Gjensidigestiftelsen

What Gjensidigestiftelsen does

Gjensidigestiftelsen is a Norwegian financial foundation established in 2007 and headquartered in Oslo. It manages approximately NOK 33 billion in assets as of December 2025 across a globally diversified portfolio spanning equities, fixed income, private equity, and real estate, and additionally holds a controlling 62.24% stake in Gjensidige Forsikring ASA, a publicly listed Norwegian non-life insurance company. The foundation was created in connection with the 2010 IPO of Gjensidige to continue the 200-year mutual-insurance tradition, with governance anchored in customer-elected representation that persists from the pre-IPO mutual structure.

The foundation executes three primary purposes: allocating grants to socially beneficial projects across Norway, maintaining long-term ownership in Gjensidige Forsikring ASA, and passing dividends received from that ownership to Norwegian non-life insurance customers as customer dividends ('kundeutbytte'). Approximately NOK 2.3 billion in customer dividends was distributed in 2022 alone (split roughly equally between private NOK 1.10B and business NOK 1.20B customers) and about NOK 25 billion has been paid out over the past 15 years. Grant-making focuses on three thematic pillars of the 2026-2030 strategy: inclusive communities, good mental and physical health, and emergency preparedness. Distribution is community-led and follows open seasonal calls for proposals (sommerutlysning and hostutlysning) plus thematic programs, with awards evaluated by customer-elected local committees.

Major initiatives include Det store brannløftet (NOK 350 million in 2016 for fire and rescue), Fritidsklubbløftet (NOK 270 million over five years for youth leisure clubs via Ungdom og Fritid), Naturglede (NOK 200 million in 2024-2026 for outdoor activity, access, and nature-as-learning), Sammen redder vi liv (approximately NOK 90 million cumulatively for national first aid), and BUA 2.0 (NOK 7.5 million in 2025 for equipment-lending technology). The foundation has 30-40 employees across administration, distributions, business governance, and investment & ownership, with the seven-person investment team managing the diversified portfolio. It is a PRI signatory, a founding organization of Norsif, and a participant in Climate Action 100+. Strategic partner organizations include the Norwegian Red Cross, Confederation of Sports, Redd Barna, FORF, Brannvernforeningen, Frelsesarmeen, Kirkens Bymisjon, the Norwegian Trekking Association, BUA, Friluftsrådene, and Norsk Friluftsliv.

Name

Gjensidigestiftelsen

Legal name

Gjensidigestiftelsen

Website

https://gjensidigestiftelsen.no

Company type

Private

Founded year

2007

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Norwegian financial foundation managing NOK 33 billion in assets and holding 62.24% of listed insurer Gjensidige Forsikring ASA. It awards grants to Norwegian voluntary organizations across inclusion, health, and emergency preparedness while distributing customer dividends to non-life insurance policyholders.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Philanthropic Foundation Services

NAICS

Grantmaking Foundations (813211), Grantmaking and Giving Services (81321)

SIC

Investment Advice (6282)

akta.pro primary industry

Private Foundations (BPAGAKAA)

akta.pro secondary industry

Grantmaking & Philanthropic Funds (Institutional Donors) (BPADAOAB)

Keywords

• Philanthropic foundation grants
• Financial foundation ownership
• Investment portfolio management
• Charitable grant programs
• Community safety initiatives

Headquarters

HQ city

Oslo

HQ country

Norway

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Others, Operations, Personnel

Revenue model

1. Capital income and investment returns: The foundation manages a globally diversified investment portfolio (approximately NOK 33 billion as of December 2025) across equities, fixed income, private equity, and real estate. The surplus from this portfolio is used to fund distributions for socially beneficial purposes. The portfolio is invested primarily through external mandates and fund investments.
2. Dividend income from Gjensidige Forsikring ASA ownership: The foundation owns 62.24% of Gjensidige Forsikring ASA shares. Dividends received from this ownership stake are partially passed on to Gjensidige's non-life insurance customers as customer dividends (kundeutbytte), with approximately NOK 2.3 billion distributed in 2022. Over 15 years, approximately NOK 25 billion has been paid out in customer dividends.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Gjensidigestiftelsen is Norway's largest financial foundation, distributing grants to socially beneficial projects across voluntary organizations, municipalities, and civil society. It manages a NOK 33 billion globally diversified investment portfolio and holds 62.24% of Gjensidige Forsikring ASA, passing dividends to Norwegian non-life insurance customers as customer dividends (kundeutbytte). Core funding areas until 2030 are inclusive communities, good mental and physical health, and emergency preparedness.

