What Stifterverband does

Stifterverband für die Deutsche Wissenschaft e.V., founded in 1920 and headquartered in Essen with a Berlin office, is a German nonprofit membership association of approximately 3,500 companies, foundations, scientific organisations and private individuals. It operates as an independent cross-sector convener focused on strengthening Germany's education, science and innovation capacity, working across two thematic fields: Bildung & Kompetenzen (education and skills) and Kollaborative Forschung & Innovation (collaborative research and innovation). The organisation does not develop a unified software product; instead, it operates a portfolio of proprietary frameworks, platforms, alliances and programmes that function as its core technology.

Its principal proprietary assets are research frameworks and data platforms, most notably the Future-Skills-Framework (originally 2018 with 18 skills, updated 2021 with 21 skills, and re-released as the 2030 edition with 30 competencies across five categories, validated by more than 50 experts and over 1,000 surveyed stakeholders). Supporting products include the KI-Campus free AI learning platform, the Kompass Bildungsförderung Deutschland online map of extracurricular programmes (co-developed with McKinsey & Company), the KI-Masterplan 2030 scenario-planning tool for AI in higher education, and the annual Monitor Unternehmensengagement produced by its ZiviZ research unit (4,431 company responses from a 125,000-company sample in the 2024 field phase). These are organised under the Zukunftsmission Bildung umbrella initiative, which coordinates four sub-alliances: Allianz für Future Skills (>500 active members), Allianz für Schule Plus, Allianz für MINT-Fachkräfte, and Allianz für Lehrkräfte.

Stifterverband is funded through a diversified mix of membership dues from its ~3,500 members, public project grants (notably from the Bundesministerium für Forschung, Technologie und Raumfahrt), and foundation support (Dieter Schwarz Stiftung, Vector Stiftung, Amazon/AWS for specific events). All publications, frameworks and learning platforms are distributed free of charge; no commercial product pricing is applicable. Distribution is content- and community-led, via the stifterverband.org website, the monthly THINK&DO podcast, the Stifterverband-Briefing newsletter, in-person events such as the Jahresversammlung and ZMB Deep Dive series, and the KI-Campus platform. The organisation's leadership is in transition, with Melanie Maas-Brunner appointed President in 2026 and Andrea Frank to become Secretary General in February 2027, succeeding Volker Meyer-Guckel.

Name

Stifterverband

Legal name

Stifterverband für die Deutsche Wissenschaft e.V.

Website

https://stifterverband.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1920

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

251–500 employees

Short description

Stifterverband is a 106-year-old German nonprofit membership association of approximately 3,500 companies, foundations, scientific organisations and individuals that convenes cross-sector reform of education, science and innovation through proprietary research frameworks, alliances and free public programmes.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Education and Science Advocacy

NAICS

Grantmaking Foundations (813211)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

Corporate Foundations & CSR Grantmaking (BPAGAKAC)

akta.pro secondary industry

Research Administration & Grants Management Support (Pre/Post-Award, Compliance) (EDAEALAO)

Keywords

• Education reform advocacy
• Nonprofit membership association
• Future skills frameworks
• Science innovation programs
• Higher education strategy

Headquarters

HQ city

Essen

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership dues and contributions: Stifterverband is funded primarily through membership dues and contributions from its ~3,500 member companies, foundations, scientific organisations, and private individuals. These membership fees form the core of its diversified financing mix, which the organisation describes as a key factor in maintaining its independence.
2. Public project funding and grants: Stifterverband receives public project funding for specific initiatives. The Peer-to-Peer 'Personalstrukturen und -entwicklung in der Wissenschaft' project is funded by the Bundesministerium für Forschung, Technologie und Raumfahrt (BMFTR). The AI Literacy in der Lehrkräftebildung event was supported by Amazon. The IPN Meta-Study on MINT teaching was funded by Vector Stiftung. The KI-Masterplan 2030 was developed with support from Dieter Schwarz Stiftung.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

Stifterverband is a German nonprofit membership association of approximately 3,500 companies, foundations, scientific organisations and individuals that convenes cross-sector reform of Germany's education and science systems. It delivers research frameworks (Future-Skills-Framework 2018/2021/2030), learning platforms (KI-Campus), data products (Monitor Unternehmensengagement, Kompass Bildungsförderung), and alliance programmes (Zukunftsmission Bildung with Allianz für Future Skills, Allianz für Schule Plus, Allianz für MINT-Fachkräfte, Allianz für Lehrkräfte). It funds and runs the Peer-to-Peer personnel development programme for universities, and provides advocacy, convening, and policy analysis to federal and state governments.

