stiftelse

English translation: foundation

GLOSSARY ENTRY (DERIVED FROM QUESTION BELOW)
Norwegian term or phrase:stiftelse
English translation:foundation
Entered by: Carole Hognestad

13:33 Dec 7, 2012
Norwegian to English translations [PRO]
Bus/Financial - Business/Commerce (general)
Norwegian term or phrase: stiftelse
I have always translated this as "foundation" in English, but the client has queried this since "foundation" refers to a non-profit organisation, whereas in Norwegian "stiftelse" covers both profit-making and non-profit organsiations (apparently). Opinions welcome!
Carole Hognestad
Local time: 02:31
Foundation
Explanation:
A foundation can make a profit - but the profit is not distributed to shareholders or paid out as dividend, it is put back into the organisation.
Selected response from:

Cetra Hastings
Local time: 01:31
Grading comment
Many thanks for all the comments.
4 KudoZ points were awarded for this answer



Summary of answers provided
3 +5Foundation
Cetra Hastings
5Group
Peter Smedskjaer-Stenland
3trust
Paul Lambert
3Institute
Donna Stevens
Summary of reference entries provided
Establishment / institution / organisation
Richard Green

Discussion entries: 3





  

Answers


37 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 3/5Answerer confidence 3/5 peer agreement (net): +5
Foundation


Explanation:
A foundation can make a profit - but the profit is not distributed to shareholders or paid out as dividend, it is put back into the organisation.

Cetra Hastings
Local time: 01:31
Works in field
Native speaker of: English
PRO pts in category: 8
Grading comment
Many thanks for all the comments.

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  rajagopalan sampatkumar
23 mins

agree  Lene Johansen: En stiftelse kan enten være en passiv forvalter av finanskapital eller en næringsdrivende stiftelse. Det viktigste med en stiftelse er at den eier seg selv. Ikke bli for opphengt in non-profit, det betyr kun at det ikke er noen eiere å distribuere til.
55 mins

agree  Per Bergvall
1 hr

agree  Sven Petersson
1 day 1 hr

neutral  Peter Smedskjaer-Stenland: But, the client has been explicit in putting down foundation, so it is off the table, isn't it?
1 day 8 hrs

agree  Charlesp
2 days 15 hrs
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42 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 3/5Answerer confidence 3/5
trust


Explanation:
I can take a stab at it, but since there is not enough context this might be an educated guess as to the subject matter.

While a "trust" is a common law institution, it might still be a good translation depending on what your "stiftelse" actually does. If it is a way of separating assets from the owners in order to protect them from taxation, seizure, bankruptcy, divorce etc, then "trust" might be what you want.

It will all depend on the full context.

Paul Lambert
Sweden
Local time: 02:31
Works in field
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish
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1 hr   confidence: Answerer confidence 3/5Answerer confidence 3/5
Institute


Explanation:
According to Merriam-Webster an institute is "an organization for the promotion of a cause"- This can be either non-profit of for profit. So if this organization was created to promote a cause, this is perhaps the most suitable word.

Example sentence(s):
  • The WLL Institute is devoted to the advancement of professionalism among WLL workers around the world.
Donna Stevens
Norway
Local time: 02:31
Native speaker of: English
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3 hrs   confidence: Answerer confidence 5/5
Group


Explanation:
There is a very slim difference between non-profit and not-for-profit. For the IRS in the U.S., this is reduced to a few paragraphs of tax laws and a check box, differentiating nonprofit organizations and not-for-profit activities like reading a book.

In the business of business, non-profits and not-for-profits have different operating conditions. A non-profit can operate with no capital, never break even and still be a healthy organization. A not-for-profit organization needs to turn over the slightest of gains, a profit, to keep operating.

There is a number of other terms, such as agency and organization, on top of my own answer. The other answers are equally valid in this case, except for 'foundation', if we are talking about an organization registered in the U.S.

In your case, you will need to study the structure of the organization. Is it a single, consolidated organization, or is it a forum for other groups with shared interests?


    Reference: http://www.idealist.org/info/Nonprofits/Basics1
    Reference: http://www.bankersonline.com/compliance/guru2005/gurus_cmp04...
Peter Smedskjaer-Stenland
Faroe Islands
Local time: 01:31
Works in field
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish
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Reference comments


31 mins
Reference: Establishment / institution / organisation

Reference information:
According to my economic dictionary, you could translate this as:
- establishment
- institution
- organisation

I suppose that any of the above would be suitable for a profit-making entity if you want to avoid using 'foundation' as per your client's request.

Richard Green
United Kingdom
Specializes in field
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish
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