Chetcuti Cauchi's legal work on foundations has culminated in the firm's setting up of the second foundation to be registered as a legal person under the new Malta Law on Foundations.

Claris Foundation (VO 0157/LPF02) was registered in last quarter of 2008 with the objects of identifying, understanding and raising awareness about vulnerable persons in Malta and abroad, developing and implementing programmes in support of the health and well-being of children, developing and implementing programmes in support of the education of children worldwide and raising funds for the financing of projects undertaken in fulfilment for the objects outlined above.

Claris’ key differentiating factor is the credibility it lends to investors putting capital to work for philanthropic causes. As the name suggests, Claris’ philosophy is based on providing high levels of transparency and accountability in the application of publicly raised funds, a principle conveyed in the White Paper “Strengthening the Voluntary Sector”, which led to the publication of a Voluntary Organisations Act 2007. Claris Foundation is registered as a voluntary organisation under which it is able to collect funds from the public and was the second foundation to be enrolled as a legal person under the new provisions under the Civil Code.

The foundation has already used its initial funds in a humanitarian project in Albania consisting in the re-construction of a family home for a destitute family.

At this stage, the foundation’s board of administration is working on a number of charitable projects for its funds. Persons wishing to invest in a charity that redefines transparency and accountability, should contact the coordinator Corinne Gatt on info@clarisfoundation.org or visit the foundation’s website at www.clarisfoundation.org.