Product overview

Stifterverband is a German non-profit association of approximately 3,500 members from business, science, and civil society, dedicated to reshaping education and science to strengthen society's innovation capacity. It does not offer a unified software product but rather a portfolio of research frameworks, platforms, initiatives, and programs. The core product is the Future-Skills-Framework (initially published in 2018, updated in 2021 and 2025 with 30 skills), which maps future competencies across five categories and underpins the Allianz für Future Skills and the broader Zukunftsmission Bildung. The KI-Campus is the organization's free AI learning platform for society and schools. Complementary offerings include: the Allianz für Schule Plus (school partnership alliance), ZiviZ (corporate engagement research with the Monitor Unternehmensengagement), the Kompass Bildungsförderung Deutschland (online map of extracurricular programs), the Peer-to-Peer Personnel Development program for universities, the THINK&DO podcast series, and the AI Literacy Framework initiative. The organization also publishes reports, discussion papers, and meta-studies and hosts events such as the ZMB Deep Dive series.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• ZiviZ im Stifterverband: Research program focused on corporate civic engagement in Germany
• Future Skills Framework
• Kompass Bildungsförderung Deutschland
• THINK&DO Podcast
• KI-Campus

Products and services

• Future-Skills-Framework A structured competency framework identifying future skills needed over the next five years. Developed with McKinsey and updated periodically (2018, 2021, 2025/2030); categorises 30 competencies across five domains (fundamental, transformative, community-oriented, digital, technological). Audience: higher education institutions, companies, policymakers, and science organisations.
• KI-Campus

Quantifiable outcome

• 43% of German companies actively shape civic engagement in education (Monitor Unternehmensengagement 2025, based on 4,431 company responses)
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

15 partnerships are on record, tiered minor, core and flagship.

