Foundations in the canton of Aargau
6.7 foundations per 10,000 residents—that was the foundation density in the canton of Aargau in 2025, according to the Swiss Foundation Report. At the end of 2025, Aargau had 499 foundations, while Switzerland as a whole had 13,782 active foundations.
Aargau: The Canton with the Lowest Density of Foundations
Compared to other cantons, the canton of Aargau has the lowest density of foundations and ranks last, tied with the canton of Thurgau, which has only two more foundations per 10,000 residents. Basel-Stadt, the “foundation capital of Europe,” holds the undisputed top spot with 42.9 foundations per 10,000 residents.
Local foundations in Aargau and their focus
Looking at the general developments in the foundation sector, it is noticeable that liquidations and foundations vary from canton to canton, although 70 percent of foundations have been established in the last 30 years.
The canton of Aargau is characterized by a large number of locally active foundations. The majority of funding initiatives are carried out within the canton. Most of the canton’s foundations are active in the areas of social services, education, and the arts and culture. In addition, many philanthropists are committed to healthcare, environmental protection, housing, and development cooperation.
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