Our philanthropic commitment

Group of smiling schoolchildren in uniforms with braided hair waving at the camera. The scene conveys joy and camaraderie in an outdoor setting.

For more than 100 years, Roche has partnered with non-profit organisations to empower healthier and more resilient communities. Through these collaborations, we help to advance science and education, support humanitarian responses, foster vibrant arts and culture, protect and nurture the environment and enable communities to thrive. We also connect our employees with communities and good causes, enabling meaningful impact beyond the workplace. The common purpose of our activities is to make a lasting impact by building stronger and healthier communities. We are global citizens supporting local efforts.

We aim to strengthen communities where we live and work via our local offices in more than 90 countries around the world and contribute to broader society through our global headquarters. We are global citizens supporting local efforts.

Our aspirations

We have three key aspirations that guide us in our mission to empower resilient and healthy communities where we live, work, and beyond.

Protecting what sustains us

We support primary healthcare systems and help to conserve, protect and build back the nature around us so that communities around the world can benefit from innovative healthcare solutions.

Equipping future generations

We empower people, especially youth, in cultivating both scientific and artistic understanding so that they are equipped with the knowledge, emotional intelligence and creative risk-taking to shape the future.

Sparking purposeful engagement

We create opportunities for employees to step beyond their daily routines and connect them with communities and impactful initiatives so that they are inspired and involved in our collective contributions to society.

Our focus areas

We primarily support programmes that will benefit from an active, long-term commitment on our part. An emphasis is placed on projects that make a difference through innovation, collaboration, quality and sustainability.

Funds and in-kind contributions are directed toward four areas:

Humanitarian and socialprojects that have long-term impact and benefits
Science and educationprogrammes for students and teachers
Arts and culturewith an emphasis on vibrant contemporary and innovative activities
Community and environmentprojects, including disaster relief

By selectively developing and supporting innovative solutions and by applying our core knowledge together with leading partners, the aim is to apply simple measures that result in lasting improvements for society. We believe that this collaborative, value-based approach demonstrates that Roche and its partners are committed to effective outcomes. Our expectation is that our partners share the risk, commitment and investment of respective resources in the implementation of a project.

Collaborating locally and internationally

Roche-supported projects are managed at the respective global and/or local affiliate levels. By selecting and managing local philanthropic projects through the respective local offices, we can better focus on community needs and circumstances to maximise impact.

On the global level, collaborations with NGOs are typically for long-term projects that may encompass multiple countries. Examples of signature, international corporate projects are:

The Roche Children’s Walk:our biggest employee engagement & philanthropic event
Roche Continents:our science and arts education programme
Our disaster responses:rebuilding activities after significant disasters
Unjani Clinic:empowering nurses to run their own clinics in South Africa

Monitoring and assessing impact

When assessing projects, the main measure of success or value is potential impact to the community and beneficiaries - not material return on investment. We believe that good corporate citizenship is fundamental to our company practices, rather than something undertaken for publicity purposes.

Cartoon illustration of children joyfully swinging together on a swing set in a vibrant outdoor setting

Roche Children’s WalkAbout Roche

Every year our employees around the world join forces to support children in need.

Helping to rebuild communitiesStories

From rebuilding houses to providing mosquito nets, disaster relief is about showing up as a real partner to society when it’s most needed.

Responding to natural disasters sustainablyAbout Roche

For communities that have experienced a major natural disaster, we support community rebuilding and humanitarian projects.

Partnerships empowering communities in South AfricaAbout Roche

The Transnet-Phelophepa trains are mobile healthcare clinics that travel nine months out of the year to areas of rural South Africa.

Community and EnvironmentAbout Roche

We are committed to building stronger communities and responding to natural disasters sustainably.

Philanthropic partnership with ETH ZurichAbout Roche

Roche partnered with ETH Zurich to enable PhD students and postdoctoral scientist from developing countries to attend the 14th ICOBTE held in Zurich.

Humanitarian and SocialAbout Roche

We are committed to creating meaningful humanitarian and social impact through enduring, trusted partnerships with non-profit organisations.

PhilanthropyAbout Roche

A tradition of philanthropy has existed at Roche for more than a century. We support an array of causes and initiatives with the common purpose of making a positive lasting impact on our communities.

Roche employee secondment programmeAbout Roche

We offer a skills-based volunteering programme for employees to help non-profit organisations on health- and education-related projects.

Read about our philantropy activities around the world:

Downloads

Our policy

PDF