From the private collection of the Bachmann family, reproduced with permission.
Leopold Bachmann (1933–2021) was an entrepreneur, a pioneer of affordable housing, and the founder of the Leopold Bachmann Foundation. Guided by a strong sense of social responsibility, he created affordable housing and supported education, innovation, entrepreneurship, and agroecology worldwide.
Founder
From the private collection of the Bachmann family, reproduced with permission.
Leopold Bachmann
22.02.1933 – 26.12.2021
Leopold Bachmann was a visionary entrepreneur, a pioneer of affordable housing, and a committed philanthropist. Born in 1933 in Tyrol, he moved to Switzerland at a young age, where he initially worked as an engineer before becoming self-employed as a property developer in 1963. With entrepreneurial courage, great efficiency, and a strong sense of social responsibility, he shaped the Swiss real estate landscape for decades.
Copyright: Mirjam Hokkanen – Leopold Bachmann Foundation
Leopold Bachmann became particularly well known for his consistent commitment to affordable housing. While many developments focused on high-end properties, he prioritized functional, high-quality, and affordable homes for families and people with lower incomes. His housing projects in Zurich, Winterthur, Uster, Olten, and other regions were considered pioneering and made him one of the most important private housing providers in Switzerland.
From the private collection of the Bachmann family, reproduced with permission.
In 1997, Leopold Bachmann founded the Leopold Bachmann Foundation and transferred part of his real estate assets into the foundation. His aim was to create future opportunities for people worldwide, particularly through access to vocational and higher education, the promotion of innovation and entrepreneurship, and support for agroecological development projects. To this day, the foundation finances its charitable work through the net income of its real estate portfolio, thereby continuing in the spirit of its founder.
From the private collection of the Bachmann family, reproduced with permission.
Leopold Bachmann never saw economic success as an end in itself. His actions were guided by a strong sense of responsibility, pragmatism, and a desire to contribute to society. Through his entrepreneurial work and philanthropic engagement, he left a lasting legacy that continues to have a sustainable impact in Switzerland and around the world, positively shaping the lives of millions of people.
The Foundation Board is the highest governing body of the Leopold Bachmann Foundation. It defines the strategic direction and makes fundamental decisions regarding the foundation’s development and activities.
The foundation team implements the strategic guidelines set by the Foundation Board. It is responsible for carrying out funding activities as well as for supporting partner organizations.
The Leopold Bachmann Foundation is a non-profit grant-making foundation established in 1997 by Leopold Bachmann. The founder’s wish to provide education and, with it, opportunities to as many people as possible remains the cornerstone of the Foundation’s work.