The Z Zurich Foundation marked a record-breaking year in 2024, delivering support to 10.5 million people globally - an increase of 179% from the previous year - according to its latest impact report. This surge was underpinned by strategic investments and expanded programming in its four core focus areas: climate adaptation, mental wellbeing, social equity, and crisis response.
The Foundation’s flagship Zurich Climate Resilience Alliance reached 1.3 million lives, up 58% from 2023, reflecting the programme’s shift from a flood-exclusive focus to addressing broader climate hazards such as heat and storms. “We are starting to see the value of our approach - first understand the issues and then design local action to drive impact,” said David Nash, head of adapting to climate change.
Mental wellbeing emerged as the Foundation’s most expansive pillar, impacting 6.7 million individuals, with 2.78 million experiencing transformational outcomes. These initiatives particularly supported Ukrainian youth in Italy and Poland and scaled up following pilot successes. “Nearly all programmes delivered impact at scale… to promote mental wellbeing in the most sustainable way,” said Sofyen Khalfaoui, head of improving mental wellbeing.
Efforts in social equity reached 950,000 people, nearly four times the 2023 total, through tailored educational and economic resilience initiatives. Meanwhile, disaster response reached 97,000 individuals through more than 30 emergency efforts globally - a 258% increase.
In financial terms, the Foundation received CHF 47.99 million in donations in 2024, primarily from Zurich Insurance Group members. Grant donations across all pillars totalled CHF 35.7 million, and 11 new multi-year commitments raised total provisions by CHF 2.6 million.
The Foundation ended the year with CHF 41.7 million in investment reserves, an increase of CHF 1.3 million. All investments remain 100% sustainable, contributing to a CO₂ reduction of 5,691 tons and the addition of 4,164 kW of renewable energy.
Chair Gary Shaughnessy highlighted the significance of collaboration in today’s divided world. “Even our most enduring and impactful programme has evolved,” he said, referencing the expansion of climate resilience efforts into urban settings. Gregory Renand, head of the foundation, added that 2024 laid the groundwork for reaching 25 million lives by 2027: “Behind every figure is a life impacted, a barrier removed and a future redesigned for the better.”
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