Ensuring a Future for the Culinary Heritage of the Alps
For sustainable enjoyment, healthy eating, and regional economic growth.
The CULINARIUM ALPINUM Foundation’s vision is to establish the culinary heritage of the Alps as a model for sustainable enjoyment and future-oriented value creation. We are not realizing this vision alone: cantons, municipalities, funding foundations, and private individuals are all helping. Your contributions keep the flagship operation in Stans alive, spread knowledge about the culinary traditions of the Alpine region, and foster the growth of a sustainable food culture in the Alps. Every contribution makes a difference—whether it’s a donation, a bequest, a grant, or a service contract.
Grant-Making Foundations
As a grant-making foundation, you will find in CULINARIUM ALPINUM a partner with a clear mission and measurable impact. With a donation, you enable our work across all areas of our foundation’s mission.
Projects & Service Agreement
Government agencies and grant-making foundations commission the CULINARIUM ALPINUM Foundation to provide consulting services, knowledge transfer, and project development, as well as project-related services.
Donations
With your donation, you make our work possible in all areas related to the foundation’s mission—from the Alp-Sbrinz cellar to the garden plot in the Edible Landscape.
Bequests
By making a bequest, you can help preserve the culinary heritage of the Alps for generations to come.
Founding Partners and Patrons
Meet the sponsors who made the founding and development of CULINARIUM ALPINUM possible.
Grant-Making Foundations
As a funding foundation, you will find a partner in CULINARIUM ALPINUM with a clear mission and measurable impact.
The CULINARIUM ALPINUM Foundation develops projects aligned with the funding objectives of numerous foundations: sustainable food systems, biodiversity and cultural landscapes, preservation of the Alpine culinary heritage, education and knowledge transfer, and regional value creation in mountain areas. Current priorities for which we are specifically seeking funding partners include, among others, the development of an Alpine Health Diet modeled after the Planetary Health Diet, the UNESCO nomination for “Alpine Culinary Heritage,” and the international forum Alp’26.
What We Offer
- Clearly defined, results-oriented projects with measurable impact
- Transparent reporting and annually audited financial statements
- An established network spanning agriculture, the restaurant industry, academia, and tourism
- Visibility for your involvement, if desired
Developing a Project Together
We are happy to develop customized projects, position papers, or pitch materials for grant-making foundations that align with your funding guidelines. Feel free to contact us with no obligation—we’ll show you where your funding can have the greatest impact.
Projects &
Service Agreements
Government agencies and grant-making foundations commission the CULINARIUM ALPINUM Foundation to provide consulting services, share knowledge, and develop projects.
As a center of excellence for Alpine regional cuisine, the CULINARIUM ALPINUM Foundation also undertakes specific service contracts on behalf of government agencies, administrative offices, and funding foundations. One example is the consulting work carried out as part of the Nidwalden cantonal PRE project on behalf of the Nidwalden Office of Agriculture, which fosters productive collaboration between agriculture, the restaurant industry, and tourism. Such mandates supplement the foundation’s grant funding while simultaneously creating direct added value for the clients.
Our Expertise for Your Case
- Consulting on the Development of Sustainable, Regional Food Systems
- Knowledge dissemination, courses, and educational programs for professionals and the general public
- Networking Among Agriculture, the Restaurant Industry, the Hotel Industry, and Tourism
- Planning and execution of specialized events, e.g., Alp'26
- Project development and management, including reporting
Request for a Retainer
Whether it’s a cantonal service mandate, a federal mandate, or a project announced by a grant-making foundation: We’d be happy to explore, with no obligation, how the CULINARIUM ALPINUM Foundation can support your project with its expertise.
Donations
With a donation, you can play a direct role in shaping the future of regional Alpine cuisine.
Donations and contributions form a central pillar of the CULINARIUM ALPINUM Foundation. Whether as a one-time contribution or a multi-year commitment, your donation can be used for general purposes or directed toward a specific project—such as the preservation and expansion of the model farm at the former Capuchin monastery in Stans, the “Edible Landscape” initiative, the Alp-Sbrinz cellar, or educational programs on regional Alpine cuisine. As a nonprofit, tax-exempt foundation based in the canton of Nidwalden, the CULINARIUM ALPINUM Foundation can certify donations as tax-deductible within the framework of legal provisions.
How Your Donation Makes a Difference
- It reinforces Stans' status as a premier destination—a vibrant hub of culinary delights, experiences, and expertise.
- It preserves the Edible Landscape with over 250 edible plants.
- It facilitates the dissemination of knowledge and provides educational opportunities for experts and the general public.
