RAG-Stiftung
RAG-Stiftung is a German foundation established in 2007 that permanently finances post-mining perpetual obligations — pit water management, polder measures, and groundwater purification — in former German hard coal mining regions, funded by dividends from strategic equity holdings in Evonik, Vivawest, and RSBG SE, plus diversified global capital investments.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2007
- HeadquartersEssen, Germany
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What RAG-Stiftung does
RAG-Stiftung is a private foundation (Stiftung bürgerlichen Rechts) established in June 2007 under German civil law and headquartered at the Zollverein UNESCO World Heritage Site in Essen, Germany. Its statutory mission is to permanently finance the perpetual obligations (Ewigkeitsaufgaben) of German hard coal mining, which ended in December 2018. These obligations include pit water management, polder measures, and groundwater purification across former mining regions in the Ruhr area, Saarland, and Ibbenbüren, with annual costs estimated at EUR 250-300 million. The foundation's principal beneficiaries are the German public sector, which is permanently relieved of these environmental liabilities, and approximately 300,000 residents of former mining regions served through Vivawest GmbH housing.
The foundation's revenue model is based on dividend income from strategic equity holdings — primarily its 44% stake in Evonik Industries AG (global specialty chemicals), 58% stake in Vivawest GmbH (North Rhine-Westphalia housing with ~120,000 apartments), and wholly-owned RSBG SE (global SME investment holding company) — combined with returns from a globally diversified capital investment portfolio managed through vehicles including RAGS-FundMaster (with Deka Investment), RAG-S Private Equity, RAG-S Innovation (private debt), and Maxburg Beteiligungen. Operational execution of perpetual obligations is carried out by wholly-owned RAG Aktiengesellschaft, which annually pumps 70 million cubic metres of pit water in the Ruhr region, 17 million cubic metres in Saarland, and purifies 993,000 cubic metres of groundwater across 22 treatment plants. The foundation raises capital through exchangeable bond issuances (most recently EUR 375 million in June 2026) and funds education, science, and culture initiatives in former mining regions through its innovation center BRYCK and partnerships with organizations including the Roland Berger Stiftung, Universitätsallianz Ruhr, and the Hydrogen Start-up Hub.
The foundation employs 11-50 staff and is governed by a Board of Executives (Vorstand) — chaired by Bernd Tönjes with Bärbel Bergerhoff-Wodopia and CFO Kerstin Terhardt — and a Board of Trustees (Kuratorium) chaired by former Minister President of North Rhine-Westphalia Armin Laschet. As of 2026, leadership transitioned with Kerstin Terhardt succeeding Dr. Jürgen Rupp as CFO in September 2025, and the foundation has continued its capital markets activity with the EUR 375 million exchangeable bond placement in June 2026. The foundation has no conventional commercial product offering, no parent company, and operates under the supervision of the Bezirksregierung Düsseldorf.
RAG-Stiftung firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- RAG-Stiftung
- Legal name
- RAG-Stiftung
- Website
- https://rag-stiftung.de
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2007
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- RAG-Stiftung is a German foundation established in 2007 that permanently finances post-mining perpetual obligations — pit water management, polder measures, and groundwater purification — in former German hard coal mining regions, funded by dividends from strategic equity holdings in Evonik, Vivawest, and RSBG SE, plus diversified global capital investments.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
RAG-Stiftung industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Foundation Perpetual Obligation Financing
- NAICS
- Management of Companies and Enterprises (551)
- SIC
- Investors, Nec (6799)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Environmental & Climate Grantmaking Foundations (BPAGAKAM)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Water & Waste / Circular Economy Funds (FSANAJAF), Impact Investing & Social Finance (Funds, CDFIs, Microfinance) (BPAGALAA), Environmental & Resource Efficiency Funds (Water, Waste, Recycling, Efficiency) (FSANAEAE), Brownfield Expansions & Sustaining Capital Projects (Debottlenecking, Upgrades) (IMAKAOAJ), Environmental Liabilities, Reserves & Financial Assurance (Cost-Cap, Impairment Support) (EUAHAEAI)
Keywords
Where RAG-Stiftung is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Essen
- HQ country
- Germany
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices2 records
Markets served
RAG-Stiftung business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Operations, Infrastructure, Personnel, Others
Revenue model
- Dividend Income from Equity Holdings: RAG-Stiftung generates current income primarily from dividends paid by its major equity holdings, particularly Evonik Industries AG (44% stake), Vivawest GmbH (58% stake including RAG AG shares), and RSBG SE (wholly owned). Equity investments and capital investments each contribute approximately 50% to current income.
- Returns on Diversified Capital Investments: Broadly diversified global capital investments in equities, bonds, funds, SME investments, and real estate generate returns. Managed through vehicles including RAGS-FundMaster (special fund managed by Deka Investment), RAG-S Private Equity, RAG-S Innovation (private debt), RAGS-Immo IVG (real estate managed by PATRIZIA), Maxburg Beteiligungen, and direct investments. The long-term investment horizon supports continuous assessment of opportunity and risk potential.
