and valuable habitats for birds, bats and numerous other species. Protecting the wild honeybee thus becomes a concrete contribution to species-rich and resilient forest ecosystems and was supported by the Eilinger Foundation.
Requests
In line with the foundation's purpose, financial support is granted to:
- Non-profit institutions and organizations operating in both domestic and/or foreign settings that are dedicated to the education and development of children, adolescents, and adults. This includes support for preschool and school education, as well as initiatives for vocational training, further education, or pursuing a degree;
- Non-profit institutions and organizations operating in both domestic and/or foreign settings that are committed to the protection and observance of human rights, particularly focusing on the eradication of child labour;
- Non-profit institutions and organizations operating in both domestic and/or foreign settings that assist individuals or groups in socially and/or economically disadvantaged situations or emergencies. Explicit support may also be provided directly to individuals or groups facing social and/or economic hardships or emergencies;
- Non-profit institutions and organizations, as well as individuals, operating in both domestic and/or foreign settings, engaged in the field of animal welfare/animal rescue and/or activities aimed at the well-being of animals of all kinds. This includes explicit support for smaller entities such as associations;
- Non-profit institutions and organizations, along with individuals or groups, operating in both domestic and/or foreign settings, dedicated to the protection of nature and/or the environment.
It is emphasized that the recipients have no legal claims to foundation benefits. The level of support depends on actual needs and internal funding criteria.
By submitting an application, the applicant undertakes to inform the Eilinger Foundation immediately and without being asked if other institutions grant funds.
The meetings of the Board of Trustees take place quarterly at the end of February, May, August and November. Only applications submitted in full two weeks in advance will be considered.
Next Council Meeting: 2026-11-28
Education
- Application for a scholarship
- Application for private persons (except scholarships)
- Application for associations or organizations
Animal Welfare
- Application for private persons (except scholarships)
- Application for associations or organizations
Human Rights
- Application for private persons (except scholarships)
- Application for associations or organizations
Environmental Protection
- Application for private persons (except scholarships)
- Application for associations or organizations
People in Need
- Application for private persons (except scholarships)
- Application for associations or organizations