An exceptional opportunity to take over the governance of an existing Swiss foundation, established in 2020, reported to have an active Swiss bank account and subject to federal foundation supervision.
We are offering the opportunity to take over the governance of an existing Swiss foundation pursuing a public-interest purpose, based in Geneva and entered in the Commercial Register in February 2020.
Key features
- Date of establishment: February 2020.
- Registered seat: Geneva, Switzerland.
- Legal form: Swiss-law foundation with its own legal personality.
- Supervision: subject to the Swiss Federal Supervisory Authority for Foundations, attached to the Federal Department of Home Affairs.
- Initial endowment: CHF 50,000. This historical amount does not indicate the current value of the assets or bank balance.
- Banking: Swiss bank account reported as active, subject to recent confirmation from the bank.
- Governance: foundation board and statutory auditor.
Activities permitted under the statutes
The foundation was established to finance and support projects with a substantial social impact and public-interest initiatives in Switzerland and internationally.
Its statutory areas of activity include:
- Assistance to homeless people and disadvantaged communities.
- Education, including cultural and vocational training, for people from families living below the poverty line.
- Environmental protection.
- Promotion of equality between women and men.
- Interfaith dialogue.
- Digital education and inclusion.
- Humanitarian, educational, cultural and scientific initiatives connected with the foundation’s purpose.
The foundation may also receive donations, legacies and grants; own movable and immovable property; award financial assistance and scholarships; fund projects serving the public interest; and organise conferences, in accordance with its statutory purpose and any conditions attached to donations.
Swiss foundation vs. trust: what is the difference?
A Swiss foundation shares certain features with a common-law trust, particularly the dedication and management of assets for defined purposes.
There is, however, a fundamental legal distinction.
In a trust, assets are held and administered by a trustee in accordance with the trust terms, for beneficiaries or for a specified purpose, as permitted by the applicable law.
A Swiss foundation, by contrast, has its own separate legal personality. It owns its assets directly, independently of its founder, and must use them in accordance with its statutory purpose.
Unlike a company, a foundation has no shareholders or shares.
A Swiss foundation pursuing a public-interest purpose also operates within a structured legal framework and is subject to institutional supervision, making it particularly relevant to philanthropic, humanitarian and other public-interest initiatives.
It is not, however, the equivalent of a private family trust: its assets remain dedicated to its statutory purpose and cannot be freely distributed to private beneficiaries. Assistance to individuals remains possible where it serves that purpose.
Why take over an existing foundation?
- An existing Swiss legal entity established more than six years ago.
- Existing registration in the Geneva Commercial Register.
- Formal status under federal foundation supervision.
- A Swiss bank account reported as active, to be confirmed with the bank.
- Statutes covering a wide range of philanthropic and humanitarian purposes.
- A structure through which projects may be supported in Switzerland and abroad.
- An established legal framework for continuing or developing public-interest activities.
This opportunity may appeal to philanthropists, family offices, entrepreneurs, international groups and organisations wishing to develop philanthropic activities through an existing Swiss foundation.
Takeover arrangements
A takeover would be structured through an appropriate reorganisation of the foundation’s governance, while respecting its statutory purpose and all applicable legal and supervisory requirements.
This is not a share sale: Swiss foundations have neither shareholders nor equity shares. A governance takeover confers no ownership rights over the foundation’s assets.
Appointments and changes to signing authorities must comply with the statutes and be notified to the Commercial Register and the federal supervisory authority. Any amendment to the statutes remains subject to the required procedures and decisions.
The account remains in the foundation’s name. The bank must update its authorised persons and compliance checks; continuation of the banking relationship cannot be guaranteed in advance.
A public-interest purpose and federal supervision do not, on their own, establish tax-exempt status. Any claimed exemption must be supported by an applicable tax ruling.
The takeover requires a review of the current statutes, recent accounts, commitments, audit reports and correspondence with the supervisory authority.
Price and terms of the takeover arrangement: available on request.
The financial terms of the arrangement must be distinguished from the foundation’s endowment and assets, which remain dedicated to its purpose.
Additional information and documentation may be provided to genuinely interested parties, subject to confidentiality.
Enquiries: email us (insight@fintechlex.com) or message us on WhatsApp.
For the legal framework, read: Establishing a Foundation in Switzerland in 2026.
