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Interlaken Foundation
The Interlaken Foundation Inc. was formed in 2001 in New York by Robert G. Wilmers. Wilmers built his fortune as chairman and chief executive of M&T Bank Corp...
Interlaken Foundation
The Interlaken Foundation Inc. was formed in 2001 in New York by Robert G. Wilmers. Wilmers built his fortune as chairman and chief executive of M&T Bank Corp until his death in 2017. His son Christopher Wilmers now leads the foundation as president. The foundation maintains a diversified asset base that includes direct real estate holdings across New York, Massachusetts, Switzerland and France, a corporate bond portfolio valued at approximately $35.6 million, and a controlling interest in Château Haut-Bailly in Bordeaux. It also holds a long equity position in M&T Bank Corp. valued at roughly $202.9 million. Grantmaking has included major commitments to the Wildlife Conservation Network and the Community Foundation of Santa Cruz County. The foundation employs M&T Bank as custodian and PricewaterhouseCoopers as auditor. Christopher Wilmers oversees operations alongside family members including Elisabeth Roche Wilmers. No material operational events have been recorded in the last 24 months. Governance remains within the Wilmers family through multiple parallel vehicles including the Roche Foundation, St. Simon Charitable Foundation and West Ferry Foundation.
General information
Firm type
Endowment / Foundation
Year founded
2001
Location
Region
North America
Country
United States
City
New York
Corporate office
C/O Resnick 230 Park Ave-3rd Fl W, New York, NY 10169, United States
Principals
Christopher Wilmers
President
Robert G. Wilmers
Founder
Sector focus
Frequently asked questions
Who runs investment decisions at Interlaken Foundation?
Christopher Wilmers serves as president and directs the foundation. Decisions flow through family governance structures established by founder Robert G. Wilmers.
Where does the underlying wealth come from?
The foundation was seeded with proceeds from Robert G. Wilmers' leadership of M&T Bank Corp. The family retains significant ownership in the bank through the foundation.
Does Interlaken Foundation participate in fund commitments or only direct deals?
The foundation holds direct real estate, art, operating businesses such as Château Haut-Bailly, and public equity in M&T Bank. No external fund commitments are disclosed.
What sectors does Interlaken Foundation explicitly avoid?
No explicit avoidance policy is stated. Activity centers on grantmaking in wildlife conservation, education and community support.
How is Interlaken Foundation related to other Wilmers vehicles?
It operates alongside the Roche Foundation, St. Simon Charitable Foundation and West Ferry Foundation, all managed within the same family structure.
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