Fondation Etoile filante

What Fondation Etoile filante does

Fondation Etoile filante (legal name: Stiftung Kinderhilfe Sternschnuppe, CHE-109.515.848) is a Swiss charitable foundation founded in 1993 and headquartered in Zurich (Weinbergstrasse 131), with a regional office in Lausanne (Boulevard de Grancy 37) serving French-speaking Switzerland. The foundation fulfills the wishes of children and adolescents aged 6–18 living with serious illness or disability in Switzerland, and supports their families, through a three-pillar model: (i) Rêves (Dreams) — personalized wish fulfillment via medical coordination and named 'rêalisateur de rêves' staff; (ii) Loisirs Etoile filante — free access to 40+ cultural and leisure partners (zoos, museums, railways, theme parks) via a dedicated card and mobile app; and (iii) Projets Etoile filante — co-funding of institutional projects such as camps and class trips for schools and associations serving beneficiary children. As of 2025, the foundation reports 4,000+ dreams fulfilled cumulatively, 353 dreams in 2025 alone, 45,000+ leisure entries, and 91 institutional projects supported.

The foundation is staffed by approximately 14 employees across the two offices plus 75 volunteers, with two co-directors (Nicole Sami in Zurich, Olivier Geissler in Lausanne), a five-member Board of Trustees chaired by Dr Natalie Peter, and a 12-member Advisory Board of medical professionals from major Swiss pediatric hospitals. Technology is non-proprietary: a mobile application (app.sternschnuppe.ch, mandatory for leisure bookings since 1 July 2024) sits on standard web infrastructure, alongside Mailfino newsletters, payment processors, and a CRM/database for donor and family management. There is no AI/ML capability, no development platform, and no external API.

The foundation is funded exclusively by donations — individual gifts, corporate and foundation partnerships (BCV, AMAG, The Body Shop Suisse, etc.), event-based giving, and memorial/legacy giving — with no equity, debt, or venture-capital structure. Every CHF 100 donation is allocated 79% to mission, 10% to communications, and 11% to administration (2025 figures). It is a tax-exempt public utility organization under supervision of the Swiss Federal Supervisory Authority for Foundations (ASF/ESA), with annual audits by Rekonta Revisions AG. Revenue is not publicly disclosed; the organization is community-led, with no paid acquisition, relying on word-of-mouth, medical network referrals, partner promotion, and earned media. Service is direct and free of charge to beneficiaries; key delivery partners include SWISS, CFF/SBB, Rega, the Swiss Football Association (UEFA Foundation for Children), and Reka.

Name

Fondation Etoile filante

Legal name

Stiftung Kinderhilfe Sternschnuppe

Website

https://etoilefilante.ch

Company type

Private

Founded year

1993

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Fondation Etoile filante is a Swiss charitable foundation, founded 1993, that fulfills wishes of children aged 6–18 living with illness or disability in Switzerland through three programs — Dreams, Loisirs leisure access, and institutional project funding — operating nationwide from Zurich and Lausanne with ~14 staff and 75 volunteers, funded entirely by donations.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Lausanne

HQ country

Switzerland

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Individual Donations: Individual donors contribute one-time or recurring donations. Donors receive thank-you letters for donations above CHF 50.00 and annual tax attestation certificates. E-banking transfers to the dedicated IBAN (CH68 0900 0000 8774 3773 9) are free of charge; Twint and credit card payments incur transaction fees.
2. Corporate and Foundation Partnerships: Corporate partners and grant-making foundations provide financial support. From CHF 5,000 contribution, organizations are mentioned in the annual report and on the website. Contact person is Nicole Sami, Co-director.
3. Event-Based Giving: Supporters organize events (sports challenges, bake sales, concerts, auctions) whose proceeds are donated. The foundation provides QR payment slips, Twint codes, and promotional materials for these actions.
4. Memorial and Legacy Donations: In lieu of flowers at funerals, donors direct memorial gifts to the foundation. The foundation also accepts planned giving and bequests through estate planning.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Fondation Etoile filante is a Swiss charitable foundation that fulfills the most cherished dreams of children and adolescents (ages 6-18) living with serious illness or disability, providing free personalized dream experiences (e.g., meeting celebrities, aviation experiences, theme park visits). It also operates the Loisirs Etoile filante leisure program (free entry to 40+ cultural and recreational partner institutions across Switzerland) and the Projets Etoile filante institutional project funding program. All services are provided free of charge to beneficiary families and funded exclusively through donations.

