The Irene M. Staehelin (IMS) Foundation, established in 2020, aims to fulfil the vision of its benefactor, Irène M. Staehelin-Schindler, to work on the challenges of our times and seek to improve the lives of those most in need. Based in Zurich, the newly funded IMS Foundation will focus its efforts across humanitarian, human rights, women’s rights, development aid and nature and species protection. With a substantial endowment to be spent over 25 years, the IMS Foundation is poised to become a significant force for good at a time of enormous challenges, change and opportunity. The IMS Foundation has chosen to work through a small team and to support a targeted number of partner organisations annually. The purpose of the foundation is to promote humanitarian purposes, human and women's rights, development aid, nature conservation and species protection.