The SST Foundation was founded in 2001 by SSR Travel, Swiss Student Travel Office (cooperative), Zurich. Since its foundation in 1962, the cooperative SSR Travel became one of the leading tour operators in Switzerland. In 1998, the travel business was sold to the STA Travel Group, London. In 2004, the cooperative SSR Travel was dissolved.

The General Assembly decided to contribute a large part of the cooperative’s assets as capital to the SST Foundation. With this capital, the Foundation was entrusted with the long-term task of continuing the work towards the non-materialistic objectives of the cooperative SSR Travel.

The SST Foundation is a non-profit foundation and exempted from tax. As a foundation engaged in international activities, it is under federal supervision.