Product overview

Fondation Etoile filante operates as a charitable foundation offering three interconnected services: Rêves (Dreams fulfillment), Loisirs Etoile filante (leisure activities), and Projets Etoile filante (project funding). The foundation provides dream fulfillment services to children ages 6-18 living with illness or disability in Switzerland, creating memorable experiences such as meeting celebrities, visiting attractions, and family adventures. Loisirs Etoile filante complements this through a leisure card program providing free entry to partner cultural and recreational institutions across Switzerland, now managed through a dedicated mobile application launched in 2024. Projets Etoile filante offers financial support for institutions and associations organizing recreational activities for beneficiaries. The foundation is headquartered in Zurich with a regional office in Lausanne, operates under federal foundation supervision, and is financed entirely through donations.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Rêves (Dreams) Personalized wish fulfillment for children aged 6–18 living with serious illness or disability in Switzerland. Dreams include meeting celebrities, aviation experiences, theme park visits (e.g., Disneyland), helicopter experiences (Rega), locomotive rides (CFF), football encounters (SFV), and family adventures. A dedicated 'dream realizer' (réalisatrice de rêves) staff member manages each dream end-to-end.
• Loisirs Etoile filante Free leisure access program for families of children aged 6–18 living with illness or disability, providing free entry to 40+ cultural and recreational partner institutions across Switzerland (zoos, museums, theme parks, railways). Managed through the Etoile filante application since 1 July 2024. Over 45,000 leisure entries have been organized.
• Projets Etoile filante Financial support program for leisure projects organized by institutions, specialized schools, and associations serving children with illness or disability. Funds class trips, ski camps, circus weeks, sailing trips, and similar projects. 91 projects were supported in 2025.
• Etoile filante Mobile Application Mobile/web application for beneficiary families to reserve free leisure entries to partner institutions in the Loisirs Etoile filante program. Replaced the prior Etoile filante Card and printable entry forms.
• Etoiles d'anniversaire (Birthday Stars) Specialized birthday celebration service for children living with illness or disability, enabling an unforgettable at-home festive day when travel-based dreams are not feasible.

Quantifiable outcome

• 4,000 dreams realized since 1993, including 353 in 2025 alone.
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

19 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• SWISS (Swiss International Air Lines)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 22 November 2024Long-standing partnership enabling dream realizations involving aviation. SWISS provides flight experiences, crew interactions, and exclusive airport/fleet access for children. In November 2024, the 4000th dream was realized with SWISS — Vincent, a 12-year-old with Down syndrome, spent a day as cabin crew on a SWISS flight.
• Reka (Swiss Holiday Co-operative)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEtoile filante families receive a 10% discount on vacation apartment bookings at all Reka villages and residences across Switzerland, as well as Parkhotel Brenscino. Valid for bookings from November 16, 2021. The foundation verifies family eligibility.
• 40+ Swiss Cultural and Leisure InstitutionscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner institutions include: Zoo Basel, Zoo Zurich, Zoo Servion, Papiliorama, Technorama, Swiss Museum of Transport (Verkehrshaus), Maison Cailler, Aquatis, Chaplin's World, Europapark, Disneyland Paris, Glacier Express, Rigi, and many others. These institutions provide free entry to Etoile filante families via the Loisirs Etoile filante card/app.
• Swiss Federal Railways (CFF/SBB)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCFF locomotive engineers and staff facilitate dream days for children passionate about trains. Children have ridden in locomotive cabs, on historic steam trains, and on the Glacier Express. Railway staff act as volunteer dream facilitators.
• Rega (Swiss Air Rescue Guard)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRega enables children to visit helicopter bases and experience helicopter flights as part of their dream. Rega staff coordinate visits and provide exclusive behind-the-scenes access.
• UEFA Foundation for ChildrenminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerJoint program with the UEFA Foundation for Children organizing football-related dream experiences and family events. Etoile filante coordinates with Swiss Football Association staff to facilitate player encounters and stadium visits.
• Alejandro Reyes (Ambassador/Musician)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSinger-songwriter Alejandro Reyes serves as foundation ambassador. Born without a left hand, he performs 8–9 concerts annually at CHUV pediatric ward and institutions in French-speaking Switzerland, bringing music to seriously ill children. Appointed ambassador in March 2019.
• Swiss Football Association (SFV/ASF)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational football team and association staff facilitate dream realizations for young football fans. Players meet children, and the association provides tickets and stadium access. The partnership is validated by positive statements from association media manager Stefan Baumgartner.
• The Body Shop SuisseminorGTM or Marketing PartnerDuring November–December 2022, The Body Shop Suisse ran a Christmas donation campaign ('Wishes and Wonders') in support of Etoile filante.
• Swiss Post (La Poste Suisse)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerSwiss Post's winter postcard campaign donated CHF 0.50 per card sent to Etoile filante, doubling the joy of holiday messages.
• Indian Motorcycle SwitzerlandminorGTM or Marketing PartnerIndian Motorcycle Switzerland auctioned a unique Indian Scout Bobber motorcycle, with proceeds benefiting Etoile filante.
• Banque Cantonale Vaudoise (BCV)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerBCV's 'star teddy' savings account product donates CHF 10 to Etoile filante for each account opened. BCV has supported the foundation for 10 years.
• AMAG GroupminorGTM or Marketing PartnerAMAG Group's internal 'WE MOVE' cultural program involved employees cycling around the world in 63 days, raising funds for Etoile filante.
• ASRIMM (Association Suisse Romande Intervenant contre les Maladies neuro-Musculaires)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerASRIMM organizes camps and activities for children with neuromuscular diseases, co-funded by Etoile filante's Projets Etoile filante program. Multiple joint projects documented since 2022.
• Cerebral Vaud and Cerebral GenèveminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCerebral associations (parents of children with cerebral palsy) organize summer camps and outings co-funded by Etoile filante. Annual fair for Cerebral Vaud's 60th anniversary was supported.
• Insieme (Schweiz/Suisse)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerInseme (organization for people with intellectual disabilities) organizes summer camps and circus weeks at Clos Fleuri, with Etoile filante providing project funding.
• Fondation Paint a SmileminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPaint a Smile transforms hospital rooms and corridors into colorful worlds with animals and characters. Etoile filante co-funds this project bringing joy to hospitalized children.
• Différences SolidairesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAssociation providing adapted skiing experiences for people with reduced mobility. Etoile filante co-funds ski camp projects.
• Fondation Cap Loisirs, GenevaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGeneva foundation offering leisure activities for children with disabilities. Etoile filante co-funds their 'Indiens et aventure nature' summer camp.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves11 records

