The competence center for charitable foundations "The human factor is what counts for us. That applies to working with Credit Suisse, too."
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One in three people will be diagnosed with cancer at some point in their lives. The Swiss Cancer Research Foundation and the non-profit Swiss Cancer League are there to help sufferers through these difficult times. Markus Sallin, Head of Finance, Personnel, and Services at the Swiss Cancer League, spoke to us about the underlying financial structure and the association's partnership with Credit Suisse.
Mr. Sallin, why is it important to be involved in the fight against cancer?
The public health system in Switzerland offers treatment options and support to cancer victims and their families, but nowhere near enough. There are countless aspects that are not covered. The Swiss Cancer Research Foundation and its partner organization, the non-profit Swiss Cancer League, are there to fill in these gaps.
What do the Swiss Cancer Research Foundation and the Swiss Cancer League do?
The goal of the Swiss Cancer Research Foundation is to improve patients' chances of survival and quality of life by funding and promoting research. It supports numerous research projects in pursuit of that goal – including some that the pharmaceutical industry rarely covers. The Swiss Cancer League is there for sufferers and their families to offer personalized consultations – for example, if they want to get a second opinion from experts. Preventing cancer is another key aspect of our work. That includes the matter of how we can mitigate the risk of getting cancer in the first place. The Swiss Cancer League has also promoted and helped to finance the introduction of early diagnosis programs.
Do patients and their families receive direct financial aid as well?
Absolutely. Let me give you an example. A few years ago, I got to know a young mother who was suffering from an incurable form of cancer. She wanted to say goodbye to her young family at home. That was only possible with the installation of a professional hospital bed. Beds like that cost money. The family did not have the financial means to afford one, so the Swiss Cancer League bore the cost.
Providing the services mentioned previously requires capital. How are the Swiss Cancer Research Foundation and the Swiss Cancer League financed?
We are dependent on the goodwill and understanding of people living in Switzerland. That is because the underlying financial basis comes in the form of donations from private individuals and foundations as well as inheritances and bequests. The latter are extremely important for both organizations – and very difficult to predict. A basic prerequisite for any donation or bequest is for people to be familiar with the Swiss Cancer Research Foundation and the Swiss Cancer League. We also need good asset management so that we can finance projects over many years despite uncertainty in planning. We can rely on Credit Suisse as a partner and expert for both aspects, and have been doing so for well over 20 years.
Exactly how does Credit Suisse support you in foundation matters?
We work with Credit Suisse primarily on asset management. That gives us the benefit of its expertise in customized investment strategies. We also receive favorable terms for the services. That shows us that Credit Suisse is conscious of its social responsibility.
As a foundation, what is particularly important to you in terms of investment strategy?
In addition to capital protection that guarantees stability for the foundation, we are very much dependent on capital growth. With that in mind, we do take certain risks with our equity holding, but too much risk is out of the question. We have liabilities due to research projects and need to make sure we do exactly what our donors have trusted us to do. That means that the mix is extremely important. To strike a balance between security and returns, we work with Credit Suisse on reviews of new investment opportunities and periodically scrutinize the investment regulations.
Does sustainability play a role in your choice of investments?
Yes, because donors want to know that we do not support any industries associated with carcinogenic products. However, blindly drawing up exclusion criteria can sometimes have a negative impact on the performance of the investments. That is why we rely on expert advice from Credit Suisse.
What do you value most about Credit Suisse?
Of course, it is a business relationship, but the human factor is key. It is not just about money, but also about establishing contacts and building up networks. We very much appreciate being able to depend on Credit Suisse to mention the Swiss Cancer Research Foundation and the Swiss Cancer League whenever the opportunity presents itself.
A good network acts as an important means of getting the message out. Credit Suisse also offers foundation events. Do you make use of these?
Yes, because the chance to meet representatives of other foundations and professionals from the financial sector opens up new opportunities for us. We can learn from each other when it comes to issues such as sustainable investing. We can also discuss governance rules and how to handle possible declines in donations (due to the coronavirus crisis, for example).
What would your advice be to aspiring philanthropists wanting to use their capital for charitable purposes?
You need to be willing to put your own financial needs on the back burner. If you want to be a philanthropist, you need to focus on one core principle, which is that you have to care for people.