[1] Pro Patria was founded in 1909 as the Verein Schweizerische Bundesfeier-Spende (Swiss Federal Celebration Donation Association)[1] by a group of public-spirited citizens led by the merchant Albert Schuster.
[5] Until long after World War II, most of Pro Patria's donation campaigns were aimed at supporting disadvantaged groups and minorities.
Destitute mothers (1926, 1939, 1945, 1951, 1958, 1966, 1974, 1980 and 1985) and Swiss women's associations (1956, 1970, 1979, 1989 und 1995) were also frequently the beneficiaries of collection campaigns.
[1] Pro Patria collects donations principally through the sale of postage stamps, postcards and badges, in cooperation with the Swiss Post.
[1] Since 1923, Pro Patria has also produced an annual Federal Celebration Badge (Bundesfeierabzeichen, 1.-August-Abzeichen), which is sold in post offices and by volunteers.