Studiosus Foundation

What Studiosus Foundation does

Studiosus Foundation e.V. is a Munich-based, tax-exempt charitable foundation (eingetragener Verein) founded in 2005 and affiliated with tour operator Studiosus Reisen München GmbH. The foundation channels donations from individual travelers and other contributors toward small-scale NGO projects in social responsibility, environmental protection, and cultural heritage preservation, with individual project grants capped below €10,000. The foundation does not run its own programs on the ground; instead, it screens, selects, and funds third-party implementing NGOs, distributing donations across more than 20 countries in Africa, Asia, Europe, Latin America, and the Middle East.

The foundation has completed over 100 projects since inception and holds the DZI (Deutscher Zentralinstitut für soziale Fragen) donation seal, a German certification marking compliance with standards on fundraising efficiency, transparent accounting, and proper use of donations. It is financed through donations rather than commercial revenue, and does not publicly disclose income figures. Headcount is reported in the 1–10 employee range, consistent with a small grantmaking body that outsources program delivery to partners.

Operationally, the foundation pursues both development-oriented projects (water infrastructure in Argentina, education and training facilities such as the Uplift-Haus in Kyrgyzstan, climate protection) and ad hoc humanitarian relief, including emergency response to natural disasters. Its strategic posture is incremental rather than transformational: it adds new geographies and partner NGOs opportunistically, and in 2022 took over administration of donations previously routed through the dissolved Wir helfen Kindern initiative in Ecuador. There is no indication of proprietary technology, software, or AI capabilities; the foundation's "product" is grantmaking and due diligence on partner NGOs.

Name

Studiosus Foundation

Legal name

Studiosus Foundation e.V.

Website

https://studiosus-foundation.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2005

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Studiosus Foundation e.V. is a Munich-based tax-exempt charitable foundation, founded 2005 and affiliated with Studiosus Reisen, that funds small-scale NGO projects under €10,000 in social, environmental, and cultural heritage causes across 20+ countries.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Charitable Foundation / Nonprofit Grantmaking

NAICS

Grantmaking Foundations (813211)

akta.pro primary industry

Corporate Foundations & CSR Grantmaking (BPAGAKAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Environmental & Climate Grantmaking Foundations (BPAGAKAM), Arts, Culture & Humanities Grantmaking Foundations (BPAGAKAJ), Community Foundations (BPAGAKAB)

Keywords

• Charitable foundation
• Project grant funding
• Social responsibility programs
• Environmental protection projects
• Cultural heritage preservation

Headquarters

HQ city

Munich

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Studiosus Foundation e.V. is a Munich-based charitable non-profit association that funds worldwide NGO projects in three thematic areas — social responsibility, environmental protection, and cultural heritage preservation. It raises donations through an online platform and bank transfer, then awards grants typically below €10,000 per project (max three years) directly to vetted local partners. It also publishes transparent reporting through a public media library and holds the DZI donation seal and Gold Standard VER certification for its climate projects.

Product overview

Studiosus Foundation e.V. is a charitable non-profit association (eingetragener Verein) based in Munich, Germany, established in 2005 by Studiosus Reisen München GmbH. The foundation does not offer commercial products or services. Instead, it operates as a grant-making organization that funds selected worldwide projects across three core areas: social responsibility, environmental protection, and cultural heritage preservation. Funding criteria limit individual grants to less than €10,000, with projects typically running three years or less. The foundation coordinates project funding, receives donations, issues donation certificates, and publishes transparent reporting through its website.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Project Funding Programme The foundation's core activity: awarding financial grants (typically under €10,000 per project, max three years) to vetted NGO projects worldwide across social responsibility, environmental protection, and cultural heritage preservation. Projects must be visitable and subject to cost verification within one year, with typically one project supported per country. Annual application deadline is end of March.
• Donation Platform Online donation platform enabling supporters to contribute via bank transfer to Commerzbank München, online donation form, or QR code payment. Supports project-specific or general-fund donations, with automated donation certificates issued for contributions up to €300 and a 100% pass-through guarantee.
• Media Library / Transparency Reporting Publicly accessible media library providing downloadable documents including annual financial reports, DZI donation seal certificates, tax exemption notices (Freistellungsbescheid), and meeting minutes for donor transparency.

