Max Schmidheiny Foundation

The Max Schmidheiny Foundation (German: Max Schmidheiny-Stiftung) is a Swiss foundation based at the University of St. Gallen (HSG). It was established on 18 April 1978 by the industrialist Max Schmidheiny on the occasion of his 70th birthday. According to its own stated purpose, the foundation works for the "preservation and further development of the free economic and social order" (Erhaltung und Weiterentwicklung der freiheitlichen Wirtschafts- und Gesellschaftsordnung). The foundation is governed by a foundation council (Stiftungsrat) chaired by Thomas Schmidheiny, one of the founder's sons. Andreas R. Kirchschläger, CEO of the elea Foundation for Ethics in Globalization and former managing director of the St. Gallen Foundation for International Studies, serves as delegate. Further council members include the economist Monika Bütler, the professor of finance and economic policy Reiner Eichenberger, the FDP politician and Bundestag member Ann-Veruschka Jurisch, the supervisory board member Barbara Kux, the Asia affairs publicist and consultant Urs Schoettli, and Zeno Staub, CEO of Vontobel Holding AG. At the University of St. Gallen the foundation finances the "Max Schmidheiny Foundation Professorship for Entrepreneurship and Risk" (Max Schmidheiny-Stiftungsprofessur für Unternehmertum und Risiko). From 1979 to 2003 it awarded the "Freedom Prize" (Freiheitspreis). Prize winners included politicians such as José María Figueres Olsen and Carlos Salinas de Gortari, managers such as Hans L. Merkle, and organizations such as Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty. The last recipient was former UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan. The foundation also contributed financial and academic support to the realization of two publications: "Schweizerische Wirtschaftspolitik im internationalen Wettbewerb. Eine ordnungspolitische Analyse" and "Mut zum Aufbruch. Eine wirtschaftspolitische Agenda für die Schweiz". The foundation operates as a non-profit grant-making and academic-support body rather than a commercial enterprise, but it functions as a branded institutional entity within the Swiss economic-policy and academic landscape.

The Max Schmidheiny Foundation was founded on 18 April 1978 by the Swiss industrialist Max Schmidheiny, on the occasion of his 70th birthday. It is based at the University of St. Gallen (HSG) in Switzerland. Its stated purpose is the "preservation and further development of the free economic and social order". From 1979 to 2003 the foundation awarded the "Freedom Prize" (Freiheitspreis). Recipients included politicians such as José María Figueres Olsen and Carlos Salinas de Gortari, managers such as Hans L. Merkle, and organizations such as Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty. The final prize was awarded to former UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan. At the University of St. Gallen, the foundation finances the "Max Schmidheiny Foundation Professorship for Entrepreneurship and Risk". It has also provided both financial and academic support for the realization of two publications: "Schweizerische Wirtschaftspolitik im internationalen Wettbewerb. Eine ordnungspolitische Analyse" and "Mut zum Aufbruch. Eine wirtschaftspolitische Agenda für die Schweiz". The foundation is led by a foundation council (Stiftungsrat) presided over by Thomas Schmidheiny, one of the founder's sons. Andreas R. Kirchschläger serves as delegate. Other council members include Monika Bütler, Reiner Eichenberger, Ann-Veruschka Jurisch, Barbara Kux, Urs Schoettli, and Zeno Staub.

• 2003

  Last Freedom Prize awarded, to Kofi Annan.

• 1979

  Foundation begins awarding the Freedom Prize (Freiheitspreis).

• 1978

  Foundation established on 18 April by Max Schmidheiny on his 70th birthday.

A non-profit Swiss foundation promoting a free economic and social order through academic funding and public awards.

• Max Schmidheiny Foundation Professorship for Entrepreneurship and Risk

  A professorship at the University of St. Gallen financed by the foundation.

• Freiheitspreis (Freedom Prize)

  Awarded from 1979 to 2003 to individuals and organizations.

1. 1Max Schmidheiny Foundation on Wikidatawikidata.org
2. 2Max Schmidheiny-Stiftung – Wikipedia (German)de.wikipedia.org
3. 3Max Schmidheiny Foundation websitemax-schmidheiny.foundation