How much money does the Beloved Foundation have?

The Beloved Foundation has 24 million Swiss francs. Of these, 10 million come from the Canton of Valais, while the rest comes from authorities in the canton of Vodese, the municipality of Crans-Montana and private donors. The foundation is looking for new donors to increase reserves for civil and criminal proceedings.

What does the Beloved Foundation fund cover?

The fund finances rehabilitation interventions of a psychological nature, support for the continuation of schooling (in particular for young people) and direct financial aid to families in difficulty. The payments aim to support the victims throughout the entire healing process, which the foundation plans to be long and require continuous accompaniment.

Who runs the Beloved Foundation?

The foundation is chaired by Doris Leuthard, former Federal Councillor. Leuthard said the foundation's priorities include reintegrating young people into work or school, and providing lasting support during psychological and rehabilitative therapies.

How many requests for help has the foundation received so far?

The Beloved Foundation has received about 70 requests for help from the fire of the 'Le Constellation' in Crans-Montana. The foundation has established precise rules to ensure equal treatment between beneficiaries, recognising that although the cases are different, the fundamental needs are similar.

Beloved Foundation: first payments for victims (cross-border guide)

Di Redazione Frontaliere Ticino · Published on 7 September 2026

Swiss institutional building representing the Beloved Foundation's work supporting disaster victims

Beloved Foundation begins payments: CHF 24 million for victims of the Crans-Montana fire. Priority: reintegration into work and long-term psychological support.

Context

In brief

Beloved Foundation begins disbursements: 24 million CHF for victims
Priority: Work reintegration and long-term psychological support
Doris Leuthard (former federal councillor) leads the foundation

Key facts

What: Beloved Foundation provides aid to victims of the 'Le Constellation' fire in Crans-Montana
When: First disbursements in September 2026 (foundation established end of March 2026)
Where: Crans-Montana (Valais), cantons of Valais and Vaud
Who: Doris Leuthard (president), Beloved Foundation
Amount: 24 million CHF (10 million from Canton Valais, Vaud authorities, municipality, private donors)
Requests received: Approximately 70 aid requests
Fire victims: 41 deceased, 115 injured

The first disbursements from the Beloved Foundation have begun to reach the victims of the New Year's Eve fire at the 'Le Constellation' venue in Crans-Montana and their families. The tragedy resulted in 41 deaths and 115 injuries. The foundation, established at the end of March, is managed by former federal councillor Doris Leuthard.

The fund has 24 million Swiss francs. Canton Valais contributed 10 million, with additional contributions from the canton of Vaud authorities, the municipality of Crans-Montana, and private donors. So far, the foundation has received approximately 70 aid requests.

Covered interventions and priorities

The disbursements from the Beloved Foundation finance various types of interventions: psychological rehabilitation therapies, support for continuing education for younger victims, and direct financial aid to families in difficult situations.

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Operational details

How is fairness ensured in payments

A critical aspect of the management of the Beloved Foundation is the commitment to ensuring equal treatment among victims. Leuthard explained that 'the cases are different from each other but the needs are similar.' This principle guides the foundation in defining precise rules for the payment of support, avoiding disparities among beneficiaries.

The foundation has implemented standardized criteria. Despite the variety of personal situations — some applicants have predominant psychological needs, others require school support or financial aid — the basic needs remain comparable. This allows the foundation to provide consistent and proportionate support.

The role of leadership and managerial optimism

The choice to entrust the presidency to Doris Leuthard, a figure with federal experience and national credibility, confers authority to the foundation's work. Leuthard acknowledged that 'this task can be burdensome,' but added that 'at the moment our team is active and optimistic.'

This statement suggests a constructive vision regarding the challenges of coordination and distribution of funds. The foundation has had to manage considerable administrative and human complexity: seventy requests for help analyzed, eligibility criteria defined, procedural forms, coordination between cantonal authorities (Valais, Vaud), the municipality, and the private sector.

Public-private funding structure

The funding structure of the Beloved Foundation reflects a mixed public-private model. The Canton of Valais provided approximately 42 percent of the available 24 million (10 million). The rest comes from neighboring cantonal authorities (Vaud), local administration (municipality of Crans-Montana), and private donors.

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Key points

How the Foundation Supports the Healing Journey

The foundation operates with a long-term approach. Leuthard specified that the support is not one-time but extended over time: victims will receive accompaniment throughout their therapeutic journey. This means that the payments do not exhaust the foundation's response but constitute the first step of a lasting commitment.

The initial payments already cover several areas — psychological therapies, school support, financial aid — but their distribution is consistent with the timeline of needs. Younger victims, for example, will receive priority in school reintegration; those with acute psychological needs will be supported during outpatient or hospital therapies.

Forecast of Resources for Legal Disputes

A strategic element that the foundation has already integrated into its planning is the need for reserves for civil and criminal procedures that will emerge in the coming months and years. Leuthard indicated that the foundation must have sufficient liquidity "for when the time comes" to face such proceedings.

This means that the fund is not entirely dedicated to immediate aid, but a significant portion remains tied as a guarantee. For this reason, the foundation is actively seeking new private and public donors to expand the funding base without compromising the already established reserves.

Continuous Support and Future Prospects

Leuthard's statement — that the foundation's team is "active and optimistic" — signals the intention to maintain stable operations in the coming months. The 70 requests already accepted represent the first core of beneficiaries, but the foundation remains open to further requests and new needs that may arise.

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Frequently Asked Questions

How much money does the Beloved Foundation have?: The Beloved Foundation has 24 million Swiss francs. Of these, 10 million come from the Canton of Valais, while the rest comes from authorities in the canton of Vodese, the municipality of Crans-Montana and private donors. The foundation is looking for new donors to increase reserves for civil and criminal proceedings.
What does the Beloved Foundation fund cover?: The fund finances rehabilitation interventions of a psychological nature, support for the continuation of schooling (in particular for young people) and direct financial aid to families in difficulty. The payments aim to support the victims throughout the entire healing process, which the foundation plans to be long and require continuous accompaniment.
Who runs the Beloved Foundation?: The foundation is chaired by Doris Leuthard, former Federal Councillor. Leuthard said the foundation's priorities include reintegrating young people into work or school, and providing lasting support during psychological and rehabilitative therapies.
How many requests for help has the foundation received so far?: The Beloved Foundation has received about 70 requests for help from the fire of the 'Le Constellation' in Crans-Montana. The foundation has established precise rules to ensure equal treatment between beneficiaries, recognising that although the cases are different, the fundamental needs are similar.