Product overview

Gjensidigestiftelsen is Norway's largest financial foundation, established in 2007, which operates through four main purposes: allocating funds to socially beneficial projects, maintaining long-term ownership in Gjensidige Forsikring ASA, passing on share dividends to customers, and achieving market returns on equity. The foundation's core product offering consists of grant distribution programs (Utdelinger) that fund initiatives across three main focus areas until 2030: Inclusive communities, Good mental and physical health, and Emergency preparedness. Key initiatives include Naturglede (200M NOK nature initiative), Fritidsklubbløftet (270M NOK leisure club initiative), Det store brannløftet (350M NOK fire safety), BUA equipment lending network, and the 'Sammen redder vi liv' first aid initiative. The foundation does not offer technology products but rather funding programs, initiatives, and asset management services.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Grant Distribution Programs (Utdelinger)

Quantifiable outcome

• NOK 25 billion in customer dividends paid to Gjensidige customers over 15 years
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

24 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Frelsesarmeen (The Salvation Army Norway)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFrelsesarmeen received funding as part of the NOK 29 million (later extended with additional allocations) refugee network initiative to provide activity and inclusion programs for refugees. Activities include 'Et håp i bagasjen' vocational guidance program connecting with Fretex work initiatives.
• Norges Røde Kors (Norwegian Red Cross)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNorwegian Red Cross is a key partner in multiple Gjensidigestiftelsen initiatives including the refugee network (rekruttering of volunteers, Norwegian language training, refugee guides), voluntary rescue services (FORF), and the national first aid campaign 'Sammen redder vi liv'. Received NOK 4.5 million for 'Besøkstjeneste i friluft' as part of Naturglede.
• Kirkens Bymisjon (Oslo Church City Mission)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerKirkens Bymisjon operates 'Skattekammeret' (24 equipment lending centers) as part of the BUA network, provides language cafés as social meeting places for refugees, and received funding for nature and outdoor activities for vulnerable groups as part of the Naturglede initiative (NOK 4 million).
• Norges Idrettsforbund og Olympiske og Paralympiske Komité (Norwegian Confederation of Sports)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNorges Idrettsforbund has received multiple grants including support for integrating refugees through sport (distributed over NOK 1 million to 39 different initiatives), and NOK 9 million as part of Naturglede for outdoor activities and nature experiences.
• Norske Kvinners Sanitetsforening (Norwegian Women's Sanitetsforening)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSanitetskvinnene partners on the 'Trygghetstreff for eldre' (safe meetings for elderly) initiative, receiving NOK 10.9 million to organize local gatherings with fire safety information, targeting elderly at higher risk of fire fatalities. Also a partner in the refugee network and Naturglede (NOK 2 million for 'Kløvertur gjennom fire årstider').
• Redd Barna (Save the Children Norway)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRedd Barna received coordination funding for refugee children (coordinator salaries nationwide) and NOK 2.5 million for 'Et naturlig møte' and Friluftslivets år marking as part of Naturglede. Also received NOK 27.7 million for a ten-year partnership with Stine Sofies Stiftelse through Livsløpsprogrammet.
• Norsk Folkehjelp (Norwegian People's Aid)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNorsk Folkehjelp is a key partner in the refugee network (providing psychosocial first aid, 'Folkevenn' volunteers, language training), operates the acute reception at Gardermoen airport, and is part of the voluntary rescue service through FORF. Received funding as part of the NOK 117 million rescue service allocation.
• Brannvernforeningen (Norwegian Fire Protection Association)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerExtended partnership (2026-2027) with Brannvernforeningen to provide children and youth nationwide with fire safety knowledge and safer behaviors. Includes school programs for primary and secondary levels, practical fire prevention learning, and coordination of national activities like Brannvernuka.
• Sammen redder vi liv (National First Aid Initiative)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGjensidigestiftelsen has contributed approximately NOK 90 million to various projects in the initiative launched by the Minister of Health in 2017, with partners including Norges Røde Kors, Norges Speiderforbund, Norsk Folkehjelp, Norges Idrettsforbund, MiRa Ressurssenter, Norske Kvinners Sanitetsforening, and LHL. The goal is to save 200 more lives per year through improved first aid skills.
• Friluftsrådene (Norwegian OutdoorCouncils) / Friluftsrådenes LandsforbundcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFriluftsrådenes Landsforbund is a key partner in Naturglede, receiving NOK 20 million for Friluftslivets år 2025 and managing project selection for the 'God og trygg tilgang til naturen' initiative (105 projects totaling NOK 75 million). Also partners on 'Aktiv i naturen' and uteskole programs.
