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A private foundation is a tax-exempt organization that does not rely on broad public support and generally claims to serve humanitarian purposes.

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43-857: The International Institute in Geneva (IIG) -- formerly known as International University in Geneva - IUN or IUG), founded in 1997, is a private business school in Geneva , Switzerland . The business school is located in the International Centre Cointrin, next to Geneva Airport . Its first president was David Williamson (former president of DuPont ). IIG has 270 students. The International Institute in Geneva offers undergraduate and graduate programs in several disciplines, including international relations , and communications , science , administration , management , and trade & finance . The business school offers joint degrees at

86-458: A declaration of intention including a purpose and endow assets for such purpose. This document can be in the form of a notarized deed or a will. To obtain legal personality, the foundation must enroll in the legal register of each prefettura (local authority) or some cases the regional authority. There are several nuances in requirements according to each foundation's purpose and area of activity. Non-profit foundations are termed as stichting in

129-540: A distinct patrimony independent of its founder . In Finland, foundations ( Finnish : säätiö , Swedish : stiftelse ) are regulated by the Finnish Patent and Registration Office and have the four following characteristics: Foundations are considered legal persons in Finland. The Foundations Act in 2015 dramatically updated the laws regarding foundations. There are not many foundations in comparison to

172-432: A diversity of forms and may follow varying regulations depending on the jurisdiction where they are created. Foundations are often set up for charitable purposes , family patrimony and collective purposes which can include education or research. In some jurisdictions, a foundation may acquire its legal personality when it is entered in a public registry, while in other countries a foundation may acquire legal personality by

215-415: A former such entity). It is defined by a negative definition: by what it is not. A private foundation is not a public charity , as described in section 170(b)(1)(A) (i) through (vi). Neither is it a section 509(a)(2) organization, nor a supporting organization . Private foundations are subject to 1.39% excise taxes found in section 4940 through 4945 of the internal revenue code. Once a charity becomes

258-895: A general discussion on foundations was brought forth to the Jersey government concerning this possibility. It was adopted by the states of Jersey on 22 October 2008 through the Foundations (Jersey) Law 200. In the United States, many philanthropic and charitable organizations (such as the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation ) are considered to be foundations. However, the Internal Revenue Code distinguishes between private foundations (usually endowed by an individual, family, or corporation) and public charities ( community foundations or other nonprofit groups that raise money from

301-488: A private foundation, it retains that status unless it follows the difficult termination rules of section 507. Every organization that qualifies for tax exemption as an organization described in section 501(c)(3) is a private foundation unless it falls into one of the categories specifically excluded from the definition of that term (referred to in section 509(a)). In addition, certain nonexempt charitable trusts are also treated as private foundations. Organizations that fall into

344-413: A role in supporting research on foundations. Private foundations Unlike a charitable foundation , a private foundation does not generally solicit funds from the public or have the legal requirements and reporting responsibilities of a registered non-profit or charitable foundation. Not all foundations engage in philanthropy; some private foundations are used for estate planning purposes. One of

387-489: A specific purpose. A private foundation may have diverse purposes, including collective, familiar, or the purpose of passive administration of funds. Normally, the supervision of a private foundation is done by the county government where the foundation has its domicile, however, large foundations must be registered by the County Administrative Board (CAB), which must also supervise the administration of

430-474: A specific purpose. When the purpose is for the public benefit, a foundation may enjoy favorable tax treatment. A foundation may have diverse purposes, including but not limited to public benefit, humanitarian or cultural purposes, religious, collective, familiar, or the simple passive administration of funds. Normally, the supervision of a foundation is done by the county government where the foundation has its domicile, however, large foundations must be registered by

473-403: Is a type of nonprofit organization or charitable trust that usually provides funding and support to other charitable organizations through grants, while also potentially participating directly in charitable activities. Foundations encompass public charitable foundations, like community foundations , and private foundations , which are often endowed by an individual or family. Nevertheless,

