Foundation Directory Switzerland - Always up to date
Last updated: 29.06.2021
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Foundations in Switzerland ≈ 13300 foundations
Around 13300 charitable foundations are domiciled in Switzerland. All foundations can be found at fundraiso.ch. Below is a constantly updated list of cantons for which more detailed information on the foundation landscape is available. You can also obtain daily updated foundation directories for each canton. There is a detailed page for each canton, to which links are provided. Further information on the entire directory of Swiss foundations can be found below the listed cantons.
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Foundations in the Canton of Zurich ≈ 2200 foundations
With around 2200 domiciled charitable foundations in 2020, the Canton of Zurich is the leader nationwide. Examples of large, well-known foundations in the Canton of Zurich, further key figures and information on how to obtain the Foundation Directory Zurich can be found on the topic page on foundations in Zurich.
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Foundations in the Canton of Berne ≈ 1380 foundations
With around 1350 foundations in the canton of Bern, the capital canton is in second or third place (the canton of Vaud sometimes has a few foundations more or less). Measured against cantons such as Basel-Stadt or Zurich, the foundation density is somewhat lower. Bern is an interesting location because the canton is home to many bilingual foundations. More information on Berne as a foundation location and on the Berne Foundation Directory can be found on the Berne Foundations topic page.
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Foundations in the canton of Vaud ≈ 1375 foundations
With around 1375 foundations in the canton of Vaud, the canton ranks third after Bern and Zurich (as of 2020). More information on Vaud as a foundation location and on the list of foundations in the canton of Vaud can be found on the Vaud Foundations topic page.
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Foundations in the Canton of Geneva ≈ 1275 foundations
With around 1275 domiciled charitable foundations in 2020, the Canton of Geneva is among the top five cantons nationwide. Examples of large, well-known foundations in the canton of Geneva, further key figures and information on how to obtain the Geneva Foundation Directory can be found on the topic page on foundations in Geneva.
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Foundations in the Canton of Basel-Stadt ≈ 900 foundations
In Switzerland as a whole, Basel has the highest number of charitable foundations - counted per capita. Basel thus has the highest density of foundations in the whole of Switzerland. Accordingly, Basel is also referred to as the foundation capital of Switzerland or even Europe. Further information on Basel as a foundation location and the Basel foundation directory can be found on the Basel foundations topic page.
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Foundations in Aargau ≈ 480 foundations
In the canton of Aargau, there are numerous funds, foundations and other charitable institutions that provide funding for a wide variety of purposes. These organisations tend to be active locally, regionally or cantonally - rarely nationally. This means that the majority of funding measures are implemented within the canton. The foundations in the canton of Aargau focus equally on individual funding and project funding. Further information and the possibility of obtaining the Aargau Foundation Directory can be found on the Aargau Foundationstopic page.
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Foundations in the Canton of St. Gallen ≈ 500 foundations
Many charitable foundations, funds, associations, etc. are based in Eastern Switzerland. Traditionally, these institutions are primarily active in eastern Switzerland and are very active in supporting individuals by awarding scholarships, providing emergency aid, etc. With over 500 charitable foundations, the Canton of St. Gallen is the most important foundation canton in Eastern Switzerland. There is also a close network with foundations in Liechtenstein. More information on St. Gallen as a philanthropy location and on the St. Gallen Foundation Directory can be found on the St. Gallen Foundations topic page.
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Foundations in Graubünden ≈ 510 foundations
Foundations in the canton of Graubünden focus in principle on problems of a local nature. As a mountain canton, this includes, for example, the topics of agriculture, land management and mountain farmers. The fourth national language spoken in the canton is also a topic for some of the local foundations. This involves the preservation, dissemination and cultivation of culture in the Rhaeto-Romanic language. Other topics that occupy the foundation landscape in the canton of Graubünden are historical buildings. You can find out more about foundations in Graubünden and the list of foundations in Graubünden on the topic page Foundations in Graubünden.
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Foundations in Thurgau ≈ 241 foundations
The canton of Thurgau has over 240 foundations. In addition, the canton is included in the purpose of many foundations in the surrounding cantons. In this way, the spectrum for possible sponsors expands into the other cantons of eastern Switzerland. In total, there are around 850 foundations in the four cantons. Foundations in Eastern Switzerland also have a tradition of supporting individuals. More about foundations in the canton of Thurgau and the directory of Thurgau foundations can be found on the topic page Foundations Thurgau.
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Foundations in the Canton of Lucerne ≈ 550 foundations
Lucerne is the most important foundation location in Central Switzerland. Traditionally, many foundations are active either cantonally or in Central Switzerland. A minority of foundations have a national or international focus. More information on Lucerne as a foundation location and on the Lucerne foundation directory can be found on the Lucerne foundations topic page.
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Foundations in the canton of Zug ≈ 360 foundations
With around 360 domiciled charitable foundations, the canton of Zug is considered a rather small foundation canton. However, if you consider that a few years ago there were 100 fewer foundations, you realise that growth is strong. Especially in the field of cryptocurrencies, which are based on blockchain technology, many foundations have been established in the canton of Zug. Among them is the Ethereum Foundation. Further information on Zug as a foundation location and on the Zug Foundation Directory can be found on the Zug Foundations topic page.
