Find out how you can establish a nonprofit foundation in El Salvador . Learn the requirements and steps necessary to start your charity project in the country.
Foreign foundations seeking to expand in El Salvador must meet the following requirements:
- Certification from the registration authority in the country of origin.
- Certified copy of the Foundation’s Statutes.
- Certification of the Minutes of the General Assembly approving the opening in El Salvador.
- General Administrative Power of Attorney for the legal representative in El Salvador.
- Payroll of foreign personnel designated in the country.
- Initial balance and certification of resources allocated to project development in El Salvador.
Additional documentation for the Registry of Non-Profit Associations and Foundations
As of June 7, 2022, the Directorate for the Registration of Non-Profit Associations and Foundations has implemented new requirements for the incorporation and registration of these entities. These measures comply with Article 2 of the Anti-Money and Asset Laundering Law and Article 83 of the Instructions for the Prevention, Detection, and Control of Money and Asset Laundering, Terrorist Financing, and the Financing of the Proliferation of Weapons of Mass Destruction of the Financial Investigation Unit.
Required Documentation
All entities registered with the Registry of Non-Profit Associations and Foundations must submit the following additional documentation to their financial information:
- Proof of registration of the entity, officer, or compliance office with the Financial Investigation Unit of the Attorney General’s Office. FIU Registration
- Minutes with the appointment of the regular and alternate Compliance Officer, and each time there is a change in these positions.
Additional Obligations
In addition, they must comply with the obligations defined in Article 84 of the Instructions for the Prevention, Detection, and Control of Money Laundering, Terrorist Financing, and the Financing of the Proliferation of Weapons of Mass Destruction:
- Maintain information about the purpose and objectives of its stated activities, as well as the identity of the persons who own, control, or direct its activities, including senior officials and board members.
- Have annual financial statements that provide detailed breakdowns of income and expenses.
- Adopt appropriate controls to ensure that all funds are fully accounted for and used in accordance with the stated purpose and objectives of the activities.
- Take reasonable steps to confirm the identity, background, and good reputation of your beneficiaries.
- Document the identity of your major donors and respect donor confidentiality to prevent the use of charitable funds to finance terrorist activities.
- Maintain records of domestic and international transactions for a period of at least fifteen years, sufficiently detailed to verify that funds have been received and spent in accordance with the entity’s purpose and objectives.
- Keep records available to the competent authorities.
Compliance with these requirements and obligations is essential to ensuring the transparency and legality of the activities of non-profit associations and foundations in El Salvador.
Make sure you meet these requirements to facilitate the incorporation process. Contact us for more information on establishing your nonprofit foundation in El Salvador.
Start your onboarding process today and make a difference in El Salvador!