A nonprofit in Colombia is an Entidad Sin Animo de Lucro, an ESAL, usually a fundacion, a corporacion or an asociacion. Once registered with the Camara de Comercio and holding a RUT with a NIT, the entity opens a peso account with a traditional bank, and may add a cross border platform when it receives funds from abroad.
Suits Nonprofits best
A traditional peso bank account for a registered ESAL, with Payoneer or Wise added for international donations and grants.
Typical monthly fee
From no monthly fee at cross border platforms to a monthly handling fee, the cuota de manejo, at traditional banks, as of 28 February 2026.
Foreign funds position
Donations and grants in foreign currency are subject to the Colombian exchange regime and are channeled through an intermediary or a registered cuenta de compensacion. Verify with the provider.
Providers that fit
Several. Traditional banks accept registered ESAL entities in Colombia.
Fees and features as of 28 February 2026Last reviewed 28 February 2026
General information, not financial, legal, or tax advice. Verify current terms and eligibility with the provider before applying.
A Colombian nonprofit takes the form of an ESAL, an Entidad Sin Animo de Lucro, most often a fundacion, a corporacion or an asociacion. It is created by an acta de constitucion with statutes, registered with the Camara de Comercio, and then obtains a RUT with a NIT from the DIAN. With those in hand the entity opens a peso business account at a traditional bank such as Bancolombia, BBVA Colombia or Davivienda, and may add Payoneer or Wise to receive donations from abroad. Figures below are shown as of 28 February 2026, so confirm current terms with the provider.
What Nonprofits in Colombia need from a business account
A registered ESAL needs an account in the name of the entity that recognises its nonprofit form, supports the legal representative and any additional signatories named in the statutes, and provides the everyday services it uses such as transfers, payroll and cards. Banks ask for the certificate of existence and legal representation from the Camara de Comercio, the acta de constitucion and statutes, the RUT, the list of members or founders, and identification for the legal representative, and they apply SARLAFT checks. Where the organisation receives grants or donations from abroad, the foreign currency is channeled through an intermediary of the exchange market or a registered cuenta de compensacion with a declaracion de cambio, and a cross border platform can complement this. Confirm the current requirements with the provider, as of 28 February 2026.
B
Bancolombia
Peso accounts for registered ESAL entities, with branch and app access, payroll and cards. Monthly handling fee applies.
Best for
Registered foundations and associations
Monthly fee
Monthly handling fee, varies by package
B
BBVA Colombia
Peso business account for registered entities, with online and branch access. Monthly handling fee applies.
These providers accept business customers in Colombia. Fees and eligibility shown as of 28 February 2026. Confirm current terms with the provider before applying.
Questions about banking for Nonprofits in Colombia
What legal form does a nonprofit use in Colombia?
Colombia uses the Entidad Sin Animo de Lucro, the ESAL. The common forms are the fundacion, the corporacion and the asociacion. The entity is registered with the Camara de Comercio and obtains a RUT with a NIT from the DIAN. The right form depends on your purpose and governance, so verify with a qualified adviser. This is general information, not advice.
What documents does a nonprofit need to open a bank account in Colombia?
Banks typically ask for the certificate of existence and legal representation from the Camara de Comercio dated within the last 30 days, the acta de constitucion and the statutes, the RUT showing the NIT, the list of members or founders, and identification for the legal representative. Confirm the current list with the provider, as of 28 February 2026.
Can a nonprofit in Colombia receive donations from abroad?
Yes. Foreign currency donations are subject to the Colombian exchange regime, so inbound funds are usually channeled through an intermediary of the exchange market or a registered cuenta de compensacion, with a declaracion de cambio. Cross border platforms such as Payoneer and Wise can also receive funds for payout to a peso account. Confirm the current rules with the provider and a qualified adviser.
Are nonprofit accounts in Colombia free of fees?
Not automatically. Traditional banks may charge a monthly handling fee, the cuota de manejo, and the financial transactions tax known as the four per thousand can apply to withdrawals and transfers above the exempt threshold. Some banks offer reduced terms to ESAL entities. Confirm the current figures and any exemptions with the provider, as of 28 February 2026.
Fees, features, and eligibility change and vary by region. This page was last reviewed on 28 February 2026. Confirm current terms with the provider before applying.