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Charities in Latvia

Explore Latvia's official Register of Associations and Foundations through GiveRadar. A listing proves legal registration as a biedrība or nodibinājums and provides an official registration number. It does not prove charitable purpose, public benefit, quality or impact because this general register includes associations and foundations of many kinds.

22,456
Registered associations
100%
registration number on file
Arts & Culture
Largest cause area
1 per 82
Residents per organization
Matt Timmermans Reviewed by Matt Timmermans Founder of GiveRadar · Checked August 21, 2026
Where this data comes from  ·  How current it is
The directory

All organizations in Latvia

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The register at a glance

How many associations and foundations are registered in Latvia?

Latvia has 22,456 registered associations and foundations in GiveRadar. An official registration number is available for 22,454 (100%). Only 1,372 (6.1%) hold SLO public benefit status, so most organizations in this general register have not received that separate public benefit vetting.

Whole-register totals
22,456 Registered associations in the register
6.1% Hold public benefit status (SLO) 1,372 of them, granted by the State Revenue Service (VID)
1 per 82 Residents per organization Against a population of 1,847,785 (World Bank, 2025)
48.1/100 Average integrity assessment A measure of disclosure, not impact or effectiveness

The median integrity assessment is 48.1 out of 100, measuring available disclosure rather than quality, impact or effectiveness. Inclusion in the official register establishes legal status as a biedrība or nodibinājums, not charitable purpose or public benefit.

By category

Which causes are most common among Latvia's associations?

Latvia's broad other group is the largest cause classification at about 72%. Arts and culture is the largest identifiable named category with 1,370 organizations, followed by education with 928, community development with 714, social services with 676, sports and recreation with 577, health with 428 and environment with 389.

01 Arts & Culture 1,370 6% 02 Education 928 4% 03 Community Development 714 3% 04 Social Services 676 3% 05 Sports & Recreation 577 3% 06 Health 428 2% 07 Environment 389 2% 08 Youth Development 326 1% 09 Science & Technology 274 1% 10 International 181 1% 11 Human Services 135 1% 12 Animal Welfare 131 1% 13 Religion 122 1%
Accreditations

How many Latvian organizations hold SLO public benefit status?

Latvia has 1,372 organizations (6.1%) with SLO public benefit status. This separate status, known as sabiedriskā labuma organizācija, is granted by the Valsts ieņēmumu dienests after reviewing whether an organization's activity provides significant public benefit.

Sabiedriska labuma organizacija (SLO) status, granted by the State Revenue Service under the Public Benefit Organisation Law after review that the organization's activity provides significant public benefit. It unlocks donor tax relief and is a genuinely vetted status, distinct from mere registration; only a minority hold it.

SLO is the vetted subset within the general Register of Associations and Foundations. It is distinct from registration as a biedrība or nodibinājums and gives qualifying organizations and donors access to tax relief under Latvian law, alongside continuing restrictions and reporting obligations.

1,372 public benefit status (SLO) 6.1% of every charity on this page holds it. Issued by the State Revenue Service (VID)
Governance

How many Latvian organizations disclose boards or officers?

Latvia has board or officer data on file for 21,819 organizations (97.2%). The official register records current officials, providing a strong legal identity and governance trail across most associations and foundations in GiveRadar.

21,819 Registered associations with a board on record 97.2% of the register
55,464 Named people on those boards 2.5 per organization on average

GiveRadar holds 55,464 board and officer records, about 2.5 people per organization. These records show who serves as an official, but the register does not publish compensation and the presence of a board record is not an assessment of governance quality.

Location of nonprofits in Latvia

Where are Latvia's associations and foundations based?

Latvia's associations and foundations are concentrated in the Rīga planning region, with 12,998 organizations, followed by Kurzeme with 2,413, Vidzeme with 1,466, Zemgale with 1,409 and Latgale with 1,160. About 87% place onto one of the five planning regions, rolled up from each organization's registered city.