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels1 record
Marketing channels6 records
RAG-Stiftung product offering
Product offeringCore offering
RAG-Stiftung is a German private foundation that permanently finances the perpetual obligations (Ewigkeitsaufgaben) arising from German hard coal mining, including pit water management, polder measures, and groundwater purification in the former coal mining regions of Ruhr, Saar, and Ibbenbüren. The foundation funds these obligations through diversified capital investments and dividend income from strategic equity stakes in operating companies, primarily Evonik Industries AG (44%), Vivawest GmbH (58%), and wholly-owned subsidiaries RAG Aktiengesellschaft and RSBG SE.
Product overview
RAG-Stiftung is a German foundation established in 2007 to finance perpetual obligations (Ewigkeitsaufgaben) from German hard coal mining. The organization does not offer traditional technology products but provides investment management services through vehicles such as RAGS-FundMaster, RAG-S Private Equity, RAG-S Innovation (RSI), and RSBG SE. Core operations include managing pit water management, polder measures, and groundwater purification across Ruhr, Saar, and Ibbenbüren regions. RAG-Stiftung also funds education, science, and cultural initiatives in former mining regions, operating innovation center BRYCK and holding equity stakes in Evonik Industries AG (44%) and Vivawest GmbH (58%).
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Ewigkeitsaufgaben Management (Perpetual Obligations Management) Permanent financing and management of perpetual obligations (Ewigkeitsaufgaben) from German hard coal mining, including pit water management, polder measures, and groundwater purification in former coal mining regions at Ruhr, Saar, and Ibbenbüren. Operational execution is performed by wholly-owned subsidiary RAG Aktiengesellschaft.
- Bildungsförderung (Education Funding) Support for education and equal opportunities in former mining regions, including teacher scholarships (Lehramtsstipendium Ruhr supporting 210 students), student programs, school initiatives, and partnerships with organizations such as Roland Berger Stiftung and Quinoa Bildung.
- Wissenschaftsförderung (Science Funding) Promotion of research including the Forschungszentrum Nachbergbau (Post-Mining Research Centre) at Technische Hochschule Georg Agricola for post-mining water management and the MuSE Multisensor-Geomonitoring project to optimize post-mining water management.
- Kulturförderung (Culture Funding) Preservation of mining heritage, traditions, and cultural events in former coal mining regions, including joint acquisition of the Essen Colosseum theatre with E.ON and cooperation with LWL on the Stalag 326 memorial site.
- BRYCK Innovation Center Innovation and startup centre in Essen initiated by RAG-Stiftung, representing the transformation of former mining sites. BRYCK, together with Gründerfonds Ruhr, launched a EUR 10 million fund for Germany's tech future (April 2025), and cooperates with Universitätsallianz Ruhr to promote university startups.
Quantifiable outcome
- EUR 250–300 million in annual perpetual obligation costs permanently covered
- +6 more outcomes
Companies that use RAG-Stiftung
Customer profileNamed customers4 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
RAG-Stiftung technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature1 record
RAG-Stiftung partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Ten partnerships are on record, tiered major, minor and core.
- BRYCK / Gründerfonds RuhrmajorBRYCK is an innovation and startup centre in Essen initiated by RAG-Stiftung, representing the transformation of former mining sites. In April 2025, BRYCK, the Gründerfonds Ruhr, and RAG-Stiftung jointly launched a EUR 10 million fund for Germany's tech future. BRYCK also started a cooperation with the Universitätsallianz Ruhr to promote university startups.
- Universitätsallianz RuhrmajorBRYCK (initiated by RAG-Stiftung) started a cooperation with the Universitätsallianz Ruhr in September 2023 to promote more startups at universities in the Ruhr region.
- Quinoa BildungminorRAG-Stiftung and Quinoa Bildung partnered to promote more educational equality, supporting the first Quinoa-School in the Ruhr region (opened September 2022).
- United Robotics GroupminorRAG-Stiftung and United Robotics Group secured areas in Bochum's innovation quarter MARK 51°7 for robotics and technology development, supporting the structural transformation of the Ruhr region.
- LWL (Landschaftsverband Westfalen-Lippe)minorRAG-Stiftung and LWL cooperated on the expansion of the Stalag 326 memorial site (a WWII prisoner-of-war camp memorial).
- Hydrogen Start-up Hub (Essen)majorThe state of North Rhine-Westphalia is funding the establishment of a Hydrogen Start-up Hub in Essen with EUR 4.5 million. RAG-Stiftung is a shareholder in the hub. The hub aims to position the Ruhr region as a leader in H2 transformation and hydrogen startups.
- Roland Berger StiftungmajorRAG-Stiftung and Roland Berger Stiftung have partnered for 10 years (as of 2023) to promote educational equality (Chancengerechtigkeit) in the Ruhr region, through joint programmes and initiatives.
- E.ONminorRAG-Stiftung acquired the Essen Colosseum theatre jointly with E.ON from Stage Entertainment in February 2020. The Colosseum is a major entertainment venue in the Ruhr region.
