Registering a Charitable Fund in Ukraine: A Step-by-Step Guide

Charitable giving has been a long-standing tradition in Ukraine, with a rich history of community-led initiatives to support those in need. In recent years, Ukraine has seen a rise in the number of charitable organizations and initiatives, with individuals and groups looking to make a positive impact in their communities. If you're interested in starting a charitable fund in Ukraine, this step-by-step guide will help you navigate the registration process.

If you just want someone with experience to register a charitable foundation for you in Ukraine - just contact our specialists.

Step 1: Define Your Charitable Purpose

The first step in starting a charitable fund in Ukraine is to define your charitable purpose. This is the cause or issue that your fund will address. In Ukraine, charitable purposes can include social welfare, healthcare, education, culture, science, and environmental protection, among others. It's important to have a clear and specific purpose to guide your efforts and ensure that you stay focused on your mission.

Step 2: Choose Your Legal Form

In Ukraine, charitable funds can be registered as either non-governmental organizations (NGOs) or charitable foundations. NGOs are associations of individuals or legal entities who work towards a common charitable goal. Charitable foundations, on the other hand, are legal entities that are established with a specific charitable purpose and have their own property.

The legal form you choose will depend on your specific circumstances and goals. NGOs are generally easier and cheaper to establish, but charitable foundations provide more legal protection for your organization's assets.

Step 3: Register Your Organization

To register your charitable fund in Ukraine, you'll need to prepare and submit a set of documents to the Ministry of Justice. These documents include:

• An application for registration
• A copy of the organization's charter
• A list of founders
• A list of members of the governing body
• Minutes from the founding meeting
• Proof of payment of the state registration fee

The registration process can take up to two months, but it's important to ensure that all the documents are complete and accurate to avoid any delays.

Step 4: Register with the Tax Authorities

Once your charitable fund is registered, you'll need to register with the tax authorities to obtain a tax identification number (TIN) and register for tax purposes. This will allow your organization to receive donations and issue tax receipts to donors.

Step 5: Open a Bank Account

To manage your organization's finances, you'll need to open a bank account in Ukraine. This account will be used to receive donations, pay expenses, and manage your organization's funds.

With your charitable fund registered and all the necessary paperwork in place, you can start your charitable activities. This can include fundraising, organizing events, and providing support to those in need.

Related article: What taxes does a charitable foundation pay in Ukraine? Accountant for a charitable foundation

Documents for the registration and what documents are needed to start the charitable activities

Documents for Registration:

In addition to the documents mentioned in Step 3 of the guide, there are a few additional documents that may be required for registration, depending on the legal form you choose:

• For NGOs, you'll need to provide a copy of the minutes from the general meeting where the decision to create the organization was made.
• For charitable foundations, you'll need to provide a document that proves the ownership of the organization's property (this can be a certificate of ownership or a lease agreement).

It's important to note that all documents must be in Ukrainian, and any documents in a foreign language must be translated into Ukrainian by a certified translator.

Documents for Starting Charitable Activities:

Once your charitable fund is registered, you'll need to obtain the necessary approvals and permits to start your charitable activities. These may include:

• A permit from the local authorities for any events or public gatherings you plan to organize.
• A license from the Ministry of Social Policy to provide social services or work with vulnerable groups.
• Any necessary permits or certifications for specific types of charitable activities, such as medical or environmental initiatives.

It's important to research and understand the specific requirements and regulations for the type of charitable activities you plan to undertake, and to obtain all necessary approvals and permits before beginning any activities.

Related article: I registered a charitable foundation in Ukraine - what next? How to work with charitable help?

What is the procedure of registration of thе charitable fund in Ukraine?

Step 1: Draft Your Charter

The first step in the registration process is to draft a charter for your charitable fund. The charter should outline the goals and objectives of your organization, the rules and procedures for governing the organization, and the rights and responsibilities of its members. The charter must also include the name of the organization and its legal form (either NGO or charitable foundation).

Step 2: Gather Required Documents

Once you have drafted your charter, you will need to gather the required documents for registration, which include:

• The charter of the organization, signed by all founding members
• A list of founding members, including their full names, addresses, and passport details
• Minutes from the founding meeting, which should include the decision to establish the organization, the election of the governing body, and the approval of the charter
• A copy of the founder's passport or other identification document
• Proof of payment of the state registration fee

Step 3: Submit Your Application

Once you have all of the required documents, you can submit your application for registration to the Ministry of Justice. The application should include:

• A cover letter requesting registration of the organization
• The charter of the organization, signed by all founding members
• A list of founding members, including their full names, addresses, and passport details
• Minutes from the founding meeting
• A copy of the founder's passport or other identification document
• Proof of payment of the state registration fee

Step 4: Await Approval

After submitting your application, you will need to wait for approval from the Ministry of Justice. The registration process can take up to two months, although the exact timeline can vary depending on the workload of the authorities.

Step 5: Register with the Tax Authorities

Once your organization is registered with the Ministry of Justice, you will need to register with the tax authorities to obtain a tax identification number (TIN) and register for tax purposes. This will allow your organization to receive donations and issue tax receipts to donors.

All this procedure can be completed quickly and easily with our specialists. Moreover, we will help not only to register a charitable foundation, but also help with the start of its activities in Ukraine - we will create the necessary package of documents for the start and prepare a reporting system for you.

The cost of registering a charitable foundation in Ukraine is here.