- It helps preserve the culinary heritage of the Alps, such as the endangered Alp Sbrinz AOP.
- It enables new, impactful projects that we develop together with you.
Personal Contact
We are happy to discuss donations in a personal meeting—covering how the funds will be used, any specific designations, or the level of visibility you’d like for your contribution. Tis Prager, Chair of the Foundation Board, or Andres Lietha, Executive Director, would be happy to meet with you for a confidential discussion.
Bequests
By making a bequest, you can help preserve the culinary heritage of the Alps long after you are gone.
A bequest or testamentary gift is one of the most effective forms of support: it enables the CULINARIUM ALPINUM Foundation to plan for the long term and consistently pursue its vision of a food culture in the Alpine region that is fit for our grandchildren. As a nonprofit, tax-exempt foundation, a testamentary gift benefits the cause in its entirety, without any tax deductions.
When drafting a will or an inheritance agreement, we recommend consulting a notary or a specialized professional. We would be happy to meet with you in advance for a discreet, no-obligation discussion about the options available and the specific effects of your bequest.
Support to Date
Founding Partner
- Martin Angehrn, Engelburg (SG)
- Clemens Rüttimann, CEO of Biotta AG, Tägerwilen (TG)
- Dominik Flammer, Author and Project Manager, Zurich
- Peter Häfeli, CEO of Intercheese AG, Beromünster (LU)
- Curdin Janett, former CEO of Publicis AG and owner of Fromage Mauerhofer AG, Burgdorf (BE)
- Bettina and Richard Plattner-Gerber, hoteliers, Pontresina (GR)
- Tis Prager, Attorney, Zumikon (ZH)
- Hans Preisig, Retailer, Richterswil (ZH)
- Beatrice and Willi Schmid-Walliser, cheesemakers, Lichtensteig (SG)
- Heini Schwarzenbach, grocer and coffee roaster, Zollikon (ZH)
Initialization Partner
- Canton of Nidwalden
- Canton of Lucerne
- Canton of Schwyz
- Canton of Obwalden
- Canton of Uri
- Swiss Confederation (NRP, Innotour)
- AVINA Foundation, Zurich
- Urs and Sandra Durrer, Küssnacht am Rigi
- Arethusa Nymph Foundation, Vaduz
- Emil Frey AG, Zurich
- Mobiliar Anniversary Foundation, Bern
- Foundation for the Preservation and Promotion of the Economy of the Nidwalden and Engelberg Region, Stans
- Walter and Bertha Gerber Foundation, Bern
- Franke Foundation, Aarburg
- Albert Koechlin Foundation, Lucerne
- Foundation for Sustainable Nutrition through Swiss Agriculture, Brugg
- MIWE Bäckereitechnik AG, Arnegg
- V-ZUG AG, Zug
- STRASSER Steine GmbH, St. Martin im Mühlkreis, Austria
- Daniel Niederberger, Architektur GmbH, Stans
- Elektro Wild + Barmettler AG, Oberdorf, NW
- Fretz Küchen AG, Kriens
- Monika Würsch Flower Shop, Stans
- Seiler Käserei AG, Giswil
- Achermann AG, Plumbing, Heating, and Solar, Oberdorf, NW
- LIGNO in Raum AG, Emmen
- Opacc Software AG, Rothenburg
- Rahn and Bodmer Bank, Zurich
- Thyll Foundation, Hergiswil, NW
- Portmann + Meier AG, Lucerne
- Senn Resources AG, St. Gallen
- Markus Enz AG, Giswil
- Haupt AG, Timber Construction and Window Manufacturing, Ruswil
- Jutta Prager, Mettmenstetten
- Gaudenz and Doy Young Domenig-Jeung, Herrliberg
- Beat and Regula Curti, Erlenbach
- Sibylle Maurer Stirnemann, Lucerne
- Margret Piontek, Zumikon
- Sophie and Karl Binding Foundation, Basel
- Manuel Sonderer, Wetzikon
- Martin Hubatka, Horw
- Norbert Rohrer, Stansstad
- Ernst Göhner Foundation, Zug
- Sarah Odermatt, Stans
- Gina Aeschbacher, Bern
- Isabelle Messerli, Zurich
- Melanie Kordina, Schlossrued
- Thymos AG, Bern
- Scarlett Dubois, Wilen
- Barbara Vujasinovic, Ennetbürgen
"Our diet of the future should be enjoyable, healthy, safe, and sustainable. Within the context of the Alpine culinary heritage, CULINARIUM ALPINUM provides knowledge-based and transformative skills with a clear focus on practical application."