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Foundations in the Canton of Schwyz ≈ 210 foundations
With around 200 charitable foundations in Canton Schwyz, the canton tends to be one of the smaller foundation locations. The foundation density is around 13 foundations per thousand inhabitants. In comparison - Basel-Stadt has a foundation density of 45 - the top value in the country. However, as a component of the foundation landscape in central Switzerland, the foundations in Schwyz are important. Projects in Central Switzerland are gladly supported by foundations in the region. Further information on Schwyz as a foundation location and on the directory of Schwyz foundations can be found on the Schwyz foundations topic page.
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Foundations in Valais ≈ 600 foundations
Numerous non-profit organisations are domiciled in the canton of Valais. Traditionally, these institutions focus their activities on mountain regions as well as the other areas in the canton of Valais. The canton's bilingualism also makes the foundation landscape in Valais exciting, as many foundations are bilingual. More information on the Valais location and the list of foundations can be found on the topic page Foundations Valais.
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Foundations in the Canton of Solothurn ≈ 270 foundations
The density of foundations in the canton of Solothurn is among the lowest in the whole of Switzerland, with around 10 foundations per 1000 inhabitants. Accordingly, it is a smaller foundation canton. More information on Solothurn as a foundation location and on the directory of Solothurn foundations can be found on the topic page Foundations Solothurn.
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Foundations in Uri ≈ 50 foundations
In the canton of Uri, 50 charitable foundations were registered at the end of 2020. With around 14.0 charitable foundations per ten thousand inhabitants, the foundation density is in the middle of the national comparison - just behind the canton of Zurich. An important foundation in the canton of Uri is the Dätwyler Foundation.
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Foundations in the Canton of Nidwalden ≈ 86 foundations
In the canton of Nidwalden, 86 charitable foundations were registered at the end of 2020. With around 20 charitable foundations per ten thousand inhabitants, the foundation density is significantly higher than in other cantons.
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Foundations in the Canton of Obwalden ≈ 64 foundations
In the canton of Obwalden, 64 charitable foundations were registered at the end of 2020. With around 16.7 charitable foundations per ten thousand inhabitants, the foundation density is in the middle of the national comparison.
The foundation landscape in Switzerland per canton
Foundation directory Switzerland by fundraiso.ch
fundraiso.ch operates "online" a directory of foundations in Switzerland. The directory can be used freely. It is necessary to register in order to access the entire directory. There are no costs. The focus of the content is on fundraising. The goal is: everyone should find the foundation that is a potential funder for their project. An extended version of the platform includes foundations in Liechtenstein and Germany. The Foundation Directory Switzerland is constantly updated with interesting foundations from neighbouring countries. For basic users, these entries appear hidden. A premium membership also grants access to this data. Fundraising in the entire German-speaking region is possible. Currently, the Foundation Directory is mainly used by non-profit organisations, artists, educational institutes, persons in the field of disability support and persons in the field of social welfare.
Foundations struggle with the problem that they receive too many applications. This has to do with the internet. Directories like fundraiso lead to transparency in the foundation sector. At least as far as the existence of the actors is concerned. In the past, smaller foundations were not known at all. Those who wanted to remain undiscovered could do so effortlessly. We therefore appeal to every user to contact only those foundations that really come into question for a project. It is also advisable to find out how to submit an application. Unnecessary effort must be avoided for both sides.
How should we work with the Swiss Foundation Directory?
One should enter keywords in the search field, for example keywords such as "art", "culture", "social affairs" or "education". In this way, all foundations in a thematic area can be searched for. The Swiss Foundation Directory consists of around 13,300 (as of the end of 2020) non-profit foundations. In addition, all registered family foundations and ecclesiastical foundations can also be found. Further key figures on foundations in Switzerland can be found here. Thanks to the keyword search, this large number can be quickly limited to the relevant entries. Additional information on each foundation can be found, if available. The foundations are continuously divided into "funding" and "operating" foundations. If a foundation has a website, it is listed in the entry.
Difference to the Federal List of Foundations
In the list of foundations of the Confederation, the Federal List of Foundations, the foundations under federal supervision are listed. Foundations under the supervision of the cantons, the communes, the districts and the churches (ecclesiastical foundations) are missing. These are also listed on fundraiso.ch. Even dependent foundations and foundations under public law that are not even entered in the commercial register are listed on fundraiso.ch.
Distinction from other foundation directories
The differentiation from other Swiss foundation directories is that fundraiso.ch's Swiss Foundation Directory is available without restrictions. Moreover, fundraiso.ch's solution is a semi-automated web application. In addition to the data of the commercial register, other relevant data is added manually to provide a complete data experience. The foundation directory is operated openly. The entries of the individual foundations can be accessed via search engines. The data is public and is not "hidden" in a closed database. The operation of the Swiss Foundation Directory is financed by orders generated via the platform.
Foundations available as a list?
Various forms of lists are available. For example, daily updated foundation lists can be created for each canton. Other forms of lists on offer can be found here.
Is the use of the Swiss Foundation Directory free of charge?
The Foundation Directory Switzerland can be used freely within the basic membership. As the operator, we reserve the right to place advertisements and send advertising emails to registered users. The "commitment" of the individual user does not go beyond having to tolerate advertising.
What if there is no suitable foundation for your project in the list of foundations?
If you cannot find an entry in the foundation directory that fits your project, you should contact us. We can assess whether opportunities exist with foundations abroad. We can also check whether sponsors come into question for your project.
The following links provide information on the topic of the Swiss Foundation Directory:
- What is a foundation?
- Association of Swiss Grantmaking Foundations swissfoundations.ch
- Articles on the topic of foundations in Switzerland
- Scholarship directory Switzerland
How the Fundraiso-Map can help to find new foundations in Switzerland:
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Swiss Youth Publication (SJW)
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