Organization density
Each planning region shaded by registered organizations. Boundaries: geoBoundaries (CC BY 4.0), dissolved to planning regions.

Leading cities for nonprofits and associations

Rīga leads with 9,815 organizations, followed by Liepāja with 827, Jūrmala with 570, Daugavpils with 556, Jelgava with 550 and Valmiera with 308. A registered city identifies the organization's legal location, not every community or place where it works.

01 Rīga 9,815 organizations 02 Liepāja 827 organizations 03 Jūrmala 570 organizations 04 Daugavpils 556 organizations 05 Jelgava 550 organizations 06 Cēsis 309 organizations 07 Valmiera 308 organizations 08 Sigulda 302 organizations 09 Ogre 295 organizations 10 Ventspils 253 organizations

Registered organizations by planning region

Rīga 12,998 66.8%
Kurzeme 2,413 12.4%
Vidzeme 1,466 7.5%
Zemgale 1,409 7.2%
Latgale 1,160 6%

Latvia's register records a city or town, not a region, so region is derived by rolling each registered city up to one of the five planning regions (Rīga, Kurzeme, Zemgale, Vidzeme and Latgale). About 87% place onto a region; the smallest towns are left unmapped.

Data sources

How many Latvian records come from the official register?

Latvia's official Register of Associations and Foundations supplies 22,456 records to GiveRadar. It establishes legal registration as a biedrība or nodibinājums and provides official identity details. Because it is a general register for associations and foundations, it does not determine charitable purpose.

Register of Associations and Foundations ur.gov.lv ↗
The official register of Latvian associations (biedribas) and foundations (nodibinajumi), part of the Enterprise Register of Latvia; the source of this page. It holds every registered association and foundation, not only charities.
22,456 records 100% coverage
State Revenue Service (VID) - public benefit organisations vid.gov.lv ↗
The tax authority that grants and lists sabiedriska labuma organizacija (SLO) public-benefit status, the vetted subset that unlocks donor tax relief.
One GiveRadar profile
22,456
Share of profiles carrying each field
Registration ID 100%
Financial return 0%
Expense breakdown 0%
Website 0%
Contact email 0%
Freshness

How current is GiveRadar's Latvia data?

February 1, 2026 Register last refreshed Latvia's 22,456 registered association and foundation records can change between GiveRadar reviews, including legal names, status, addresses and officials.
August 21, 2026 This page last reviewed When the figures, wording and sources on this page were last checked against the register.

GiveRadar refreshes Latvian records through periodic passes over the official Register of Associations and Foundations and available public information. Confirm an organization's current registration number, legal status and officials in the Enterprise Register. For public benefit claims or donation tax relief, also confirm active SLO status in the VID public list.

Learn more with our country guide

Giving in Latvia

How the charity sector is regulated, what kinds of nonprofits operate, and how to evaluate them before you give.

How many registered associations and foundations are there in Latvia, and where does this data come from?

GiveRadar lists 22,456 registered associations and foundations in Latvia. The data comes from the official Register of Associations and Foundations maintained by the Enterprise Register of Latvia. It is a government record of legally registered organisations, including professional bodies, cultural groups, sports clubs, social organisations and other associations and foundations.

Each organisation carries an official registration number. The Enterprise Register's public information service can also show its legal name, current status, officials and legal address. GiveRadar uses this official register data for discovery and research, without treating registration as evidence of charitable impact.

What is a biedrība and a nodibinājums, and what does registration mean?

A biedrība is a voluntary association pursuing a non-profit objective stated in its statutes. A nodibinājums, sometimes called a fonds, is property dedicated to a non-profit objective defined by its founder. These legal forms are governed by the official Associations and Foundations Law.

An association or foundation acquires legal personality when entered in the register. Registration establishes its legal identity and provides a registration number. It does not show that the organisation has been assessed for effectiveness, responsible management or suitability for a particular donation.

