Country profile
Sweden
Definition
In Sweden, a foundation is defined as an: (1) an asset or property that (2) has been set aside from the donor(s) (3) to be administrated separately and permanently (4) with the aim of a specific purpose. The principal rule is that foundations, unless otherwise stated in the founding documents, are to be managed in perpetuity, but there is the possibility to create spend-down foundations. Foundations can pursue any legal purpose that the founder has specified. Only purposes defined as public benefit will however be tax exempt.
Sweden’s philanthropy profile
€45,210 million (2024)
Pool of assets
€923 million (2024)
Total expenditure
No data
Total employment
Sweden’s foundations
17,631 (2024)
foundations
Data on the number of foundations were taken from Swedish County Administrative Boards and subsequently processed, cleaned and provided by The Association of Swedish Foundations. Swedish foundations are required to register at a County Administrative Board if they have over c. €30,000 of capital. Therefore, the true figure for the number of foundations may be higher. Asset and expenditure data is more difficult to collect for Swedish foundations. The expenditure figure included contains grants given only.