How the fund worksWhy the money waits in Switzerland
Cuba Día Uno does not send aid today. It raises and holds money in Switzerland for concrete projects, and releases it only on the day Cuba is free. Here we explain why, who decides when that day has come, what happens next, and which safeguards protect every franc.
Why the money waits
Those who give to Cuba Día Uno give for a free Cuba. That is why the money is only used once the conditions are met, with no exceptions:
It is the rule of the fund
The conditions are written into the association's articles. They are our commitment to every donor and cannot be bypassed.
That is how aid truly reaches people
Only with free elections, a free press and respect for human rights can independent organisations work freely and every project be verified down to the last franc.
Ready from day one
When the conditions are met, the needs will be huge and immediate: ambulances, water, schools, energy. A fund already raised, with projects already defined, makes it possible to act at once instead of starting from scratch.
All the conditions, not some
A partial change is not enough. The money stays held until all the conditions are met together.
Why Switzerland
We chose Switzerland because it offers the strongest legal and financial safeguards for a fund that must stay intact, possibly for many years.
An association with a binding purpose
Cuba Día Uno is a non-profit association under Swiss law (art. 60 et seq. of the Civil Code). Its articles set the purpose and the conditions of use: changing them requires a two-thirds majority of the General Assembly, and changes never affect donations already made.
Donors can enforce how their money is used
Each donation is a gift subject to a condition and a charge under art. 245 and 246 of the Code of Obligations: the money goes to the chosen project, only on the agreed conditions, and the donor has a legal right to demand compliance.
Swiss banks and prudent investment
The articles require funds to be held in banks based in Switzerland and invested only in low-risk forms. Any returns are added to the project they came from.
Stability, neutrality and independence
Switzerland offers political and monetary stability and a predictable legal system. The association is politically and religiously neutral and depends on no government or party.
Day One: the five conditions
The money stays held and is not used until all five conditions are met in Cuba. Part of them is not enough.
- 1Free elections
- 2A multi-party system
- 3Release of political prisoners
- 4Freedom of expression and of the press
- 5Full respect for human rights
Who decides
The association's General Assembly, by a two-thirds majority of members present. No single person can decide alone.
On what basis
Reports from independent international organisations: international election observers and bodies for human rights and press freedom.
In public
The decision, its reasons and the reports it relies on are published on this site and sent to every donor.
One single exception: a humanitarian disaster
Before Day One, and only in the event of a humanitarian disaster in Cuba (a natural disaster, epidemic or famine), the General Assembly may decide by two thirds to release part of the general fund to help the population directly, if all of these conditions are met:
- At most 25% of the general fund's available balance
- Never money a donor gave to a specific project
- Only through independent organisations with a proven record of getting aid to the population
- With the express authorisation of the U.S. government
- Nothing to the Cuban government or entities it controls
- Decision, amount, organisation and report published on this site
From the first franc to Day One
Today
Raising and holding
Each donation is recorded separately for the chosen project (or the general fund). The site shows, in real time, the exact amount and number of people for every project.
Every year
Accounts and audit
An independent auditor checks the accounts. The annual accounts and audit report are published here.
Day One
Conditions confirmed
The General Assembly confirms, by two thirds and based on independent reports, that all five conditions are met. The decision is made public.
Afterwards
Concrete, verified projects
The money funds concrete projects, carried out directly or through independent organisations, with verification of delivery. Medicines, equipment and vehicles are bought at that moment so they are current. The money is never handed to a government or a party.
If it hasn't happened in 10 years
Humanitarian aid
If the conditions are not met within 10 years of the association's founding, the General Assembly may decide, by two thirds, to use the funds for humanitarian aid to the Cuban people through independent, tax-exempt organisations.
Safeguards for donors
These rules are written into the articles and the donation terms. They are not promises; they are obligations.
Two signatures
No payment can leave without the joint signature of two committee members.
Unpaid committee
Committee members work for free; they are only reimbursed for actual, documented expenses.
At least 95% to the projects
At most 5% of each donation covers running costs (payment and bank fees, server, audit, legal advice). Whatever is not used goes back to the projects every year. Money already allocated to a project never pays for costs.
Each project has its own account
Donations are recorded per project and never mixed. The exact total for each project is public.
Never to governments or parties
Under no circumstances is money handed to a government or political party, or shared among the association's members.
Independent audit, public accounts
Every year an independent auditor checks the accounts, which are published together with the audit report.
Clean money
The association refuses donations of unlawful origin or from people on Swiss, UN, EU or U.S. sanctions lists.
Even if dissolved
If the association were dissolved, its assets would pass to a tax-exempt Swiss institution with the same or a similar purpose. Never to its members.
Frequently asked questions
Can I get my donation back if I change my mind?
No: donations are final because they immediately become part of the bound fund. Mistakes are the exception (a duplicate charge, a wrong amount or an unauthorised payment): write to info@diaunocuba.org within 30 days and we will refund the full amount.
What if something changes in Cuba, but not everything?
The fund stays held. There are five conditions and all must be met. A partial reform is not enough.
What if there is a disaster in Cuba before Day One?
Only in a humanitarian disaster, the General Assembly may release, by two thirds, up to 25% of the general fund through organisations that have already delivered aid successfully, with the express authorisation of the U.S. government. Money given to projects is never touched.
What about the U.S. embargo on Cuba?
Switzerland does not apply the U.S. embargo, but Swiss banks avoid any risk. That is why the articles require the money to be held in Swiss francs at Swiss banks, and not a single franc goes to Cuba while the transaction is prohibited by sanctions or could expose the banks to U.S. sanctions, unless expressly authorised. Before each use a lawyer checks that it is lawful; if it is not yet, the money waits. Once the five conditions are met, U.S. law provides for the embargo to end.
Will the money lose value over the years?
It is held in Swiss francs, one of the most stable currencies, and may only be invested in low-risk forms. Any returns go to the project they came from. Purchases are made only at the time of use.
What if the project I chose is no longer needed?
If a project is no longer necessary or feasible (for example because others have covered it), the General Assembly may, by two thirds, move its funds to the most similar project or the general fund. The decision and its reasons are published.
Why should I trust you?
Because you don't have to take our word for it: the rules are binding under the articles, Swiss law gives you the right to enforce them, the totals per project are public, and the accounts are checked by an independent auditor and published.
Is my donation tax-deductible?
Only once the tax authority recognises the association as exempt for public-benefit purposes. Until then we cannot guarantee it. We will publish the decision here.
Who are you?
An association based in the canton of Ticino, founded by Loredana Ponti (president) and Leslie Pelaez. All legal details are on the “Legal notice” page.
Day One is prepared today
Choose a concrete project. Your money will stay in Switzerland, recorded to that project, until the day it can truly arrive.
Sources
The rules of the fund are taken from the association's articles and donation terms.