Facts: Foundations
The form of organization means that no one owns the foundation and the funds in it. It has a purpose, and a manager who must fulfill the purpose, for example to award scholarships or support.
Often the money is set aside for various kinds of support and help, by someone who wanted this. The county boards for a register of the foundations.
Sources: The Tax Agency and the County Administrative Board in Skåne
The money in the foundations has often come from a donor who wanted to help certain specific groups. The purposes can be described quite archaically and do not always fit the language and needs that exist today.
Nevertheless – foundations can be a lifesaver for many who need financial help. Especially now, when the economy is struggling and prices are soaring.
— There are billions in the foundations, but to no avail if people are not looking for money. People don’t know that there are funds to apply for, says Daniel Johannesson, who is an administrative officer at the county board in Skåne.
Searchable register
The county boards maintain a common searchable register of foundations. Foundation issues are handled at seven county administrative boards in the country.
But it’s hard to find them if you don’t know how to look. Daniel Johannesson advises on how to search in the foundation register.
— The best thing is to use the advanced search and select a municipality.
When it comes to keywords, you have to try to be inventive. The register describes the purposes of the foundations, and the wording can be very old with words we do not use today.
— You can search for “needy”, “poor”, “poor” which was another word for poor, or “pope”. Also the term “pauvres honteux” appears, an old French description of the poor and needy.
Applications and supporting documents
Anyone who wants to apply for money from a foundation needs to find out what kind of documentation is needed, and who handles applications.
Daniel Johannesson says that many foundations are managed by the municipalities. Then the application is sent there, and often it is during certain fixed application times. Other foundations have their own boards as trustees and manage the handling of applications themselves. The register shows who manages the foundation.