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516-1359: Is also available. The president is Eric Willumsen (founder and executive vice-president). The chancellor is Claude Martin, former Director General of World Wide Fund for Nature . Nigerian chief trade negotiator Chiedu Osakwe was adjunct professor till 2017. IIG developed educational affiliation agreements for study-abroad in North and South America including Boston University, Tulane in New Orleans , IUP in Pennsylvania , MIIS in California , UConn in Connecticut , Champlain College in Vermont , Anahuac University in Mexico City , Universidad Externado de Colombia in Colombia and Universidad de San Ignacio de Loyola in Peru . Finally IIG also developed affiliation agreements for study-abroad in Asia with

559-510: Is dominated by private entities). Foundations may only be operational after being recognized by the Prime Minister of Portugal . Foundations must designate and pursue at least one of twenty-five public benefit goals defined by law. They must also have enough assets to pursue those goals. They may not benefit the founders or any other restricted group, but the general public. Portuguese foundations may voluntarily associate themselves via

602-442: Is made up of a majority of directors at arm's length. A private foundation is not allowed to engage in any business activity, but it can operate its own charitable program. The Canada Revenue Agency designates the application as a "charitable organization", a "public foundation", or a "private foundation", depending on its structure, its source of funding and its operation. The Income Tax Act requirements are different, depending on

645-507: Is no commonly accepted legal definition across Europe for a foundation. There was a proposal for a European Foundation Statute , a legal form that would create a legal definition recognised across all EU Member States . However, this proposal was withdrawn in 2015 following its failure to pass through COREPER 1 . The term "foundation", in general, is used to describe a distinct legal entity. Foundations as legal structures ( legal entities ) and/or legal persons ( legal personality ) may have

688-458: Is taxed like any other legal entity. There is no central register for German foundations. Only charitable foundations are subject to supervision by state authorities. Family foundations are not supervised after establishment. All forms of foundations can be dissolved, however, if they pursue anti-constitutional aims. Foundations are supervised by local authorities within each state ( Bundesland ) because each state has exclusive legislative power over

731-623: Is the largest private foundation in the U.S. with over $ 38 billion in assets. Most private foundations are much smaller. Out of the 84,000 private foundations that filed with the IRS in 2008, approximately 66% have less than $ 1 million in assets, and 93% have less than $ 10 million in assets. In aggregate, private foundations in the U.S. control over $ 628 billion in assets and made more than $ 44 billion in charitable contributions in 2007. The following foundations are set up under civil law legal systems: The Austrian Private Foundation (Privatstiftung)

774-606: The Canada Revenue Agency is a branch of the Canadian government which regulates all foundations. Under Canadian law, since 1967, a private foundation is controlled by a single donor or family through a board that is made up of a majority (more than 50%) of directors at non-arm's length. It is a legally registered charity with the Canada Revenue Agency. A public foundation is governed by a board that

817-545: The Indian Institute of Foreign Trade , New Delhi - India . IIG has a Model UN Team that participates in Harvard WorldMUN and United Ambassadors MUNC Geneva conferences organized annually. Additionally IIG has a football team that practices regularly and plays matches with other university teams in Geneva. Foundation (charity) A foundation (also referred to as a charitable foundation )

860-785: The Bachelor and Graduate levels with Plymouth University , UK. Students may select a unique option: the IIG master in IR and extending their studies to include an individual research dissertation to gain the award of MA-IR at University of Plymouth (UK) without leaving Geneva. A partnership with Boston University , USA, is also giving an opportunity to earn a double degree with the opportunity to study in Boston. A Doctorate in Business Administration jointly offered with Plymouth University

903-627: The Netherlands which are regulated by Dutch law . A foundation ( Fundação ) in Portugal is regulated by Law 150/2015, with the exception of religious foundations, which are regulated by the Religious Freedom Law. Foundations may be private, wholly public (created and managed exclusively by public bodies), or public but with private management (created by public entities and optionally also private entities, but whose management