• BUA (Utstyrssentraler / Equipment Lending Centers)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBUA is a national network of equipment lending centers enabling children and youth to borrow activity equipment for free. Gjensidigestiftelsen has supported BUA for over ten years and contributed NOK 7.5 million in 2025 for BUA 2.0, including a new app, updated website, and self-service BUA-boxes for spontaneous equipment borrowing.
• Ungdom og Fritid (Youth and Leisure)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUngdom og Fritid received funding for the 'Digital fritid for alle' project (digital inclusion in leisure clubs) and leads the Fritidsklubbløftet initiative with Gjensidigestiftelsen contributing NOK 270 million over five years. Three pilot municipalities (Asker, Dovre, Hå) are testing new club models.
• Stine Sofies Stiftelse (Stine Sofie Foundation)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerA record donation of NOK 27,727,278 was given for the Livsløpsprogrammet 2023-2026, covering four sub-projects: national implementation of Stine Sofie Foreldrepakke, Stine Sofie Skolepakke, Regionale familiegrupper, and the Norwegian Triple S research study on violence and abuse against children.
• FORF (Frivillige Organisasjoners Redningsfaglige Forum)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFORF is the umbrella organization for eight voluntary rescue organizations. Gjensidigestiftelsen has allocated NOK 117 million (2020-2024), NOK 54 million (2021), and NOK 33 million (2024) to FORF for equipment renewal, competency building, trial exercises, and innovation in the voluntary rescue service.
• Nordic Safe Cities / Nordic foundations networkminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAt the annual Nordic foundations conference in Copenhagen, Gjensidigestiftelsen presented its Trygg By Norge (Safe Cities Norway) initiative, exploring how foundations can bring together public authorities and voluntary organizations to address complex societal challenges.
• Menon EconomicsminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerMenon Economics was engaged to measure the effectiveness of the 'Trygghetstreff for eldre' initiative, assessing whether participants gain increased fire safety knowledge, whether meetings lead to active behavior change, and whether the voluntary rescue sector observes changed behavior in the target group.
• Agenda Kaupang and Ideas2evidenceminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerResearch firms commissioned to evaluate the 'Noe å glede seg til i sommer' summer activity program, assessing targeting accuracy, contribution to goal achievement, and the initiative's impact on child and youth participation.
• Norsk Friluftsliv (Norwegian Outdoor Association)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNorsk Friluftsliv is the lead organization for Theme Area 3 of Naturglede ('Naturen som læringsarena' / Nature as Learning Arena) with NOK 66 million allocated. Also a key partner in the NArENA research project — the world's most comprehensive research project on outdoor learning in schools.
• PRI (Principles for Responsible Investment)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGjensidigestiftelsen has been a signatory of the PRI since spring 2018. The six principles provide a voluntary framework for incorporating environmental, social, and governance (ESG) issues into investment decision-making and ownership practices.
• Norsif (Norwegian Forum for Sustainable and Responsible Investment)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGjensidigestiftelsen is one of the founding organizations of Norsif, an independent association of asset owners and managers working to promote responsible and sustainable investment in the Norwegian financial industry.
• Climate Action 100+coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAn investor initiative ensuring the world's largest corporate greenhouse gas emitters take necessary climate action. Gjensidigestiftelsen participates as an investor signatory, contributing to one of 12 key global initiatives to tackle climate change.
• Den Norske Turistforening (DNT / Norwegian Trekking Association)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDNT received NOK 9 million as part of Naturglede's 'Aktiv i naturen' program to strengthen activities in nearby nature areas. Also partners on the NArENA outdoor learning research project and uteskole teacher training.
• NORCE and Senter for forskning på sivilsamfunn og frivillig sektorminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerResearch institutions commissioned to study equipment lending centers (utstyrssentraler), producing two research reports on the operations and effects of these centers, funded by Gjensidigestiftelsen's research grants.
• OsloMet (Oslo Metropolitan University)minorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerOsloMet researchers followed the 'Digital fritid for alle' project and are part of the research team for Fritidsklubbløftet, studying the effects of youth recreation clubs on inclusion, well-being, and participation. Also contributes to the NArENA outdoor learning research project.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Novo Nordisk Foundation: Largest Danish foundation and controlling shareholder of Novo Nordisk and Novozymes, with major endowment focused on scientific research, humanitarian and social purposes. Highly comparable to Gjensidigestiftelsen as a Nordic foundation that combines controlling listed-company ownership with a large grantmaking program.
• Carlsberg Foundation: Danish industrial foundation that owns a controlling stake in Carlsberg A/S and operates a large-scale grantmaking program in research, science, and society. Directly comparable business model: controlling listed-company ownership plus philanthropic distribution.