Is the Register of Associations and Foundations a charity register?

No. The Register of Associations and Foundations is not a charity register. It registers all Latvian associations and foundations, including professional, cultural, sporting, recreational, humanitarian and social organisations. The scope is reflected in Latvia's official classification regulations.

Registration confirms legal status, not charitable purpose or public-benefit approval. A GiveRadar listing is therefore a research aid, not charitable accreditation, a recommendation to donate or verification of impact.

What is public benefit organisation (SLO) status, and are donations tax deductible?

Sabiedriskā labuma organizācija, abbreviated SLO, is a separate public-benefit status. The Valsts ieņēmumu dienests guidance explains that qualifying activities must provide significant benefit to society or part of it. Merely registering as a biedrība or nodibinājums does not create SLO status.

The Valsts ieņēmumu dienests, or VID, decides applications through the assessment process established by the Public Benefit Organisation Law. The process considers the organisation's statutes, activities, reporting and compliance. SLO status also brings continuing restrictions and reporting duties concerning donations, property and income.

Qualifying donations to an organisation holding SLO status may receive Latvian tax relief. Eligibility depends on the recipient's status, the donation date, the donor's circumstances and supporting records. Donors should consult the current VID tax-relief guidance before claiming a deduction or other relief.

How do you check a Latvian association before you donate?

Check legal registration, public-benefit status and stated purpose separately. No single register search proves impact or guarantees how a donation will be used.

How can you donate to charities and causes in Latvia?

Use GiveRadar's Latvia directory to discover associations and foundations by cause or city, including Rīga. Review the organisation's purpose and disclosures, then confirm its identity through the official register. Donate only through a payment channel published by the organisation itself.

If tax treatment matters, confirm that the recipient holds active SLO status when you donate and retain the donation agreement, receipt and payment evidence. Ask how the gift will be used before sending money. See GiveRadar's methodology and donor guidance for further research steps.

FAQ

Common questions

How many associations and foundations are in Latvia?

GiveRadar lists 22,456 registered associations and foundations in Latvia. It covers biedrības and nodibinājumi, including sports, cultural, professional, hobby, social and humanitarian organizations. Inclusion confirms legal registration, but it does not establish charitable purpose, quality or public benefit status.

Is Latvia's Register of Associations and Foundations a charity register?

No, Latvia's Register of Associations and Foundations is not a charity register. It is the legal register for every biedrība and nodibinājums, including clubs and professional bodies. Registration establishes legal personality, while separate SLO status identifies organizations vetted for public benefit.

What is SLO public benefit status in Latvia?

SLO public benefit status in Latvia is a separate status granted by VID after review. It identifies a sabiedriskā labuma organizācija whose work provides significant public benefit. Unlike registration as a biedrība or nodibinājums, SLO status is vetted and carries continuing obligations.

Are donations tax deductible in Latvia?

Donations in Latvia may qualify for tax relief when the recipient holds SLO public benefit status. Individual and corporate relief follows different rules and limits, so registration as a biedrība or nodibinājums alone is insufficient. Confirm eligibility, active SLO status and documentation with VID.

What is the difference between a biedrība and a nodibinājums?

A biedrība is a voluntary Latvian association, while a nodibinājums is property dedicated to a founder defined nonprofit objective. Both gain legal personality through the official register. The distinction concerns legal form, and neither term alone proves public benefit, donation eligibility, quality or impact.

How can I verify a Latvian nonprofit or association?

Verify a Latvian nonprofit or association by matching its name and registration number in the Enterprise Register. Check its legal status, officials and address, then search the VID SLO list with the same number. Confirm public benefit status was active when donating and retain payment evidence.

Which causes are most common among Latvian associations?

Latvia's broad other group is the most common cause classification, while arts and culture is the largest identifiable named category with 1,370 organizations. Education, community development and social services follow. This mix reflects a general register, not a directory limited to charitable organizations.

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