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946-739: The Portuguese Foundation Centre ( CPF – Centro Português de Fundações ), that was founded in 1993 by the Eng. António de Almeida Foundation, the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation and the Oriente Foundation. Foundations in Spain are organizations founded with the purpose of not seeking profit and serving the general needs of the public. Such foundations may be founded by private individuals or by

989-801: The UK, the word "foundation" is sometimes used in the title of a charity, as in the British Heart Foundation and the Fairtrade Foundation . Despite this, the term is not generally used in English law , and (unlike in civil law systems) the term has no precise meaning. Instead, the concept of charitable trust is in use (for example, the Wellcome Trust ). The States of Jersey are considering introducing civil law type foundations into its law. A consultation paper presenting

1032-527: The characteristics of the legal entities existing under the status of "Foundations" is a wide diversity of structures and purposes. Nevertheless, there are some common structural elements that are the first observed under legal scrutiny or classification. Some of the above must be, in most jurisdictions, expressed in the document of establishment. Others may be provided by the supervising authority at each particular jurisdiction. The following foundations are set up under common law legal systems : In Canada ,

1075-469: The charity's structure, funding sources, and mode of operation. Charities receive notification of their designation from the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) upon registration. A charity with only one director or trustee is automatically designated as a private foundation. To be designated as a charitable organization or public foundation, more than half of the directors, trustees, or officials must be at arm's length. The CRA applies specific criteria to determine

1118-671: The county administrative board (CAB), which must also supervise the administration of the foundation. The main legal instruments governing foundations in Sweden are the Foundation Act (1994:1220) and the Regulation for Foundations (1995:1280). A foundation needs to be registered with the company register. Under Canadian law , registered charities may be designated as charitable organizations , public foundations, or private foundations. The designation depends on factors such as

1161-557: The designation, including the charity's purposes, activities, income allocation, and relationships with officials and donors. The law does not prescribe any particular form for a foundation in Ireland. Most commonly, foundations are companies limited by guarantees or trusts. A foundation can obtain a charity registration number from the Revenue Commissioners for obtaining tax relief as far as they can be considered under

1204-540: The excluded categories are institutions such as hospitals or universities and those that generally have broad public support or actively function in a supporting relationship to such organizations. In the United States, there are several restrictions and requirements on private foundations, including: Violations of these provisions give rise to taxes and penalties against the private foundation and, in some cases, its managers, its substantial contributors, and certain related persons. The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation

1247-475: The foundation or have reverted the initial assets. The private foundations or civil code foundations are under the section about non commercial entities of the first book of the Civil Code of Law of 1942. Article 16 CC establishes that the foundation's statutes must contain its name, purpose, assets, domicile, administrative organs and regulations, and how the grants will be distributed. The founder must write

1290-640: The founder and beneficiaries are non-residents of Mauritius. A foundation in the Netherlands (Stichting) is a legal person created through a legal act. This act is usually either a notarised deed (or a will) that contains the articles of the foundation which must include the first appointed board. Foundation legislation was last reformed in 1998, giving rise to the Netherlands Antilles Private Foundation (Stichting Particulier Fonds). The Nevis Multiform Foundation

1333-428: The general public). While they offer donors more control over their charitable giving, private foundations have more restrictions and fewer tax benefits than public charities. At an international level there are a series of networks and associations of foundations, among them Council on Foundations , EFC ( European Foundation Centre ), WINGS (Worldwide Initiatives for Grantmaker Support). Those organization also have

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1376-603: The law on charity, however, charitable status does not exist in Ireland. The definition usually applied is that from the Pemsel Case of English jurisprudence (1891) and the Irish Income Tax Act 1967. Trusts have no legal personality and companies acquire their legal status through the Company law and the required documents of incorporation. Foundations are not required to register with any public authority. In

