“We don't have time to apply.”
A rejected application cost 32 hours on average, an accepted one 63 (2019 data). That time is then missing from the project.
Weeks of work per application. And often, a rejection with no reason.
Levier finds the Swiss foundations whose statutory purpose covers your project, checks their deadlines and writes a letter to each. Your organisation reads, signs and sends.
- Fixed fees, never a percentage
- Your organisation signs and sends
- Letters in French, German and English
63 hof preparation on average for an accepted application
42 %of rejections come with no reason at all
2–4decision meetings a year at several large foundations
Sources: Grantee Review Report (CEPS, University of Basel, and SwissFoundations, 2019 data); rules of the FASC and the UBS Culture Foundation.
Where your weeks go
“We don't know which foundations to write to.”
Switzerland has 13,782 public-benefit foundations (end of 2025). Only some of them give grants, and some accept no unsolicited applications.
“Rejections come with no explanation.”
A late or incomplete file is set aside without review, and one outside the purpose often is too. The rejection gives no reason, and you start again without knowing what to change.
These rejections have causes that can be fixed: a purpose that does not cover the project, a template letter, a submission after the deadline.
A missed meeting delays the project by 3 to 6 months.
Several large foundations decide two to four times a year and want the file about four months before the project starts. A project that has already begun is generally no longer funded.
What you receive, and when
Deliverables and their dates are written in the quote, before we start.
- 15 minutes
The first conversation
You present the project and the missing amount. We tell you whether foundations can fund it and whether our offer is useful to you.
- 2 weeks
The map of your funders
20 to 30 foundations out of nearly 15,000. For each: the sentence of its purpose that matches your project, its deadline, the documents required, and whether it accepts applications.
- 4 weeks
One letter per foundation
It quotes the foundation's purpose and says what its support would fund, in French, German or English. You read, sign and send.
- 6 months
The calendar kept
Every submission before its deadline, a follow-up at the right time, every answer recorded, a written update each month.
Try it with your project
Describe your project in one sentence: here are French-speaking Swiss foundations whose statutory purpose uses your words.
Fixed prices, written before we start
Indicative amounts. The quote sets the hours and the dated deliverables. No percentage of the funds obtained.
Diagnostic
CHF 750
To know whether and where to look.
- 5 verified priority foundations
- Comparable Loterie Romande amounts
- Your submission dates
Campaign
CHF 3,500
To fund one specific project.
- Map of 20 to 30 foundations
- 10 letters, one per foundation
- Calendar and follow-ups over 6 months
- Written update every month
Ongoing support
CHF 650 / month
For organisations that fund several projects.
- Applications throughout the year
- Reports to foundations after approval
- Watch for new foundations
Our guarantee
If we do not find at least 15 foundations whose purpose matches your project, the Diagnostic is free. The decision rests with each foundation's board.
No commission. The application stays yours.
Swissfundraising rules out commissions on funds obtained (ethical principles, ch. 4), and the Ernst Göhner Foundation refuses applications tied to a commission. Levier charges fixed fees; your organisation signs and sends.
Who is behind Levier
Alexandre Cazes graduated from the IHEID and worked as a scientific adviser for the RTS. To fund two master's degrees he wrote to more than a hundred foundations: on the applicant side, he did himself the work he offers you.
- CHF 100'000+obtained from foundations for two master's degrees
- 100+foundations approached to fund his studies
- FR · DE · ENlanguages the letters are written in
Frequently asked questions
Why pay you if we can write ourselves?
You can. The question is time: 63 hours of preparation on average for an accepted application (Grantee Review Report, 2019 data). If your team has that time and knows the foundations in its field, the Diagnostic (CHF 750) is enough: it tells you where to write.
What if we already have someone for fundraising?
Then Levier works for that person: foundation map, deadlines, first drafts of the letters. Your colleague keeps the relationship, chooses, corrects and signs. That contact matters: 76% of supported projects had spoken with the foundation, against about a third of rejected ones (2019 data).
How many foundations will say yes?
We cannot promise that: the decision belongs to each foundation's board, and a good file can be rejected. We will publish no success rate until we have enough campaigns to calculate one. Our commitment covers the work: foundations whose purpose matches, a letter for each, deadlines met.
What sets you apart from a foundation list you can buy?
A list gives names. For each foundation we check that it accepts applications, its deadline and the documents required, then write a letter that quotes its purpose. You receive letters ready to sign and a submission calendar.
Why not a percentage of the funds obtained?
The ethical principles of Swissfundraising (ch. 4) rule out commissions on funds obtained and tie fees to the work done. The Ernst Göhner Foundation also refuses applications tied to a commission. With a fixed price you know in advance what you pay.
Don't foundations dislike agencies?
They distrust commissions and template letters. The guide co-signed by SwissFoundations advises against handing applications to professionals, mainly because of commissions. Hence our rules: fixed fees, one letter per foundation, and your organisation signs, sends and answers.
Who signs and sends the applications?
Your organisation, always. Levier sends no letter on your behalf. You read each letter, correct it if needed, sign it and send it; the foundation answers you directly.
What do you do with our documents?
They are used only to prepare your applications and go to no foundation without your agreement. You can ask for them to be erased at any time. On request, we tell you in writing where they are stored and which providers have access.
Do you use artificial intelligence?
Yes, for searching: reading the purposes of thousands of foundations and finding their deadlines. Each letter is read and corrected by a person, then by you. No figure goes in unless it comes from your documents.
From what amount is it worth it?
Compare the missing amount with the price. The Campaign costs CHF 3,500 (indicative): it makes sense when the amount you seek is clearly above that price. For a small amount, start with the Diagnostic (CHF 750). We discuss it in the first conversation, with figures in hand.
Let's talk about your project.
15 minutes by video, free of charge. Have the project budget, the missing amount and the start date to hand.