Open a Foundation in Argentina

If you are planning to open a foundation in Argentina, you are recommended to do it with the help of local experts. You are welcome to get in touch with our specialists in company incorporation in Argentina to learn more about our services. With their assistance, you will be able to set up a foundation in Buenos Aires, for example, avoiding possible complexities that might arise throughout the process.

Types of foundations in Argentina

In Argentina, several types of foundations can be established based on their purpose and activities. So, if you are interested in setting up a foundation in Argentina, you can find below general information about their types:

• Private Foundation (Fundacion Privada): This is the most common type of foundation in Argentina and is established by private individuals or families. Private foundations are typically created to promote social, cultural, educational, scientific, or charitable activities. They are governed by a board of directors and can receive funds from private donations, investments, and other sources. If you want you open this type of foundation in Buenos Aires, the services of our agents are at your disposal;
• Corporate Foundation (Fundacion Empresarial): The corporate foundation is established by businesses or corporations to support social, cultural, or charitable initiatives aligned with their corporate social responsibility (CSR) objectives. They are governed by a board of directors and are funded with the company’s resources or donations from the company and its employees;
• Public Foundation (Fundacion Pública): Public foundation is incorporated and funded by the government or public entities to support specific social, cultural, or educational initiatives. It is governed by a board of directors and is subject to government regulations and oversight. Our agents can help you open a foundation in Argentina;
• Community Foundation (Fundacion Comunitaria): Community foundation is set up by groups of individuals or organizations to support specific communities or regions. It typically focuses on local needs and initiatives and involves local stakeholders in their governance and decision-making processes;
• Foreign Foundation (Fundaciones Extranjera): Foreign foundation is established by foreign individuals, families, or organizations in Argentina to carry out charitable or philanthropic activities within the country. It is subject to local laws and regulations and must meet specific requirements for its establishment and operation. Get in touch with our agents to learn about the requirements.

If you are interested and planning to set up a foundation in Argentina, get in touch with our company formation specialists. It is important to note that the specific regulations and requirements for each type of foundation in Argentina might vary. We also help foreign and local entrepreneurs in opening a company in Argentina by managing all the formalities.

How to open a foundation in Argentina

Let’s explore some of the main requirements for establishing a foundation in Argentina:

• define the purpose of the foundation: The first step in opening a foundation in Argentina is to define its purpose. This involves determining the specific social, cultural, or charitable activities that it will undertake;
• choose the name of the foundation: Its name should be chosen carefully and should not be similar to any existing names of organizations in Argentina;
• draft the foundation’s bylaws: They should include important details such as: the purpose of the foundation, its governing structure, and the rights and obligations of its members;
• obtain the approval of the foundation’s bylaws from the Inspección General de Justicia (IGJ, Ministry of Justice) in Buenos Aires City, or from the provincial authority elsewhere;
• obtain a tax ID number (CUIT) from ARCA (Agencia de Recaudación y Control Aduanero, formerly AFIP);
• register the foundation with the Public Registry of Legal Entities in the city where it will be located. This registration process involves submitting the foundation’s bylaws, a list of its directors, and other required documents;
• open a bank account where all donations and income will be deposited;
• comply with annual reporting requirements, including submitting financial statements and other documentation to the relevant authorities.

Foundations in Argentina and financial contribution

Foundations in Argentina are also known as non-profit organizations. They must fulfill their objectives, as specified at the time of incorporation. It is good to know that a foundation in Argentina must have a minimum initial endowment of 10 minimum wages (about ARS 3.9 million in October 2026) in Buenos Aires City (IGJ General Resolution 15/2024). In the case of a civil association, the minimum deposit required is ARS 1,000. It is also allowed for your non-profit organization/foundation in Argentina to be incorporated without a minimum deposit, but in this case, a certified public accountant will be needed, who can offer consulting services, tax advice and conduct audits, among other responsibilities. However, to fully understand what financing a foundation in Argentina entails, we invite you to discuss all aspects with one of our agents in company formation in Argentina. We are at your disposal with personalized assistance so that your foundation in Argentina can start its activities in the shortest possible time.

What changes does the legislation bring for non-profit organizations in Argentina?

When you want to open a foundation/non-profit organization in Argentina, it is recommended to know the legislation in force. Even though in most cases, the main requirements are imposed, there are also improvements made to the legislation. For example, a foundation in Argentina can be established only after the relevant authorities have conducted a risk analysis of abuse for terrorist financing of non-profit organizations. The same law, and more precisely Art. 34 of the Nonprofit Law in Argentina, with the recent amendments, stipulates that a foundation must be transparent in its activities and have suitable measures to alleviate risks. It is also mandatory for foundations in Argentina to collaborate with thecorresponding sectors in matters of terrorist financing risks.

Number of foundations in Argentina

You can review some information about the established foundations in Argentina:

• It is estimated that there are over 165,816 non-profit organizations and charities established in Argentina.
• Around 6,000 religious institutions are active in Argentina, in the form of foundations.

Our specialists in company incorporation in Argentina can offer you specialized assistance in other situations, besides support for opening a foundation. For example, we can help you with all the formalities if you want to set up a company in Argentina. We invite you to discover the services offered by our firm by contacting us and also ask for a free case evaluation. We also provide detailed guidance on how to open a foundation in Buenos Aires.