The assets of foundations in Switzerland have risen to CHF 160 billion, as the latest figures from the 2026 Foundation Report show. To increase their impact, foundations are increasingly relying on strategic partnerships.
The Swiss foundation sector is growing. According to the recently published Foundation Report 2026, there were a total of 13,984 foundations in Switzerland at the end of 2025. Of these, 202 are in liquidation. This means that 13,782 foundations remain active. In 2025, the sector recorded a net increase of 72 foundations. 325 foundations were newly established last year and 253 were liquidated. The foundations’ assets also increased. For the fourth time since 2012, the Center for Philanthropy Studies (CEPS) conducted a survey of assets with the national and cantonal supervisory authorities. At just under CHF 160 billion, these are around CHF 20 billion higher than in 2022 and are more than twice as large as in the first survey in 2012, when assets amounted to CHF 70 billion.
Half have a regional and local impact
On the regional foundation map, Zurich remains the canton with the most foundations. 2218 are based here. With 38 foundations, the canton of Appenzell Innerhoden is home to the fewest foundations. Basel-Stadt still has the highest density of foundations with 42.9 foundations per 10,000 inhabitants. The lowest density of foundations is in Aargau with 6.7 per 10,000 inhabitants. The foundations’ radius of activity is 51.6 percent regional and local. It is rare for foundation boards to hold several mandates. Only 0.1 percent of foundation board members have more than five mandates. 92.4 percent of all foundation board members have only one mandate. A total of 70,434 are held by 63,672 people. As only 18.3 percent of foundations have a registered management, the foundation board members also have operational tasks.
This year’s edition of the Foundation Report focuses on effective action. The focus on projects with an organization-oriented view is increasingly reaching its limits. Systemic change now requires a focus on social goals. This also changes the role of foundations. They act as coordinators or can shape the conditions for joint action. Because systemic change is rarely brought about by individual actors, funding is also shifting more towards networks and ecosystems.
