Catalytic Finance Foundation operates under a two-tier governance structure designed to ensure independent oversight and sound management.

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Foundation-level governance, audited by the Swiss cantonal authorities, comprises:

• Foundation Council — provides overall direction, including strategic approval, approval of the operating budget and accounts, senior appointments (CEO, Auditor), and management of strategic risk.

• Secretariat — responsible for overall management, including formulating and executing strategy, delivering programmes and initiatives, day-to-day operations, and fundraising.

• Auditor — provides independent financial oversight.

 

Independent governance at initiative level, tailored to each investment vehicle or programme, typically includes:

• A Steering Committee (typically composed of donors), which provides strategic oversight, approves annual budgets, workplans, and policies (including investment policies), and reviews annual performance and impact reports.

• An Investment Committee (typically independent experts), which reviews and approves or declines investments, provides strategic guidance on investment approach and pipeline development, reviews annual portfolio performance, and approves investment exits.

 

This structure separates strategic foundation-level oversight from operational, initiative-specific decision-making, ensuring each programme benefits from governance appropriate to its scale, donor base, and investment mandate.