• Amazon (via AWS PartyRock)minorGTM or Marketing Partner · 18 June 2026Amazon supported the AI Literacy in der Lehrkräftebildung event (June 18, 2026) as part of the AI Literacy Framework launch activities. AWS PartyRock contributed a workshop ('PartyRock im Klassenzimmer') showcasing free AI learning tools for students aged 13+.
• AI Literacy Framework ecosystem partners (OECD, European Commission, fobizz, App Camps, KI-Campus, KI macht Schule!, Pacemaker Initiative, PartyRock, schulKI, TüftelLab)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 18 June 2026Stifterverband co-hosted the German-language launch of the final OECD/European Commission AI Literacy Framework (June 18, 2026, Berlin). Ecosystem workshop partners included: fobizz & App Camps, KI macht Schule! & KI-Campus, Pacemaker Initiative (EDUCATION Y / NELE Campus), PartyRock (AWS), schulKI, and TüftelLab (Junge Tüftler).
• Leibniz Institute for the Pedagogy of Science and Mathematics (IPN)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 April 2026The IPN (Leibniz-Institut für die Pädagogik der Naturwissenschaften und Mathematik) was commissioned by Stifterverband's Allianz für Schule Plus to produce the meta-study 'Wie gelingt guter MINT-Unterricht?' (April 2026). Prof. Dr. Olaf Köller, IPN's Managing Scientific Director, presented findings at the ZMB Deep Dive event.
• Scientific Taskforce 'Future Skills 2030'coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 December 2025A scientific taskforce of >50 external experts, selected from >500 Allianz für Future Skills members, contributed to the Future Skills 2030 framework update. Members held diverse roles in universities, applied sciences universities, and research institutions. A scientific taskforce of 3 Stifterverband representatives plus 14 external members oversaw the revision process.
• McKinsey & CompanyflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 September 2018Stifterverband and McKinsey & Company jointly developed the Future-Skills-Framework in 2018, updated it in 2021, and again in 2025 (Future Skills 2030). McKinsey also co-developed the Kompass Bildungsförderung Deutschland (published 2025). The partnership has produced four discussion papers (2018), multiple framework updates, and a major report on corporate educational engagement.
• Stifterverband member companies, foundations, scientific organisations and individuals (~3,500 members)coreGTM or Marketing PartnerStifterverband's primary strategic asset is its membership community of ~3,500 companies, foundations, scientific organisations and private individuals. Members contribute financially, co-create initiatives (e.g., Allianz für Future Skills with 500+ active participants), participate in surveys and events, and benefit from networking and data products. The diversified membership base is described as a key factor in Stifterverband's independence.
• Allianz für Future Skills (Allianz in Zukunftsmission Bildung)flagshipGTM or Marketing PartnerA coalition within the Zukunftsmission Bildung initiative with >500 active members from education, academia, business, civil society and politics. The Allianz aims to ensure all higher education institutions firmly integrate Future Skills into their educational offerings. It served as the engagement mechanism for the Future Skills 2030 framework development, with >1,000 surveyed stakeholders and >1,500 persons reached through surveys and workshops.
• KI-Campus (Stifterverband-operated)flagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerKI-Campus is Stifterverband's free AI learning platform. It provides online courses, videos, podcasts and tools to strengthen AI competencies across society. In the 'KI in der Schule' area, it supports (aspiring) teachers with AI courses, teaching materials, micro-formats and community activities. It co-developed a self-learning training for teachers with KI macht Schule! based on the AI Literacy Framework.
• Allianz für Schule Plus (Allianz in Zukunftsmission Bildung)flagshipGTM or Marketing PartnerAn alliance within the Zukunftsmission Bildung initiative bringing together actors to strengthen school-business cooperation and extracurricular educational programmes. Coordinated by Stifterverband. Led the commissioning of the IPN Meta-Study on MINT teaching quality. Published Charta der Allianz für Schule Plus. Targets schools, teachers, foundations and policymakers.
• Wissenschaftsrat (German Science Council)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerStifterverband and Wissenschaftsrat co-hosted the workshop 'Personalstrukturen neu gestalten' (January 19-20, 2026, Berlin) to discuss implementation of the Wissenschaftsrat's July 2025 recommendations on personnel structures in the German science system. The workshop brought together central actors from science, science management and politics.
• Allianz für MINT-Fachkräfte (Allianz in Zukunftsmission Bildung)flagshipGTM or Marketing PartnerOne of four alliances within the Zukunftsmission Bildung initiative. Focuses on STEM talent pipelines and reducing the MINT skills gap. Supported the meta-study on effective MINT teaching and coordinates with Vector Stiftung-funded initiatives.
• Allianz für Lehrkräfte (Allianz in Zukunftsmission Bildung)flagshipGTM or Marketing PartnerOne of four alliances within the Zukunftsmission Bildung initiative. Coordinates AI literacy in teacher training, including the AI Literacy Framework launch activities. References ongoing efforts to strengthen AI competencies across the teacher training continuum.
• ZiviZ im StifterverbandcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerZiviZ is a subsidiary/programme of Stifterverband that systematically improves the data landscape on corporate civic engagement in Germany. It produces the annual Monitor Unternehmensengagement, based on surveys of up to 125,000 companies. Dr. Peter Schubert leads the ZiviZ office. ZiviZ bridges business engagement data and civil society research.
• fobizz and App CampsminorStrategic or Co-development Partnerfobizz is a leading German-language platform for digital teacher training, AI tools and teaching materials. App Camps is a nonprofit providing free teaching materials on programming, AI and digital topics. Both, sharing founder Diana Knodel, have long collaborated with Stifterverband in teacher qualification programmes. They co-presented at the AI Literacy in der Lehrkräftebildung event.
• KI macht Schule!minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerA nonprofit initiative bringing AI education to schools in German-speaking countries since 2019. Offers practical courses for students and teacher training. Co-developing a self-learning teacher training on AI with KI-Campus based on the AI Literacy Framework. Presented at the AI Literacy in der Lehrkräftebildung event.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Jacobs Foundation: Swiss-German foundation focused on child and youth development, education and Future Skills. Comparable in its funding of research, learning frameworks and large-scale coalition programmes aimed at systemic education reform.
• acatech – Deutsche Akademie der Technikwissenschaften: Germany's National Academy of Science and Engineering, working as a policy advisor and convener for science, innovation and future skills. Comparable to Stifterverband's KI-Masterplan and Future Skills work as an evidence-based convener between science, business and government.
• Hochschulrektorenkonferenz (HRK): Voluntary association of German higher education institutions (state and private universities, universities of applied sciences). Directly comparable as a membership-based German convener in the higher education space, with similar advocacy, working groups, and policy-facing publications.
• Bertelsmann Stiftung: One of Germany's largest private operating foundations, running major programmes in education, democracy and economy. Comparable as a German nonprofit driving education reform through proprietary studies, frameworks and policy advocacy, though privately funded rather than membership-based.
• Bundesverband Deutscher Stiftungen: Germany's umbrella association of more than 4,800 foundations. Closest structural twin to Stifterverband: a membership-based nonprofit serving as convenor, advocate, and data publisher for the foundation sector, with a comparable business model and member-funded revenue mix.
• Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG): Germany's central research funding organisation, also a membership-based association that administers grants, conducts programme funding, and supports the science system. Most structurally comparable to Stifterverband's grantmaking and science-policy convening role, though focused on academic research rather than broader education reform.
• Robert Bosch Stiftung: Major German foundation with substantial education, science and society programmes. Comparable to Stifterverband in its operating-foundation model, focus on education reform, and publication of proprietary frameworks (e.g. on skills, democracy, internationalisation).
• Vodafone Stiftung Deutschland: Corporate foundation of Vodafone Germany funding education and integration programmes. Comparable as a German corporate-foundation peer running its own education research and project portfolios, with a different revenue model (single corporate backer vs. membership).
• Körber-Stiftung: Hamburg-based German operating foundation with flagship education programmes (e.g. Körber MINT, Deutscher Schulpreis). Comparable as a privately funded foundation running its own research, competitions, and coalition-building programmes in the same Future Skills / STEM space.

Broad incumbents

• Leibniz-Gemeinschaft: Association of 97 German non-university research institutes covering natural, life, social and humanities sciences. Comparable as a broader, science-system convener and policy advocate with operating resources that dwarf Stifterverband's research institute footprint.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/stifterverband
• LinkedInde.linkedin.com/company/stifterverband
• Instagraminstagram.com/stifterverband
• Xx.com/stifterverband

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles18 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Stifterverband