foundations in berne
Bern is one of the most important foundation locations in Switzerland. More than 10% of all Swiss foundations are based here. The canton also ranks second in Switzerland in terms of the number of foundations. As of 2025, a total of 1,417 foundations are based in the canton.
Foundations in Berne: Diverse Foundation Landscape
Fundraisers looking for suitable foundations for projects in the canton of Bern are spoiled for choice: more than 10% of all Swiss foundations are based in Bern, and there are a total of 1,417 foundations in the canton. In 2025, 25 new foundations were established and 25 were liquidated, resulting in a balanced development with no net change.
With the variety of foundations in the canton, it is not easy to maintain an overview and find relevant foundations that are eligible for funding. Foundation directories and networks bring people, fundraisers and funding organizations together, making it easier to find the right organization and an eligible project. Most foundations in the canton of Berne are active exclusively in the canton and therefore only support projects with a direct connection to the canton. So in order to receive financial aid and support for your project from foundations in Berne, you should prioritise working in or from the region.
Support Foundations, Nonprofit Associations & Projects in Berne
The Swiss Foundation Report shows a significant increase in the number of foundations in Bern in 2025. The number of foundations per 10,000 inhabitants is 13.2. The Spheriq search shows that the most important areas of newly established foundations in Bern are social affairs, education, art and culture, health, as well as politics, society and business.
According to the Foundation Report, the areas of culture and leisure, education and research and social welfare continue to be the most important fields of activity for foundations throughout Switzerland. Looking exclusively at the new foundations established in recent years, there is a particularly strong dynamic in the area of education and research. Topics such as environmental protection and sustainability are also becoming increasingly important and reflect current social developments.
Global as well as cantonal environmental protection projects and associations have also increased in recent years. Foundation directories such as Spheriq.ch make it easy for projects, charitable organizations and funding organizations to find each other. The coding according to topic areas and target groups as well as other filters, such as area of activity or domicile, enable a targeted search for an organisation or project. Spheriq and other digital platforms also provide information on news and current events in the foundation landscape.
Use the search function and create online profiles for your organization and projects – free of charge.
Fundraising for French & German-speaking Switzerland: Bilingual Foundations in Berne
Many bilingual foundations are located in Berne. Applications from French-speaking and German-speaking Switzerland are accepted equally. Berne is also an interesting foundation location for fundraisers from France and Germany. In the case of cross-border cooperation, however, the distinctions under civil and tax law should be taken into account. Foundation law differs in some cases fundamentally in the various countries.