The artist and filmmaker Matto Barfuss is committed to the protection of cheetahs and biodiversity through his non-profit Matto Barfuss Foundation, established in 2025. At 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 cooperates with the Cheetah Conservation Fund, with a focus on Botswana.
There are guests you don't just welcome – you look forward to seeing them. Matto Barfuss is one such guest. 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. 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 identity, a person like Matto Barfuss is at home.
From association to foundation – an idea grows
The non-profit Matto Barfuss Foundation was established in 2025. It emerged from the association "Leben für Geparden e.V." (Living for Cheetahs), founded by Matto Barfuss in 1998, which worked for many years to preserve wild cheetahs. What began with the love for a single, fascinating species has matured into a much greater realization: a species only survives if the entire breadth of global biodiversity is protected and preserved. The foundation was born from this insight – broader in scope, more forward-thinking, and with the courage to plan for the long-term future.
The cheetah remains the flagship species, the one that requires special protection. However, our focus now extends beyond it, as our planet is facing the greatest loss of species 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 moves the foundation
The Matto Barfuss Foundation promotes cheetah conservation in direct cooperation with the renowned Cheetah Conservation Fund. It supports educational measures that mitigate human-animal conflicts 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. A special focus is placed on the bridge between Europe and Africa, with an emphasis on Botswana – because species conservation is a global concern that can only succeed together.
Today, there are fewer than 7,000 cheetahs living in the wild worldwide. A central concern 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 grasp species conservation as a global issue.
Emotion moves – the parallel to polo
And this is precisely where perhaps the most beautiful parallel to polo emerges: it is emotion and enthusiasm that set people in motion. Matto Barfuss knows this like few others. 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 unfolds its impact when it reaches the heart.
«With commitment, motivation, and respect, we can master the challenge of living in a species-rich and diverse world.»
Making a difference together
At Lake Maggiore, people meet who not only know responsibility but live it. They celebrate sport, style, and connection – and at the same time, they give something back. The Matto Barfuss Foundation invites you to become part of this movement and contribute to promoting, preserving, and expanding biodiversity.
As a non-profit foundation under German law, it issues donation receipts; under German tax law, donations are tax-deductible.
“Let us make a difference together.” – The Board 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 is dedicated to the protection of biodiversity and is a guest at the Ascona Polo Cup.
What is the Matto Barfuss Foundation?
A non-profit foundation established in 2025, which emerged from the association 'Leben für Geparden e.V.' founded in 1998. It is committed to cheetah conservation 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, 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 cooperate with?
The Matto Barfuss Stiftung promotes cheetah conservation 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 non-profit foundation. As a foundation under German law, it issues donation receipts; under German tax law, donations are tax-deductible. We are also looking for committed supporters, for example for educational projects in municipalities and schools.