Commitment to Social Innovation
The company Maison F. J. Burrus & Cie was a pioneer in social progress:
Before 1897: Creation of an employer-sponsored relief fund.
From 1897: Introduction of a social clause granting employees up to 15% of profits, depending on sales performance.
From 1901: Low-interest loans to help employees build individual homes. This initiative was expanded after 1960 by Léon Burrus, enabling employees to become full homeowners.
1903: Transformation of the relief fund into a support fund for employees in cases of death or prolonged illness.
From 1916: Introduction of family allowances, long before they became standard in Switzerland.
From 1919: Health insurance for employees and their families.
1936: Creation of the company pension fund, primarily financed by the employer.
1939: Funding of a new primary school in Boncourt.
1961: Funding of maternity ward equipment; childbirth costs for company employees were significantly reduced.
1972: Contribution to the construction of a kindergarten
Commitment to Local Community Life
The Burrus family played an important role in Boncourt’s public life:
Municipal mandates : François Burrus (1909–1915), Henry Burrus (1915–1946), Léon Burrus (1946–1968). Henry Burrus also served as a National Councillor from 1939 to 1947.
1905: Funding and construction of the community hall, including a theatre above the village bridge.
1912–1913: Construction of the parish community centre with the support of Albert Burrus.
Support for local associations: brass band, shooting society, ornithology club, choir.
Sports: Founding of the Boncourt Sporting Association (Union Sportive Boncourt - USB); funding of the football stadium in 1968 by Léon Burrus.
1993: Funding of Boncourt’s swimming pool and creation of a care home (EMS) by the Gérard Burrus Foundation.
Commitment to Education and Training
From 1963: Creation of the Léon Burrus Scholarship for deserving students of the Collège Saint-Charles in Porrentruy.
1964–1975: Awarding of the Burrus Scholarship, providing annual financial support to young Swiss researchers across a wide range of scientific disciplines.
From 1972: Various contributions to Collège Saint-Charles, including funding of the sports centre and swimming pool by Léon Burrus.
1985: Creation of the first sheltered workshop integrated within FJ Burrus in collaboration with the Fondation Les Castors, allowing employees with disabilities to work within the company.
Introduction of bonuses to support the education and apprenticeships of employees’ children.
Humanitarian Commitment
During the Second World War, the Burrus family became known for its service to the community, especially by assisting refugee children from Belfort.
In 1944, the family organized the reception of 15,000 French children with the support of the Swiss Red Cross, to protect them from bombings—an exceptional humanitarian operation.
Each child was hosted for six months by Swiss families.
From Family Heritage to the Creation of Fondation Novandi
Remaining faithful to this moral legacy, Charles Burrus said in 2007:
“We must share. What we have received must be re-sown. The reward is far greater than the gift. A lot is expected of those who are given a lot. What you give returns to you many times over.”
Initially in a private capacity and later through the Fondation Novandi, Charles Burrus and his wife Bernadette carried forward these commitments by supporting numerous initiatives rooted in a tradition of social responsibility and patronage focused on education, culture, and collective wellbeing:
- Collège SaintCharles: Charles served as administrator and later president, with a focus on general education, critical thinking, and pastoral care.
- Fondation Guilé (2000–2017): Created in the former family residence to promote humanity in leadership and corporate social responsibility, based on the UN Global Compact principles.
- Scholarships for students.
- Support for religious institutions and homes for disadvantaged youth, including the “Les Fontenattes” home in Boncourt.
- Cultural contributions: Museum of Art and History in Delémont, Hôtel-Dieu Museum in Porrentruy, Fondation Gianadda in Martigny.
- Support for youth sports activities: Chevenez equestrian centre, USB football, BasketClub Boncourt (BCB), Jura Sports Office, Ajoie Cavalry Society.
Since 2011, by continuing the work initiated by their parents, Régis, Bénédicte, and Hardouin Burrus have carried forward the transmission of family values by supporting projects that positively impact young people.
