stiftelsen

Stiftelsen is the legal form and concept for a foundation in several Nordic languages, most notably Swedish and Norwegian. It designates a nonprofit entity created by a founder’s endowment of assets to be used for a prescribed purpose. Unlike associations or corporations, a stiftelse has no owners or members; its assets are bound to the foundation’s charter and managed by a board or supervisory body dedicated to ensuring that activities and distributions align with its stated goals.

Creation and governance: A stiftelse is typically established by a deed or charter, often specifying the purposes, scope, duration, and rules governing the use of assets. The board exercises ultimate control over the foundation’s assets and operations, and beneficiaries or target activities are defined by the charter. Disbursements, grants, or program funding must adhere to the defined purposes. Foundations commonly receive favorable treatment under national charity or tax laws and are subject to reporting and auditing requirements.

Relation to other entities: A stiftelse differs from for-profit companies and from membership-based associations (föreningar). It is designed to preserve the endowment and direct resources toward long-term public-benefit aims, rather than distribute profits or rely on member participation.

Examples: The Nobel Foundation (Nobelstiftelsen) in Sweden administers the Nobel Prizes. In Norway, examples include foundations such as Stiftelsen Fritt Ord, which focuses on freedom of expression and related activities.

Legal framework: The precise rules governing stiftelser vary by country, but common features include governance by a board, preservation of endowment assets for the designated purpose, and regular reporting or auditing obligations to relevant authorities. Foundations have historical roots in endowments supporting education, culture, and public welfare, and have evolved into formal statutory forms in the modern era.