Braunschweig Foundation

What Braunschweig Foundation does

Die Braunschweigische Stiftung (Braunschweig Foundation) is an independent charitable foundation (Stiftung bürgerlichen Rechts) established in 1994 in Braunschweig, Germany, originally as STIFTUNG NORD/LB · ÖFFENTLICHE by Norddeutsche Landesbank Girozentrale in coordination with Öffentliche Versicherung Braunschweig. The foundation promotes art, culture, science, research, technology transfer, sports, civic engagement, and — since a 2014 reorganization — education and upbringing within the Braunschweigische Land region of Lower Saxony. Following the 2014 merger of Stiftung Sport und Kultur für Braunschweig and the addition of representatives from Volkswagen AG and Richard Borek GmbH & Co. KG to its board, the foundation operates as a regional grantmaker covering nine chartered sub-regions through a lean in-house team of 11–50 staff.

The foundation's core offering is project funding (Projektförderung) across eight defined fields — performing arts, visual arts, music, reading promotion, regional history, digital education, sports, and science transfer — alongside trust foundation administration (Stiftungsverwaltung) delivered through a 100% subsidiary, Stiftungspartner GmbH, established in 2015. Since 2009, the foundation has administered third-party trust foundations (Treuhandstiftungen), managing 46 such entities with combined capital of approximately €24.47 million as of 2025. The foundation does not build proprietary technology; its digital stack consists of standard commercial software (Diamant accounting implemented 2025, a project management tool since 2021, Matomo web analytics), supported by a digital strategy developed with Wider Sense agency since 2016. Own programs include makerAcademy, Mehrkampf-Cup, Jugend forscht regional competition, Visual Arts Scholarships (14 stipendholders since 2014), Braunschweiger Jugendbuchwoche, and Lessing-Preis für Kritik.

The foundation's revenue model is structurally distinct from commercial entities: its 2024 available funds of €2,054,447 derive primarily from investment returns on endowment capital (€1,604,430, 78.1%), supplemented by external allocations (Zuwendungen) directed to current project funding (€425,017, 20.69%). It holds €50.37 million in investment securities and manages an additional €24.47 million in third-party trust foundation capital. Project funding applications are accepted formlessly at any time, with board approvals at quarterly meetings for requests exceeding €10,000. Distribution occurs through direct application to the Braunschweig office and via the jointly-operated Haus der Braunschweigischen Stiftungen platform, a 20+ year partnership with Stiftung Braunschweigischer Kulturbesitz and Bürgerstiftung Braunschweig. Since 1994, the foundation has funded over 1,750 projects with cumulative disbursements exceeding €30 million, and in 2025 disbursed €514,254.23 across 152 trust-funded projects.

Name

Braunschweig Foundation

Legal name

Die Braunschweigische Stiftung

Website

https://die-braunschweigische.de

Company type

Private

Founded year

1994

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Die Braunschweigische Stiftung is a 1994 German charitable foundation that funds nonprofit projects across art, culture, science, sports, and education in the Braunschweigische Land region, and administers third-party trust foundations via its subsidiary Stiftungspartner GmbH.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Charitable Foundation Services

NAICS

Grantmaking Foundations (813211), Civic and Social Organizations (8134)

akta.pro primary industry

Community Foundations (BPAGAKAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Arts, Culture & Humanities Grantmaking Foundations (BPAGAKAJ), Research & Science Grantmaking Foundations (BPAGAKAI), Scholarship & Fellowship Foundations and Trusts (EDADAHAC)

Keywords

• Charitable foundation grants
• Trust foundation administration
• Project funding programs
• Civic engagement platforms
• Regional philanthropy services

Headquarters

HQ city

Braunschweig

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Others, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Endowment Investment Returns: The primary revenue stream is investment returns from the foundation's endowment capital. In 2024, total available revenues were €2,054,447, of which €1,604,430 (78.1%) came from endowment investment returns. The foundation's balance sheet shows significant financial assets including securities of €50,374,860.78 and ground stock capital of €23,008,134.65 plus endowment capital of €20,647,952.56.
2. Donations and Allocations for Current Disbursement: Zuwendungen (donations and allocations) contributed €425,017 (20.69%) of total 2024 revenues. These represent external contributions directed to current project funding.
3. Trustee / Trust Administration Fees: The foundation earns fees from administering third-party charitable trusts. As of 2025, it manages €24,466,983.66 in foundation capital and €573,512.18 in consumable capital for 46 trust foundations. In 2025, €514,254.23 was distributed to 152 projects from trust foundation earnings. The Stiftungspartner GmbH (100% subsidiary) also generates revenue from foundation administration and advisory services.
4. Project Sponsorship and Grants: The foundation receives and distributes project-specific sponsorship and grant funding. In 2024, the foundation paid out €422,862 in project funding, representing 20.58% of total expenditures.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Die Braunschweigische Stiftung provides financial grants and project development support for nonprofit initiatives across eight project fields (Performing Arts, Visual Arts, Music, Reading Promotion, Regional History, Digital Education, Sports, and Science Transfer) in the Braunschweigische Land region of Lower Saxony. It also administers 46 third-party trust foundations (Treuhandstiftungen) through its 100% subsidiary Stiftungspartner GmbH, manages EUR 24.47 million in entrusted capital, and operates the Haus der Braunschweigischen Stiftungen civic engagement platform alongside two peer foundations.