Expansion highlights3 records

Direct peers

• Starlight Children's Foundation: Major international wish-granting and hospital entertainment charity serving seriously ill children. Comparable in serving pediatric beneficiaries with serious illnesses, though broader in scope (including in-hospital programs) than Etoile filante.
• Dreams Come True: UK-based wish-granting charity for children and young people with serious and life-limiting conditions. Comparable in mission scope (ages 5–18, illness/disability focus) and partner-driven experiential fulfillment model.
• Sunshine Foundation: US-based charity granting wishes to children with severe chronic illnesses, disabilities, and trauma. Comparable mission focus on individualized dream fulfillment for medically vulnerable children.
• Make-A-Wish Foundation: The global flagship wish-granting organization for children with critical illnesses. Operates in 50+ countries with a similar three-pillar approach (wish granting, family support, advocacy) and a comparable partner-driven experiential model. Most directly comparable in mission, beneficiary profile, and corporate partnership structure.
• Children's Wish Foundation International: International wish-granting organization serving children with life-threatening illnesses. Comparable beneficiary profile (children with critical illness) and experiential wish fulfillment model.
• Dream Foundation: Wish-granting organization serving adults, children, and families with life-limiting illnesses. Comparable in individual dream fulfillment methodology and reliance on corporate experiential partners.
• Make-A-Wish Switzerland (Make-A-Wish Schweiz): The Swiss national affiliate of Make-A-Wish, fulfilling wishes for seriously ill children in Switzerland. Most geographically comparable peer — directly competes for Swiss donor attention, hospital referrals, and corporate partnerships alongside Etoile filante.

Regional players

• Pro Juventute: Large Swiss children's aid foundation operating across multiple child welfare areas. Comparable as a Swiss nonprofit competing for the same donor base and corporate partnerships, though broader in scope and not exclusively focused on wish-granting.

Others

• Ronald McDonald House Charities Switzerland: Swiss chapter of the global Ronald McDonald House Charities supporting families of hospitalized children. Comparable as a Swiss nonprofit serving families of seriously ill children, though with a different service model (accommodation vs. wish fulfillment).

Emerging players

• Wishes & More: US wish-granting organization with a similar three-pillar model (individual wishes, ongoing family support, legacy programs). Comparable in extending beyond single wishes to ongoing family engagement.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCtwnkf21wGIwF1dVSu_sQIQ
• Facebookfacebook.com/fondationetoilefilante
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/fondation-etoile-filante
• Instagraminstagram.com/fondation_etoile_filante

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Fondation Etoile filante