# Wenn Leidenschaft Verantwortung Traegt Matto Barfuss Und Seine Stiftung Am Ascona Polo Cup **Source:** https://en.poloclubascona.ch/fr-ch/wenn-leidenschaft-verantwortung-traegt-matto-barfuss-und-seine-stiftung-am-ascona-polo-cup **Language:** English --- - Ascona Polo Cup - About & History - APC-TV & Photos - APC26 - APC Journal - News & Press - Contact & Team - Become a sponsor - Ascona Polo Cup - About & History - APC-TV & Photos - APC26 - APC Journal - News & Press - Contact & Team - Become a sponsor © 2026 Polo Club Ascona # When passion carries responsibility: Matto Barfuss and his foundation at the Ascona Polo Cup Admin - August 10, 2026 - 8:02 **Artist and filmmaker Matto Barfuss is committed to the protection of cheetahs and biodiversity through his non-profit foundation, the Matto Barfuss Stiftung, established in 2025. At the Ascona Polo Cup, this commitment meets a tournament where respect for animals and a charitable spirit are firmly anchored. The foundation collaborates with the Cheetah Conservation Fund, with a focus on Botswana.** There are guests you don't just greet: you look forward to seeing them. Matto Barfuss is one of those guests. The artist and filmmaker, whose heart has beaten for the cheetahs of Africa for decades, is one of those personalities who make the Ascona Polo Cup much more than just a sporting event. Because where horse and rider trust each other blindly at a full gallop, where respect for the animal is at the forefront, and where a charitable spirit is deeply anchored in the tournament's identity, a person like Matto Barfuss feels right at home. ### From association to foundation – an idea that is gaining momentum The non-profit Matto Barfuss Stiftung was established in 2025. It emerged from the association "Leben für Geparden e.V.", founded in 1998 by Matto Barfuss, which was committed to the conservation of wild cheetahs for many years. What began with a love for a single fascinating species has matured into a much broader realization: a species only survives if the entire biological diversity is protected and preserved on a global scale. This conviction led to the creation of the foundation – more broadly structured, with a more extensive vision and the courage to plan for the long-term future. The cheetah remains the iconic animal, the species that must be protected in particular. But today, our gaze extends further, because our planet is facing the greatest extinction of species it has ever known. Preserving isolated species is not enough. The foundation, which replaces the association, intervenes precisely at this level – more effectively, more sustainably, and with a focus on the future. ### What drives the foundation The La Matto Barfuss Foundation supports cheetah conservation in direct cooperation with the renowned Cheetah Conservation Fund. It supports educational measures aimed at mitigating human-wildlife conflict and pursues the goal of acquiring land in Africa in the future, in the spirit of "Biodiversity Credits," in order to expand and connect protected areas. Special attention is paid to the bridge between Europe and Africa, with a focus on Botswana – because species conservation is a global concern that can only succeed if we act together. Today, there are fewer than 7,000 cheetahs living in the wild worldwide. Education is also a central concern of the foundation: it brings schools from Europe and Botswana together and helps children understand how to interact with wild animals and to perceive species conservation as a global issue. ### Emotion moves things – the parallel to polo And this is precisely where the perhaps most beautiful parallel to polo manifests itself: it is emotion and enthusiasm that move people. Matto Barfuss knows this better than anyone. Through the power of his art, his films, and his presentations, he makes highly complex connections visible and tangible – on a factual basis and yet deeply touching. This is why the foundation also consciously promotes creativity in art and film: because knowledge only unfolds its effects when it reaches the heart. > “With commitment, motivation, and respect, we can meet the challenge of living in a species-rich and diverse world.” ### Moving things forward together At Lake Maggiore, people meet who do not just know about responsibility, but live it. They celebrate sport, style, and encounters – all while giving something back. The Matto Barfuss Stiftung invites you to be part of this movement and to help promote, preserve, and expand biodiversity. As a non-profit foundation under German law, it issues tax receipts for donations; according to German tax law, donations are tax-deductible. > “Let's make a difference together.” – The members of the foundation board **Matto Barfuss Foundation** · matto-barfuss-stiftung.de --- ## Frequently Asked Questions ### Who is Matto Barfuss? Matto Barfuss is an artist and filmmaker who has been committed to African cheetahs for decades. With his foundation, he is dedicated to the protection of biodiversity and is a guest at the Ascona Polo Cup. ### What is the Matto Barfuss Stiftung? A non-profit foundation established in 2025, originating from the association "Leben für Geparden e.V." founded in 1998. It is committed to the protection of cheetahs and the preservation of global biodiversity. ### What is the foundation committed to? To the protection of cheetahs as a flagship species and to biodiversity as a whole. This includes educational measures, connecting schools in Europe and Botswana, as well as the long-term goal of expanding and connecting protected areas in Africa via "Biodiversity Credits". ### Who does the foundation cooperate with? The Matto Barfuss Stiftung supports cheetah conservation in direct cooperation with the renowned Cheetah Conservation Fund, with a particular focus on Botswana. ### How can one support the foundation? By making a donation to the charitable foundation. As a foundation under German law, it issues donation receipts; according to German tax law, donations are tax-deductible. We are also looking for committed individuals, for example for educational projects in municipalities and schools. ## From cheetah conservation to biodiversity – how a passion became a movement Previous article Next article © 2026 Polo Club Ascona. Created with ❤ using WordPress and Kubio imunify-bot-check