Direct peers

• Realdania: Danish philanthropic association with a substantial endowment focused on the built environment, quality of life, and societal resilience. Comparable as a Nordic foundation that makes large, thematic multi-year grants (similar in structure to Naturglede/Fritidsklubbløftet) funded from a diversified asset base.
• Villum Foundation: Danish foundation originating from the VELUX/Willum Kann Rasmussen enterprises that makes large grants in science, the environment, and social initiatives. Comparable Nordic foundation with a similarly large endowment, grantmaking focus, and historical industrial origin.
• Ferd: Norwegian family-owned investment company that combines active ownership of Norwegian businesses with a social-enterprise grantmaking arm (Ferd Sosiale Entreprenører). Closest Norwegian peer in combining ownership activity with societal investment, though operated as a commercial holding rather than a financial foundation.
• Kavli Foundation: Norwegian foundation originating from the Kavli food group, funding research, culture, and humanitarian causes both in Norway and internationally. Comparable Norwegian grantmaking foundation of similar vintage (founded 1962), though smaller in AUM and without a controlling listed-company stake.
• KLP Foundation (KLP Stiftelsen): Norwegian foundation that is the largest customer-owner of KLP, a major Norwegian mutual insurer/pension company, distributing returns to policyholders. Highly comparable ownership-to-customer model rooted in Norwegian mutual insurance tradition.

Emerging players

• Stine Sofies Stiftelse: Norwegian foundation working to combat violence and abuse against children, recipient of a NOK 27.7M Livsløpsprogrammet grant from Gjensidigestiftelsen. Closely comparable Norwegian grantmaking foundation focused on child welfare but lacks the controlling listed-company ownership dimension.

Others

• Save the Children Norway (Redd Barna): Major Norwegian child-rights NGO and a core grantee of Gjensidigestiftelsen (receiving multi-million NOK grants including Livsløpsprogrammet funding). Comparable not as a peer foundation but as the type of established Norwegian voluntary organization the foundation funds.
• Norwegian Red Cross (Norges Røde Kors): Norwegian humanitarian organization partnering with Gjensidigestiftelsen across refugee programs, voluntary rescue (FORF), and the 'Sammen redder vi liv' first-aid initiative. Comparable as one of the foundation's largest strategic grantees in emergency preparedness and health.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/gjensidigestift
• Facebookfacebook.com/gjensidigestiftelsen
• Instagraminstagram.com/gjensidigestiftelsen
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/gjensidigestiftelsen

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles10 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Gjensidigestiftelsen