The UBS Optimus Foundation, a partner of the Black Jaguar Foundation in restoring the Araguaia Biodiversity Corridor, marked an important milestone with the inauguration of its first office in Brazil and its first presence in South America.
For the Black Jaguar Foundation, being part of this moment was especially meaningful. Among the partner organizations present, we were one of three organizations selected to take part in the event’s main panel, alongside Fundação Lemann and Onçafari.
Representing BJF, Ben Valks presented the organization’s mission and the impact of the Araguaia Biodiversity Corridor, sharing how large-scale restoration depends on building long-term partnerships and bringing together different sources of funding that can work in complementary ways.
The panel also featured Tom Hall, Global Head of Social Impact and Philanthropy at UBS, as well as leaders from the UBS Optimus Foundation and UBS Brazil, creating a space to discuss how philanthropy can accelerate solutions with social and environmental impact.
For the Black Jaguar Foundation, being among the event’s main guests was an important opportunity to present the work being carried out in the Araguaia to UBS teams in Brazil, Europe and the United States, while also strengthening connections with clients and philanthropic advisors interested in supporting impact initiatives.
The opening of the UBS Optimus Foundation’s office in Brazil also represents an important step forward for the future of our partnership. From now on, UBS clients in Brazil can support the Black Jaguar Foundation directly in Brazilian reais, making the donation process simpler and creating new opportunities to connect philanthropic supporters with the restoration of the Araguaia Biodiversity Corridor.