- RAG AktiengesellschaftcoreRAG Aktiengesellschaft is a wholly owned subsidiary of RAG-Stiftung. Its mission is to operationally manage and develop the consequences of mining — including perpetual obligations (pit water management, polder measures, groundwater purification), renaturation liabilities, settlement of mining-related damage claims, and environmentally compatible rehabilitation of mining facilities. RAG AG aims for a climate-neutral energy footprint by 2030.
- Forschungszentrum Nachbergbau (TH Georg Agricola)majorThe Forschungszentrum Nachbergbau (Post-Mining Research Centre) at Technische Hochschule Georg Agricola was initiated by RAG-Stiftung. It conducts internationally recognized research on pit water, geo-resources, and ecology in post-mining contexts. The foundation funds this research to develop and optimise water management solutions in former mining regions.
Scale indicators14 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights4 records
RAG-Stiftung competitors and assessment
Company assessmentEmerging players
- Allianz Stiftung für Sicherheit und Kultur: Corporate foundation of Allianz SE funding safety, civil society, and culture. Comparable as a German corporate-linked foundation with similar funding categories, though smaller and focused on different thematic priorities than RAG-Stiftung's mining and environmental obligations.
Direct peers
- NRW-Stiftung: Major regional foundation for North Rhine-Westphalia funding nature conservation, cultural heritage, and education. Comparable as a German regional foundation with similar funding programmes (Bildung, Wissenschaft, Kultur) operating in the same NRW footprint as RAG-Stiftung's Vivawest and education initiatives.
- Deutsche Bundesstiftung Umwelt (DBU): Largest environmental foundation in Germany with ~EUR 2B endowment funding environmental protection, R&D, and conservation projects. Most directly comparable as a German environmental foundation of similar scale and mission, though it lacks RAG-Stiftung's mining-specific perpetual obligation mandate.
Broad incumbents
- KfW Group: German state-owned development bank that finances environmental, infrastructure, and SME programs with multi-billion-euro annual volumes. Comparable as a mission-driven, German public-interest financial institution with overlapping environmental funding focus, but KfW is a for-profit bank with much broader scope.
- VolkswagenStiftung: Major German corporate foundation with ~EUR 4.5B in assets funding science, technology, and humanities. Comparable in scale and as a German corporate-linked foundation with strong education and science funding programmes that overlap with RAG-Stiftung's secondary mission.
- Bertelsmann Stiftung: One of Germany's largest private operating foundations, headquartered in Gütersloh, with EUR 1B+ in assets funding education, social, and economic programmes. Comparable as a large German corporate-linked foundation with similar funding themes, though without mining-specific perpetual obligations.
- Körber-Stiftung: Large Hamburg-based German foundation funding science, education, and international dialogue. Comparable as a major German foundation with similar secondary mission focus (Bildung, Wissenschaft) and comparable asset base, though without mining or perpetual environmental obligations.
Regional players
- NRW.BANK: State development bank of North Rhine-Westphalia supporting housing, infrastructure, and municipal finance. Comparable as an NRW-anchored public-interest financial institution supporting structural transformation in the same region where RAG-Stiftung's holdings (Vivawest) and perpetual obligations are concentrated.
Market position
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
RAG-Stiftung social profiles
Digital presenceRAG-Stiftung financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
RAG-Stiftung leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles5 records
RAG-Stiftung subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries7 records
RAG-Stiftung funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
RAG-Stiftung M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A1 record
Investments6 records
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about RAG-Stiftung
What does RAG-Stiftung do?
RAG-Stiftung is a German private foundation that permanently finances the perpetual obligations (Ewigkeitsaufgaben) arising from German hard coal mining, including pit water management, polder measures, and groundwater purification in the former coal mining regions of Ruhr, Saar, and Ibbenbüren. The foundation funds these obligations through diversified capital investments and dividend income from strategic equity stakes in operating companies, primarily Evonik Industries AG (44%), Vivawest GmbH (58%), and wholly-owned subsidiaries RAG Aktiengesellschaft and RSBG SE.
Is RAG-Stiftung a public or private company?
RAG-Stiftung is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was RAG-Stiftung founded?
RAG-Stiftung was founded in 2007. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is RAG-Stiftung based?
RAG-Stiftung is headquartered in Essen, Germany, in the Europe region.
How does RAG-Stiftung make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Dividend Income from Equity Holdings are the primary driver. The others are returns on Diversified Capital Investments.
Who are RAG-Stiftung's main competitors?
Allianz Stiftung für Sicherheit und Kultur is listed as an emerging player. Direct peers are NRW-Stiftung and Deutsche Bundesstiftung Umwelt (DBU). Broad incumbents are KfW Group, VolkswagenStiftung, Bertelsmann Stiftung and Körber-Stiftung. NRW.BANK is listed as a regional player.
Does RAG-Stiftung have an API?
No public API is recorded for RAG-Stiftung.
What industry is RAG-Stiftung in?
RAG-Stiftung's product category is Foundation Perpetual Obligation Financing. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAGAKAM, Environmental & Climate Grantmaking Foundations, with a secondary code of FSANAJAF, Water & Waste / Circular Economy Funds. Its NAICS code is 551 and its SIC code is 6799.