Foundations in Basel-Stadt
The Canton of Basel-Stadt has by far the greatest density of foundations in Switzerland, with more than 43 foundations for every 10,000 inhabitants (Swiss average: approx. 15). From the smallest foundation to global names, the right partners and like-minded organisations can be found in any size and for any area of society.
Welcome
1/2© Raphael Alu
2/2© Gregorio Caruso
Basel-Stadt is the canton with the greatest density of foundations in Switzerland. The city of Basel has a long foundation tradition. In particular, foundations in Basel are closely tied to art and culture, but there are also renowned foundations in other important areas of society such as social welfare and healthcare, education and research, housing and environmental conservation. Basel is home to the headquarters of the Swiss umbrella organisation proFonds, it’s where SwissFoundations was established, and the Center for Philanthropy Studies (CEPS) of the University of Basel is a research and education institute whose impact extends far beyond Switzerland. Moreover, the Stiftungsstadt Basel association organises the annual Basel Foundation Day, which provides an important platform for exchange and networking in the foundation sector. Operated by the Christoph Merian Stiftung (CMS), Haus der Stiftungen, is another central point of contact for foundations in Basel. The two digital foundation platforms StiftungSchweiz and fundraiso.ch are also based in or originally from the region.
Creating a foundation in Basel
Would you like to establish a foundation in Basel? Thanks to the very liberal laws that govern foundations, it is particularly easy to create a non-profit foundation in Switzerland and the Canton of Basel-Stadt. There are only a few limitations concerning the establishment, purpose definition and organisation of a foundation.
Establishing a foundation involves the following bodies and process:
- Draw up the foundation deed and foundation charter including the purpose, assets and foundation board
- Choose the foundation headquarters and supervisory body (according to the geographical focus of the foundation)
- Request a voluntary preliminary review of the deed and charter by the supervisory body (recommended)
- Arrange notarisation and the entry in the commercial register
- Apply for the assumption of foundation oversight
- Apply for tax exemption from the tax authority (a voluntary preliminary check of the tax exemption may be requested from the tax administration)
A catalogue of FAQs for prospective founders is available on the SwissFoundations website.
Should you have any questions before or after establishing a foundation, the foundation supervisory body for both cantons of Basel will be happy to help you.
You can find information about non-profit umbrella foundations here.
Links
- CEPS
Center for Philanthropy Studies, University of Basel
- proFonds
Umbrella association of Swiss non-profit foundations
- SwissFoundations
Association of Swiss foundations
- Stiftungsstadt Basel association
The Stiftungsstadt Basel association is a one-of-a-kind organisation in Switzerland for local networking. The annual Basel Foundation Day held at the end of August provides an opportunity for exchange and networking, with more than 300 people taking part.
- Swiss Foundation Code
Principles and recommendations for establishing and running foundations
- Foundation Day
European day of foundations
- Swiss foundation supervisory body
- Supervisory authority for both cantons of Basel
- Basel-Stadt chamber of notaries
- Basel-Stadt commercial registry office
The commercial registry office maintains the cantonal commercial register as a public source of information about the approximately 19,000 registered companies, associations and foundations based in the Canton of Basel-Stadt.
- Basel-Stadt tax administration
Here you can find information about taxes and current news.
- Basel economic development office
We are the point of contact for companies in the Canton of Basel-Stadt and are committed to developing the attractive conditions of our economic location.