Product overview

Die Braunschweigische Stiftung is a regional charitable foundation that primarily offers grant funding services for non-profit projects in eight fields: Performing Arts, Visual Arts, Music, Reading Promotion, Regional History, Digital Education, Sports, and Science Transfer. The foundation operates a professional foundation management service (Stiftungsverwaltung) for third-party charitable foundations, administered through its 100% subsidiary Stiftungspartner GmbH since 2015. Key own projects include makerAcademy (digital maker education), Mehrkampf-Cup (team athletics), Jugend forscht regional competition, Visual Arts Scholarships, Braunschweiger Jugendbuchwoche, and Lessing-Preis für Kritik. The foundation also operates the Haus der Braunschweigischen Stiftungen platform for civic engagement. Digital services include an interactive online annual report. The foundation has no technology product in the traditional SaaS sense; its offerings are grant programs, foundation administration services, and educational/cultural initiatives.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Haus der Braunschweigischen Stiftungen: Platform for exchange, networking and further education for foundations and civic engagement, operated jointly with Stiftung Braunschweigischer Kulturbesitz and Bürgerstiftung Braunschweig
• Stiftungspartner GmbH

Products and services

• Projektförderung (Project Funding) Financial grants for nonprofit projects in eight fields: Performing Arts, Visual Arts, Music, Reading Promotion, Regional History, Digital Education, Sports, and Science Transfer. The foundation receives over 100 project inquiries annually and funds approximately 50 projects per year; applications can be submitted by email or post at any time, with board meetings four times per year for requests exceeding EUR 10,000.
• Stiftungsverwaltung (Trust Foundation Administration) Professional administration of charitable foundations for third parties, handling 46 trust foundations (Treuhandstiftungen) with combined foundation capital of EUR 24,466,983.66 and consumable capital of EUR 573,512.18 as of 2025. Services include asset management, project funding administration, and compliance with German foundation law.
• Stiftungspartner GmbH Wholly owned subsidiary that administers legally capable and non-capable foundations, advises founders and existing foundations, and provides a complete offering around foundation-related topics. Leverages the parent foundation's 30+ years of experience to serve trust foundation clients.
• Haus der Braunschweigischen Stiftungen Physical platform and competence center for foundations and civic engagement in the Braunschweigische Land, offering workshops, lectures, networking events including Connect4Impact (a format for young third-sector leaders), and continuing education on topics such as AI, resilience, and digitalization. Operated jointly with two peer foundations.
• Stipendien Bildende Kunst (Visual Arts Scholarships) Scholarship program for visual artists in the Braunschweig region; 14 stipends awarded since 2014 as part of a three-part support structure covering individual grants, institutional support, and recognition of established artists with regional connection.
• Jugend forscht Regionalwettbewerb Annual regional round of Europe's largest youth science and technology competition, typically hosting over 100 young researchers presenting 72 projects; the foundation supports qualifying state-level entries and special prizes.
• Mehrkampf-Cup Team athletics competition for children and youth in cooperation with the Niedersächsischer Leichtathletik-Verband, offering both school and club tracks; the project has run for nearly 25 years.
• makerAcademy Educational program promoting digital making, maker culture, and STEM skills for children and youth in the Braunschweig region.
• Braunschweiger Jugendbuchwoche Reading promotion initiative focused on youth literature in the Braunschweig region.
• Lessing-Preis für Kritik Award named after Gotthold Ephraim Lessing, recognizing outstanding contributions to critical discourse in the Braunschweig region.
• Interaktiver Jahresbericht (Interactive Annual Report) Interactive online annual report providing project showcases, financial data, strategic commentary, videos, and additional insights; serves as the foundation's primary accountability and communication artifact.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 1,750 projects funded and €30+ million disbursed since founding in 1994
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers17 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Stiftung Braunschweigischer KulturbesitzcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerJoint operator of the Haus der Braunschweigischen Stiftungen platform (over 20 years). The three founding foundations collaborate on networking, education, and knowledge-sharing for the third sector in the Braunschweigische Land. The platform offers workshops, lectures, and the Connect4Impact format for young sector leaders.
• Bürgerstiftung BraunschweigcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-initiator of the Haus der Braunschweigischen Stiftungen platform alongside Stiftung Braunschweigischer Kulturbesitz. The three-way partnership creates a leading competence and information center for foundations and civic engagement in the region.
• Stiftungspartner GmbHcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner100% subsidiary established in 2015 to administer legal and non-legal foundations, advise founders, and provide a complete offering around foundation management. Leverages the parent foundation's 30+ years of experience and infrastructure to serve trust foundation clients.
• Malte Sartorius KünstlerstiftungcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Braunschweigische Stiftung serves as trustee (Treuhänderin) for the artist foundation of Malte Sartorius, managing its comprehensive artistic estate. In 2024, the foundation was converted into a hybrid foundation (Hybridstiftung), with a cooperation agreement signed with Städtische Galerie Wolfsburg in April 2024 to digitally catalog the estate and present it in small exhibitions.
• Städtische Galerie WolfsburgcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCooperation partner for the Malte Sartorius artist estate. Since April 2024, the gallery professionally catalogs the estate and regularly presents parts of the collection in exhibitions. The gallery receives funding from the Malte Sartorius foundation for this work.
• Bundesakademie für Kulturelle Bildung Wolfenbüttel e.V.minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in the 'Occupy Kultur!' mentoring program (2020–2021) to diversify the cultural sector, and in Connect4Impact events. Also partner in the Forum 'Spuren künstlerischen Handelns' (2024) on artist estates, along with the Städtische Galerie Wolfsburg and the institute for art history of the Hochschule für Bildende Künste Braunschweig.
• Stadtfinder e.V.minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerJoint development of the 'Die Stadtfinder – Vernetzungskultur neu.' project (2015–2021), a cultural walking tour format that brought together creative professionals from different disciplines through temporary cultural activations of urban spaces. The project won the Sparkassen DAVID-Preis for small projects.
• Zukunftsfonds AsseminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-funding partner of the 'Occupy Kultur!' mentoring program (2020–2021) alongside the Bundesakademie für Kulturelle Bildung Wolfenbüttel.
• Braunschweigische Landessparkasse (Nord/LB)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLong-standing cooperation partner for the regional 'Jugend forscht' competition, hosting the annual event at its premises.
• DLR_School_Lab BraunschweigminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCooperation partner for the project 'Die Astronautin: Vom Alltag zwischen Erde und Atmosphäre' (2022), featuring talks by aspiring astronaut Dr. Insa Thiele-Eich.
• Grotrian-Steinweg / Schimmel PianosminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCooperation partners for the Klavierfestival 'Tastentaumel im Braunschweiger Land' (2003–2016), along with Peeters Kommunikation. Both Braunschweig-based piano manufacturers supported the regional piano festival with events across the foundation's territory.
• Connect4Impact Partner OrganizationsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerVarious organizations including VIELE_SOPHEN, Braunschweig Internationales Filmfest, AWO-Braunschweig, Haus der Kulturen, makerAcademy, and Brunsviga collaborated on Connect4Impact events organized at the Haus der Braunschweigischen Stiftungen or at partner venues (On Tour format).