1419-542: The laws governing foundations. In contrast to many other countries, German law allows a tax-sheltered charitable foundation to distribute up to one-third of its profit to the founder and his next of kin, if they are needy, or to maintain the founder's grave. These benefits are subject to taxation. As of 2008 , there are about 15,000 foundations in Germany, about 85% of them charitable foundations. More than 250 charitable German foundations have existed for more than 500 years;

1462-402: The main purpose of the foundation. There is no minimum starting capital, although in practice at least €50,000 is considered necessary. A German foundation can either be charitable or serve a private interest. Charitable foundations enjoy tax exemptions. If they engage in commercial activities, only the commercially active part of the entity is taxed. A family foundation serving private interests

1505-440: The mere action of creation through a required document. Unlike a company, foundations have no shareholders , though they may have a board, an assembly and voting members. A foundation may hold assets in its own name for the purposes set out in its constitutive documents, and its administration and operation are carried out in accordance with its statutes or articles of association rather than fiduciary principles. The foundation has

1548-429: The oldest dates back to 1509. There are also large German corporations owned by foundations, including Bertelsmann , Bosch , Carl Zeiss AG and Lidl . Foundations are the main providers of private scholarships to German students. In Italy, a foundation is a private non-profit and autonomous organization, its assets must be dedicated to a purpose established by the founder. The founder cannot receive any benefits from

1591-670: The private foundation to beneficiaries. The Liechtenstein Family Foundation (Stiftung) was first introduced in 1926 and updated by the Act Reforming the Persons and Companies Act in 2008 which included a new Act on Foundations. They are allowed to pursue non-commercial and/or private benefit purposes. Private Benefit Family Foundation pays no taxes. The Mauritius Foundation was introduced following 'The Foundations Act' of 2012. Such entities are tax exempt as long as

1634-432: The public. These foundations have an independent legal personality separate from their founders. Foundations serve the general needs of the public with a patrimony that funds public services and may not be distributed to the founders' benefit. A foundation in Sweden ( Swedish : stiftelse ) is a legal entity without an owner. It is formed by a letter of donation from a founder donating funds or assets to be administered for

1677-486: The rest of Europe. In practice public administration requires at least €1 million necessary. State representatives have a mandatory seat in the board. German regulations allow the creation of any foundation for public or private purposes in keeping with the concept of a gemeinwohlkonforme Allzweckstiftung ("general-purpose foundation compatible with the common good"). A foundation should not have commercial activities as its main purpose, but they arre permitted if they serve

1720-463: The term "foundation" might also be adopted by organizations not primarily engaged in public grantmaking. Legal entities existing under the status of "foundations" have a wide diversity of structures and purposes. Nevertheless, there are some common structural elements. Some of the above must be, in most jurisdictions, expressed in the document of establishment. Others may be provided by the supervising authority at each particular jurisdiction. There

1763-653: The type of charity ( Income Tax Act , R.S.C. 1985 (5th supp.) c. 1, para. 149.1(4)(a)). Foundations were first introduced in The Bahamas in December 2004 following the Foundations Act. A private foundation, in the United States, is a charitable organization described in the Internal Revenue Code by section 509. A private foundation is necessarily a 501(c)(3) exempt organization (or

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1806-534: Was introduced in 2005. The Panama Private Interest Foundation was introduced following the Law 25, June 12, 1995. The Saint Kitts Foundation was introduced following the Foundation Act of 2003. The Seychelles Foundation was introduced following the Foundation Act of 2009. A private foundation in Sweden (Stiftelse) is formed by a letter of donation from a founder donating funds or assets to be administered for

1849-557: Was last reformed under the Private Foundation Act in September 1993. The Austrian private foundation is considered a legal person having beneficiaries rather than shareholders or proprietors and may be established for any purpose. There are three levels of taxation related to Austrian private foundations: taxation of asset transfers, ongoing taxation of the private foundation's income; and taxation of distributions from

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