Set up a Foundation in Kazakhstan

It is possible to set up a foundation in Kazakhstan, provided that you want to invest in the non-profit sector. The foundation is one of the several entities that are recognized under the non-profit organization umbrella, which regulates the types of structures that can be incorporated here to fulfill a non-commercial, social purpose.

Our specialists in opening companies in Kazakhstan can provide the necessary legal support during the registration of a foundation, obtain the mandatory paperwork, register for taxation (such entities are liable to pay taxes here), complete employment procedures and many other corporate services.

Types of foundations in Kazakhstan

The local law prescribes several types of foundations based on the type of founders and the types of activities they will carry out here. Concerning the founders, foundations can be categorized as:

1. private;
2. public;
3. corporate;
4. state foundations.

Investors who plan to set up a foundation in Kazakhstan in a specific sector should know that, based on their activities, foundations can be registered as:

1. cultural;
2. educational;
3. social;
4. charitable, etc.

How does a foundation gain legal recognition?

Just as the process of company incorporation in Kazakhstan implies that legal entities need to be recognized through their constitutive documents (articles of association, partnership agreement, etc.), the same is necessary for the registration of a foundation, which is also incorporated based on its specific statutory documents.

In order to set up a foundation in Kazakhstan, investors must sign its constitutive documents, which are represented by the charter and the decision to set up a foundation (for foundations set up by individuals) or, if the entity is registered as a corporate foundation, the charter and the memorandum of association. In both situations, the charter should contain provisions such as:

1. the name of the foundation;
2. its address;
3. the purpose for which it is set up;
4. the competence of the governing body;
5. the procedure through which the members can amend the constitutive documents;
6. the conditions through which the foundation can be reorganized/liquidated;
7. its sources, property and the ways to use such assets.

What is the data on NPOs in Kazakhstan?

Kazakhstan is a country that has a large number of non-profit organizations (NPOs), most of which appear to be active entities. According to the Government of Kazakhstan, the following data is available:

• there are 23,335 NPOs in Kazakhstan (as of 2023);
• the total number of active NPOs is 18,204;
• the largest percentage of NPOs, of 20,05%, operates in the field of human rights, followed by entities operating in the field of science, education, sports (15,68%);
• the lowest number of NPOs is observed in the culture and arts sectors (only 1,79%).

Please mind that if you want to set up a foundation in Kazakhstan, the country’s profile is an encouraging one, because locals are used to volunteering and donating to NPOs developing activities in this country. In a recent study, carried out in 2025, Kazakhstan ranked as the 30th most generous economy, in a study analyzing 101 jurisdictions.

According to the findings of the study, Kazaks donate 1,2% of their income to entities involved in charity-related activities.
We mention that, although the registration process does not involve the same steps as when opening a company in Kazakhstan, the founders will still have to complete incorporation steps associated with the standard registration process.

They will have to register for taxation, open a corporate bank account, and, very importantly, abide by the financial and compliance rules and laws available here and this is why we recommend you get in touch with our specialists in company registration in Kazakhstan. You can also contact us if you are interested insetting up a company in Kazakhstan (we can also incorporate in the country’s free zones).