Fondation Lombard Odier’s Inaugural Prize for Academic Excellence in Philanthropy

Jointly established with the University of Geneva, Lombard Odier’s Inaugural Prize for Academic Excellence prize has been awarded to two academic researchers for their work in the field of philanthropy

The Fondation Lombard Odier Prize for Academic Excellence in Philanthropy was awarded yesterday at a University of Geneva’s (UNIGE) conference on taxation and philanthropy. This inaugural award, jointly established by Fondation Lombard Odier and the Geneva Centre for Philanthropy of the University of Geneva, recognises the contribution to the field made by two academic papers written by international researchers.

Awarded every two years, the prize aims to encourage research and academic study in philanthropy, to ensure transfer of knowledge, to respond to practitioners' needs and to extend Geneva's reach as a centre of excellence in this area.

This year's theme – "Designing tax incentives for the common good" – is part of a joint research project launched by the OECD and the Geneva Centre for Philanthropy of the University of Geneva. This first of its kind international comparative study resulted in a milestone report on taxation and philanthropy, which was presented yesterday at a digital conference organised by UNIGE.

The Fondation Lombard Odier Prize for Academic Excellence in Philanthropy jury – chaired by Patrick Odier and made up of renowned figures from the academic sphere – studied 25 unpublished papers produced by researchers in response to the following questions:

• Are tax incentives for philanthropy justified?
• Which types of tax incentives for philanthropic activities should governments favour, and what are their respective strengths?
• Should tax barriers to cross-border philanthropy be eliminated?
• What is the role of tax incentives in corporate philanthropy and social entrepreneurship

The CHF 5,000 award in the junior category of the Fondation Lombard Odier Prize for Academic Excellence in Philanthropy 2020 was awarded to the researchers Caroline Honegger, Romain Carnac, Philip Balsiger and Alexandre Lambelet for their work “Why fiscally encourage philanthropy? The justifications used by political actors in Switzerland (2000-2019)”. In the senior category, the CHF 10,000 first prize went to Richard Steinberg from the Indiana University (USA) for his paper entitled “The Design of Tax Incentives for Giving”. These scientific papers will appear in a paper on philanthropy and taxation published by the Geneva Centre for Philanthropy of the University of Geneva.

Patrick Odier, chair of the Fondation Lombard Odier Prize for Academic Excellence in Philanthropy jury, says: "The prize aims to encourage leading-edge research in the field of philanthropy, expanding the understanding of the discipline and best practices. As part of its social responsibility remit, Lombard Odier and its foundation is committed to moving philanthropy forward and strengthening Geneva's position in this sector on the international stage – in the tradition and spirit of Geneva "

 Maximilian Martin, Head of Philanthropy at the Lombard Odier Group and Secretary General of Fondation Lombard Odier, states: "The philanthropic sector needs to attract more capital and talent to be able to respond to today's challenges. Well-targeted tax incentives and exemptions encourage institutions to invest in projects with a social impact. The prize reflects Fondation Lombard Odier's commitment to consistently promoting the vitality of the philanthropic sector in Switzerland and elsewhere through targeted projects, including academic research. "

 Prof. Henry Peter, Head of the Geneva Centre for Philanthropy, says: "The Centre for Philanthropy of the University of Geneva is delighted that this prestigious prize is being awarded to the best academic papers produced under the umbrella of its project on taxation and philanthropy, a little researched area. The Fondation Lombard Odier Prize for Academic Excellence in Philanthropy recognises very high quality academic contributions. The papers reflect the international and multidisciplinary approach that characterises the Centre and its research and teaching projects. "