The artist and filmmaker Matto Barfuss is committed to the protection of cheetahs and biodiversity through his non-profit Matto Barfuss Stiftung, founded in 2025. During the Ascona Polo Cup, this commitment meets a tournament in which respect for the animal and the spirit of charity are firmly anchored. The foundation works in collaboration with the Cheetah Conservation Fund, with a focus on Botswana.
There are guests you don't just greet – you look forward to their arrival. Matto Barfuss is one such guest. The artist and filmmaker, whose heart has been beating faster 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. For where horse and rider trust each other unconditionally at full gallop, where respect for the animal comes first, and the spirit of charity is deeply anchored in the tournament's self-image, that is where a person like Matto Barfuss feels at home.
From association to foundation – an idea grows bigger
The non-profit Matto Barfuss Stiftung was founded in 2025. It emerged from the association «Leben für Geparden e.V.», which was established by Matto Barfuss in 1998 and dedicated many years to the conservation of wild cheetahs. What began with the love for a single, fascinating species has grown into a much broader insight: a species only survives if the full breadth of global biodiversity is protected and preserved. This insight led to the creation of the foundation – broader in scope, more progressive, and with the courage to plan for the long-term future.
The cheetah remains the figurehead, the species that must be protected in particular. But today, the view extends further than that, because our planet is facing the greatest loss of biodiversity it has ever experienced. Preserving individual species in isolation is insufficient. The foundation, which replaces the association, addresses exactly this – more effectively, more sustainably, and with a focus on the future.
What drives the foundation
The Matto Barfuss Stiftung promotes the protection of cheetahs in direct cooperation with the renowned Cheetah Conservation Fund. It supports educational measures that reduce human-wildlife conflict and strives to acquire land in Africa in the future, in the spirit of 'Biodiversity Credits', to expand and connect protected areas. A special focus is placed on the bridge between Europe and Africa, with an emphasis on Botswana – because nature conservation is a global issue that can only succeed together.
Worldwide, there are fewer than 7,000 cheetahs living in the wild today. A central goal of the foundation is also education: it brings schools from Europe and Botswana together and helps children understand how to interact with wild animals and to see nature conservation as a global issue.
Emotion moves – the parallel with polo
And it is precisely here that perhaps the most beautiful parallel with polo is revealed: it is emotion and enthusiasm that move people. Matto Barfuss knows this like no other. With the power of his art, his films, and his presentations, he makes highly complex connections visible and tangible – factually grounded and at the same time deeply moving. That is why the foundation consciously promotes creativity in art and film: because knowledge only has an effect when it reaches the heart.
«With commitment, motivation, and respect, we can take on the challenge of living in a species-rich and diverse world.»
Moving things forward together
At Lake Maggiore, people meet who not only know responsibility but also live up to it. They celebrate sport, style, and connection – and at the same time, they give something back. The Matto Barfuss Stiftung invites you to be part of this movement and contribute to promoting, preserving, and expanding biodiversity.
As a non-profit foundation under German law, it provides donation receipts; according to German tax law, donations are tax-deductible.
«Let's set something in motion together.» – The board members of the foundation
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 the cheetahs of Africa for decades. With his foundation, he works to protect biodiversity and is a guest at the Ascona Polo Cup.
What is the Matto Barfuss Stiftung?
A non-profit foundation, established in 2025, which emerged from the association «Leben für Geparden e.V.» founded in 1998. It is dedicated to the protection of cheetahs and the preservation of global biodiversity.
What does the foundation stand for?
For the protection of the cheetah as a flagship species and for biodiversity in general. This includes educational measures, bringing together schools from Europe and Botswana, and the long-term goal of expanding and connecting protected areas in Africa through «Biodiversity Credits».
Who does the foundation work with?
The Matto Barfuss Stiftung promotes the protection of cheetahs in direct cooperation with the renowned Cheetah Conservation Fund, with a focus on Botswana.
How can one support the foundation?
Through a donation to the foundation as a non-profit organization. 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 supporters, for example for educational projects in municipalities and schools.