yayasans

Yayasan is a legal form for not-for-profit organizations used in Indonesia and Malaysia, referring to a foundation established to pursue philanthropic, educational, religious, or social objectives. A yayasan is usually created by private individuals, families, or corporations and becomes a separate legal entity with its own governance structures.

Governance is typically provided by a board of trustees or directors, sometimes accompanied by a supervisory board. Most yayasan have by-laws that restrict the distribution of profits or assets to private individuals; income must be used to advance the stated mission. They may own property and enter contracts in their own name and are subject to licensing, registration, and reporting requirements under national law.

Yayasan pursue activities in education, health care, social welfare, culture, religion, and research. Common sources of funding include endowments, donations, grants, and sometimes government subsidies. They often collaborate with schools, hospitals, universities, religious groups, and civil-society organizations.

Because the term denotes a widely used form of civil society organization rather than a single entity, specific powers, obligations, and governance practices vary by country and jurisdiction. In practice, yayasan are a core component of the non-profit sector in Indonesia and Malaysia, providing long-term endowments and program delivery that complements government services.