MAVA Foundation
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1994
- HeadquartersGland, Switzerland
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
MAVA Foundation firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- MAVA Foundation
- Legal name
- MAVA Foundation
- Website
- https://mava-foundation.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1994
- Operating status
- Closed
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
MAVA Foundation industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Conservation Philanthropy
- NAICS
- Grantmaking Foundations (813211), Grantmaking and Giving Services (81321)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Environmental & Climate Grantmaking Foundations (BPAGAKAM)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Private Foundations (BPAGAKAA), International Grantmaking & Development Foundations (BPAGAKAH)
Keywords
Where MAVA Foundation is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Gland
- HQ country
- Switzerland
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices2 records
Markets served
MAVA Foundation business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Operations, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Philanthropic Grant-making: MAVA Foundation operated as a family foundation funded by beneficial interest in Roche shares owned by Luc Hoffmann and his children. The foundation allocated grants to conservation projects rather than generating commercial revenue. Funding came directly from dividend transfers and was committed until 2022, after which the foundation closed.
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels1 record
Marketing channels4 records
MAVA Foundation product offering
Product offeringCore offering
MAVA Foundation was a Swiss philanthropic family foundation that allocated grants to NGOs, universities, and government agencies for biodiversity and nature conservation across four geographic programs: Mediterranean Basin, West Africa, Switzerland, and Sustainable Economy. The foundation operated as an 'engaged donor' providing not just funding but also accompanying support, organizational development, and strategic convening to build partner capacity. The foundation closed in 2022 after 28 years of operation.
Product overview
MAVA Foundation is a philanthropy organization that operated as a grant-making foundation focused on nature conservation from 1994-2022. The foundation closed in 2022 after allocating CHF 1.14 billion across 1,500 projects with over 500 partners. Its digital presence comprises a legacy library containing commemorative publications, final evaluations, learning products, and videos documenting conservation work across the Mediterranean Basin, West Africa, Switzerland, and Sustainable Economy programmes. The foundation's legacy products include the MAVA Leaders for Nature Academy for leadership development, the Conservation Learning Initiative for evidence-based learning, and various WaterBear film collaborations showcasing conservation outcomes.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- MAVA Legacy Library A digital archive containing MAVA's commemorative book, final evaluations, learning products, videos, blogs, and publications documenting the foundation's 28 years of conservation work from 1994-2022, made available to the philanthropic and conservation community.
- Learning Products A collection of learning reports and blogs sharing MAVA's experiences and lessons as a funder, designed as legacy resources for the philanthropic and conservation community.
- Final Evaluations Comprehensive evaluations of MAVA's programmes including Mediterranean Basin, West Africa, Switzerland, Sustainable Economy, and Impact & Sustainability Unit, documenting outcomes from 1994-2022.
- Conservation Learning Initiative A website and associated resources focused on evidence-based learning to improve conservation impact, developed as part of MAVA's legacy.
- MAVA Leaders for Nature Academy A leadership development programme supporting young professionals in conservation to ensure capable leaders continue the conservation movement after MAVA's closure, developed with Common Purpose.
- MAVA x WaterBear Films A collection of short videos documenting conservation work across MAVA's focal regions, including Doñana National Park, Camargue, Prespa Lakes, Bijagos Archipelago, and Banc d'Arguin National Park, produced in partnership with WaterBear.
Quantifiable outcome
- 1,500 conservation projects funded over 28 years
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use MAVA Foundation
Customer profileNamed customers10 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles1 record
MAVA Foundation technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
MAVA Foundation partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
16 partnerships are on record, tiered core and major.
- Fondation Internationale du Banc d'Arguin (FIBA)coreFIBA was merged into MAVA in May-June 2014. Originally established by Luc Hoffmann (MAVA's founder) to implement conservation projects in Banc d'Arguin and West Africa, FIBA brought capacity development skills, organizational strengthening expertise, and ground presence. The merger expanded MAVA from 9 to 21 staff, with 11 people based in Dakar and Nouakchott, enabling MAVA to become an 'engaged donor' in West Africa.
- IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature)coreIUCN is a key global conservation partner. MAVA was headquartered alongside IUCN in Gland, Switzerland. IUCN provided technical expertise and network access across MAVA's geographic programs including Mediterranean, West Africa, and Sustainable Economy.
- WWF InternationalcoreWWF entities across multiple countries (WWF Spain, WWF France, WWF Greece, WWF Switzerland, WWF International) were key partners in MAVA's conservation programs, particularly in Mediterranean Basin and West Africa.
- BirdLife InternationalcoreBirdLife International and its national members (BirdLife Cyprus, BirdLife Malta, BirdLife Österreich, BirdLife Switzerland, SEO BirdLife Spain, SPEA Portugal) were key conservation partners across MAVA's geographic programs.
- Mediterranean Association to Save the Sea Turtles (MEDASSET)majorLong-term partner in marine turtle conservation in Mediterranean, supporting nesting site protection and conservation activities.
- Society for the Protection of Prespa (SPP)majorKey partner in the Prespa Lakes region of the Balkans, working on wetland conservation and local community engagement for biodiversity protection.
- Tour du ValatmajorLong-standing partner focused on wetlands and waterbird conservation in the Camargue region of France.
- Conservation Finance Alliance (CFA)majorPartner in developing sustainable financing mechanisms for biodiversity conservation, helping create long-term funding beyond philanthropy.
- Ellen MacArthur FoundationmajorSelected as single partner for circular economy initiative in China, chosen for reputation, reliable working relationships, and long-term commitment to the circular economy topic.
- WaterBearmajorPartnership for producing documentary videos showcasing MAVA-supported conservation work at iconic sites including Doñana, Camargue, Prespa, Bijagos, and Banc d'Arguin.
- Leaders for Nature AcademycoreProgram developed with Common Purpose to support future conservation leaders, ensuring young professionals can lead conservation movements in years to come.
- Parc National du Banc d'Arguin (PNBA)coreKey partner in Mauritania, the foundation worked with PNBA over decades to support conservation at one of West Africa's most important wetland sites.
- The Nature ConservancycoreGlobal conservation organization partnered with MAVA across multiple programs including Mediterranean and sustainable economy initiatives.
- Peace Parks FoundationmajorPartner in transboundary conservation area development, supporting conservation across borders.
- Luc Hoffmann InstitutemajorNamed after MAVA's founder, the institute worked on conservation innovation and knowledge sharing.
- Prince Albert II of Monaco FoundationmajorEuropean conservation foundation partner, collaborated on shared conservation goals in Mediterranean region.
Scale indicators4 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights3 records
MAVA Foundation competitors and assessment
Company assessmentMarket position
Competitive moat3 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
MAVA Foundation social profiles
Digital presenceMAVA Foundation compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance1 record
MAVA Foundation financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
MAVA Foundation leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles11 records
MAVA Foundation funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
MAVA Foundation M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about MAVA Foundation
What does MAVA Foundation do?
MAVA Foundation was a Swiss philanthropic family foundation that allocated grants to NGOs, universities, and government agencies for biodiversity and nature conservation across four geographic programs: Mediterranean Basin, West Africa, Switzerland, and Sustainable Economy. The foundation operated as an 'engaged donor' providing not just funding but also accompanying support, organizational development, and strategic convening to build partner capacity. The foundation closed in 2022 after 28 years of operation.
Is MAVA Foundation a public or private company?
MAVA Foundation is a private company. It is classified as family owned and is currently closed.
When was MAVA Foundation founded?
MAVA Foundation was founded in 1994. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is MAVA Foundation based?
MAVA Foundation is headquartered in Gland, Switzerland, in the Europe region.
How does MAVA Foundation make money?
One revenue line is on record: philanthropic Grant-making.
Does MAVA Foundation have an API?
No public API is recorded for MAVA Foundation.
What industry is MAVA Foundation in?
MAVA Foundation's product category is Conservation Philanthropy. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAGAKAM, Environmental & Climate Grantmaking Foundations, with a secondary code of BPAGAKAA, Private Foundations. Its NAICS code is 813211.