FAQ

You can find out how the subscriptions differ in detail here “.

StiftungSchweiz only offers subscriptions with an annual term.
If you would like to test the offer without obligation, we recommend the free level.
This allows you to get a taste of the service free of charge. Simply register and take advantage of the free offer without obligation.

The terms Nonprofits, Funders and Experts refer to different roles in the philanthropy sector:

• Nonprofits: This includes non-profit organizations with an official legal form such as a foundation, association, public institution, which are usually looking for funding.
  Select this option if you want to submit applications for your projects on behalf of an organization, present your organization, expand your network or collect donations.
• Funders: This includes organizations that focus on grant giving, such as grant giving foundations.
  Select this option if you are a representative of a funding organization and would like to receive and manage applications, scout projects, present your organization or expand your network.
• Experts: Choose this option if you are an individual or organization without an official legal form and would like to submit applications, advise non-profit organizations, help shape topics or expand your network.

When registering, you must choose a role – Nonprofit, Funder or Expert/Individual.
This choice helps to provide customized features and services tailored to the specific needs of each player in the philanthropy sector.
This ensures that you only pay for the services that are relevant to your role, be it project application, donation management or consulting.

As a private individual, organization or company, you can donate directly via SpendenSchweiz.ch to an organization or project of your choice.

StiftungSchweiz offers a variety of features tailored to digital philanthropy, including:

• Search: Extensive search for foundations and associations.
• Lists: Save and manage search results.
• Portraits: Presentation of organizations and projects.
• Application and funding management: Administration of funding applications.
• Networks: networking and community building.
• Donation tools: Online donation functions.
• AI assistants: Support from artificial intelligence.
• Webinars & training: knowledge transfer in various formats.

You can find out more about the functions here.

StiftungSchweiz is an initiative of Philanthropy Services AG from Basel. You can find out more under the menu item “About StiftungSchweiz”.

StiftungSchweiz is currently only active in Switzerland. Accordingly, only foundations from the Swiss Commercial Register are currently listed on stiftungschweiz.ch.

No, StiftungSchweiz is not a foundation.
StiftungSchweiz was originally primarily a platform for foundation research – hence the name. Meanwhile, the offer is more diverse and covers all areas of philanthropy.

We map this directory based on the public interest in transparency in the largely tax-exempt foundation sector.
As we do this successfully and offer practical added value to many users, Google rewards us with a high ranking.
Incidentally, the practice of publishing commercial register data is supported by a decision of the Federal Administrative Court in 2008.
Switzerland’s highest court ruled in favor of the public disclosure of commercial register data and free publication on platforms.
From a legal point of view, the question is thus answered in a binding manner for all sides.

On stiftungschweiz.ch you will find all charitable foundations in Switzerland that are registered in the commercial register. This also includes church foundations. Therefore, more than 13000 foundations are listed on stiftungschweiz.ch. Family foundations and welfare foundations are not represented on the platform.

StiftungSchweiz is a comprehensive and structured directory of all non-profit and funding organizations in Switzerland as well as numerous associations, cooperatives and non-profit limited liability companies that have registered themselves in this directory.
Transparency is crucial for the public perception of foundations.
And very few foundations want to be invisible.
However, they are also tax-exempt and the public therefore has a legitimate interest in knowing the reason for this tax exemption…

Sure you can, and we even invite you to do so.
Create a profile, claim your organization and add up-to-date information about your organization.
For example, that you do not accept applications.
Or that you only want to be contacted by e-mail.
Or that you have no more funds for further awards in the current year.
Or that all your funds are tied to the purpose of the foundation and go exclusively to a designated organization.
Just to name a few examples.
Does that cost anything?
No, since September 2023 you have been using the central directory functions absolutely free of charge.
Can you please adjust the profile?
Sometimes we do this as a gesture of goodwill.
But even then we need proof that you are authorized to act on behalf of the foundation.

Not via StiftungSchweiz.
Changes to the purpose of the foundation are possible under certain circumstances (especially if you have already provided for this when setting up the foundation) – but the foundation supervisory authorities and cantonal tax authorities are responsible for this.
As soon as a change is published in the commercial register, it is automatically transferred to StiftungSchweiz.

From time to time we receive requests to hide a foundation.
We also read this mail and answer it carefully.
But with what answer?
As a rule, we see no reason – because there is a legal basis for the publication of commercial register data.
Incidentally, this is also the response of our competitor in the market, with whose management we also discuss such requests.
Nevertheless, we try to offer a helping hand.
In most cases, the aim is to supplement the organization’s profile with key information.
For example: We do not accept applications.
In exceptional cases, an organization will be hidden on our platform.
We do this on sight and without any legal basis for doing so. What do I do if I want to suppress an entry? We need the following information from you:

• If you do not have a login with us and are authenticated as an organization representative: Proof of your authorization to act on behalf of the foundation.
• The exact reason for your request for deletion. Are you in liquidation, have you exhausted your funds? Please tell us why you do not want to be visible.
• A telephone number and an e-mail for queries. Anonymous inquiries or anonymous callers will of course not be considered.

In the vast majority of cases, we see no comprehensible reason to respond to these requests. Sometimes, for example when a foundation is in liquidation and the responsible authority has not yet recorded this, we support those responsible by making them temporarily invisible.

That is – correctly – not a question, but an assertion.
And it has been refuted many times over.
A foundation does not receive more applications because of StiftungSchweiz, but at best the right ones.
To do this, however, the foundation must enhance its profile, as we are generally not allowed to do this ourselves.

As a nonprofit, you can – after you have also entered your organization – enter your projects on stiftungschweiz.ch with a project portrait.
This is already possible at the free level.
Funders can also create projects. If the projects are sponsored by you, you can add them to your grantmaking organization portrait. If you are both promoting and implementing your own projects, you can create a second organizational portrait in the role of a project sponsor.

The categorization of foundations is based on their purpose description in the commercial register.
StiftungSchweiz segments the foundations according to subject area, target groups, area of activity and much more.
This data flows into the search filters and allows searchers to conduct a precise search.
You can read more about the search and the filters on the foundation search function page.

You can change the subscription in your account menu.
To upgrade the level, click on “Select another level” in the “Access” menu item in the user profile.
Then select the appropriate level, click on “Upgrade” and confirm the upgrade.

You can reset your password on the following page and then log in with a new password: Reset password.

Once you have registered on stiftungschweiz.ch, you can check and/or complete your personal details on your account (the button can be found at the top right).