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves10 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Bertelsmann Stiftung: One of Germany's largest operating foundations, active in education, democracy, and civic engagement - a scaled comparator for the subject's civic engagement and digital education programming.
• VolkswagenStiftung: Major German science and research grantmaking foundation based in Hannover with much larger AUM; shares science-transfer funding focus and Lower Saxony corporate heritage with the subject.
• Hertie-Stiftung: Frankfurt-based German foundation focused on brain research, education, and civic society; comparable civic engagement portfolio and comparable mix of grantmaking and self-developed programming.
• Fritz Thyssen Stiftung: Cologne-based German foundation supporting research, science, and education; comparable science-transfer and education grantmaking focus, but operates nationally rather than regionally.
• Software AG Foundation (SAGST): German independent foundation supporting education, science, and culture with operating programs comparable to the subject's Mehrkampf-Cup and makerAcademy approach; similar endowment-driven model.
• Körber-Stiftung: Large Hamburg-based operating foundation active in education, science, civic engagement, and culture - comparable multi-field grantmaking portfolio and comparable scale of self-developed programming.
• Bosch Stiftung: Large Stuttgart-based German foundation active in education, health, and civic society; comparable multi-field grantmaking model and comparable emphasis on operating own programs alongside funding external ones.

Direct peers

• Stiftung Braunschweigischer Kulturbesitz: Third co-initiator of the Haus der Braunschweigischen Stiftungen; a regional cultural/heritage foundation operating in Braunschweig with overlapping arts and culture grantmaking activities.
• Bürgerstiftung Braunschweig: Co-initiator of the Haus der Braunschweigischen Stiftungen platform; another community foundation operating in the same Braunschweig region with overlapping grantmaking and civic engagement focus.

Regional players

• Niedersächsische Sparkassenstiftung: Regional Lower Saxony foundation focused on civic engagement, culture, and education - comparable grantmaking scope and target segments, broader geographic footprint within the same state.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/diebraunschweigische
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/die-braunschweigische-stiftung
• Instagraminstagram.com/diebraunschweigische

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles10 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Braunschweig Foundation