Foundations in Eastern Switzerland
According to the Swiss Foundation Report, there will be 13,782 active foundations throughout Switzerland by the end of 2025. Of these, 1,737 are located in Eastern Switzerland. This means that approximately 13 percent of Switzerland’s operational and grant-making foundations are concentrated in this region.
Foundations in Eastern Switzerland: Regionally Active
1,737—that is the total number of foundations in the cantons of Eastern Switzerland: Thurgau, Glarus, Schaffhausen, Appenzell Ausserrhoden, Appenzell Innerrhoden, St. Gallen, and Graubünden. According to the Swiss Foundation Report, there will be 13,782 active foundations across Switzerland by the end of 2025. Consequently, Eastern Switzerland is home to about 13 percent of Switzerland’s operational and grant-making foundations.
Dynamic growth is also evident within the various regions: Graubünden recorded 13 new foundations and 6 liquidations in 2025, bringing its total to 553 foundations. St. Gallen follows with 538 foundations. Glarus continues to lead the way in terms of foundation density: with 27.5 foundations per 10,000 residents, the canton is among the cantons with the highest foundation density in Switzerland and ranks third behind Basel-Stadt and Zug.
Culture, Social Services, and Education: The Focus of Foundations in Eastern Switzerland
Eastern Switzerland is home to a wide variety of foundations that operate at the regional level. This offers advantages, as local initiatives often receive more attention than projects with a national focus. The most common types of foundations in Eastern Switzerland are those focused on social issues, the arts and culture, and education. As a result, the grant giving foundations in Eastern Switzerland cover a broad spectrum of social issues, ranging from support for disadvantaged people to cultural projects and educational initiatives. This commitment is complemented by numerous foundations in the fields of research and science, health, environmental and animal protection, as well as politics, society, and the economy.
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Find Foundations in Eastern Switzerland: Fundraising, Donation & Sponsorship
Finding foundations active at the cantonal level is easy thanks to foundation directories like Spheriq.ch. On our digital philanthropy platform, funding organizations and nonprofit organizations seeking funding can quickly and efficiently connect with one another thanks to a smart search and matching system. This way, you don’t waste time on tedious research and can focus on what matters most.