Quantifiable outcome

• 4,000 biogas plants financed and built in Karnataka, India by end of 2021
• +5 more outcomes

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

18 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Uplift-Aufwind e.V. (Germany)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025German non-profit focused on improving the situation of children in Kyrgyzstan. Studiosus Foundation e.V. financed the equipment and furnishing of two kitchens, guest room beds, pedagogical toys, sun blinds, HVAC, and fire protection for the new Uplift House in Tokmok.
• Nationalparkverwaltung El Calafate (Argentina)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025The Argentinian National Park Administration provided the site for the 'Bebedero' drinking water station on their premises. Studiosus Foundation e.V. financed the installation of a modern drinking water station serving residents and tourists.
• ADES (Association pour le Développement de l'Energie Solaire Suisse – Madagascar)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2022ADES builds energy-efficient and solar cookers in Madagascar, manufactured in local workshops. Studiosus Foundation e.V. has co-financed solar cookers, parabolic solar cookers, and energy-efficient cookers since 2011. ADES has created around 175 jobs and maintains 300 additional jobs through local suppliers and independent retailers. Gold Standard VER certified climate protection project.
• Alt Olympia Environmental and Cultural Association (Greece)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2018Local association coordinating reforestation of the Galani hill near Olympia, Greece, damaged by wildfires in 2007. Studiosus Foundation e.V. supported irrigation systems, seedlings, trail restoration, and botanical garden maintenance from 2013 to 2019.
• ADES / Swiss solar organization (Madagascar)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2014ADES's Madagascar team, based in Morombe coastal city, partnered with Studiosus Foundation e.V. for the Baobab Tsitakakoike protection project in Andombiry, including reforestation, environmental education, and energy-efficient cooker distribution.
• Irente Children's Home (Tanzania)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2014Children's home in Tanzania caring for approximately 30 children aged 0–2 without parents. Studiosus Foundation e.V. has supported since 2014 with building renovations, solar water heating, rainwater cisterns, and ongoing operational costs.
• SKG Sangha (India)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2011Local Indian NGO led the construction of approximately 4,000 biogas plants in Karnataka, India under a CO2 compensation project in partnership with myclimate. Plants were built for smallholder rural households and verified under the Gold Standard Clean Development Mechanism.
• Magic Bus India Foundation (MBI)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2011Non-profit organization using outdoor activities and sport to help children and youth escape poverty in India. Studiosus Foundation e.V. co-financed the Magic Bus Sport for Development program in Rajasthan (Jaipur/Jal Mahal) from 2011, reaching over 3,500 youth.
• African Solar Rise e.V. (Germany)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2011Association supports local populations in rural Tanzania with solar energy introduction and small business development in renewable energy. Studiosus Foundation e.V. co-financed the Simba Solar Village demonstration huts, building materials, and worker wages in Dar es Salaam.
• Fopos e.V. (Germany/South Africa)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2011Fopos e.V. supports the St. Luigi Scrosoppi Center in Oudtshoorn, South Africa. Studiosus Foundation e.V. co-financed a biological vegetable garden, greenhouses, workshop for olive oil and pomegranate juice production, and pig farming facilities.
• SPOWC (Society for the Protection of Women and Children, Nepal)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2010Studiosus Foundation e.V. has supported SPOWC Free School in Kathmandu since 2010 with school feeding programs, building renovations, water supply installations, and roof repairs. Supported through multiple crises including the 2015 earthquakes and COVID-19.
• HVTO (Homestay Volunteer Teachers Organisation, Cambodia)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2010HVTO provides education including computer classes, English language instruction, a library, and music school near Siem Reap. Studiosus Foundation e.V. has supported since 2010 with computer equipment, teacher salaries, and operational costs through the COVID-19 pandemic and into 2025.
• one world foundation (Sri Lanka)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2007Studiosus Foundation e.V. has supported since 2005 the school of one world foundation in Ahungalla, Sri Lanka.
• Wir helfen Kindern in Ecuador e.V.coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2006German association that built the Cascada de Peguche social education center in Ecuador since 1997. Studiosus Foundation e.V. supported traditional music and dance classes, computer equipment, building construction, sanitation, and since April 2022 directly took over monthly teacher salary payments after the partner association dissolved.
• Camaquito e.V. (Switzerland)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2005Swiss children's aid organization working in Cuba's Camagüey province and Santiago de Cuba. Supports Cuban children, youth, and young adults in education, sport, and culture. Studiosus Foundation e.V. has been supporting Camaquito projects since 2005, including a vocational school, youth theater La Andariega, and the Camagüey Ballet.
• German Archaeological Institute (DAI)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2005DAI has been researching and securing the ancient site of Pergamon for over 125 years. Studiosus Foundation e.V. financed conservation of the Red Hall (Rote Halle) south tower (2005–2013), the Egyptian Atlas statue reconstruction (2009–2013), and the Gymnasium Palaestra conservation project (2014–2018). Also funded the museum in Yeha, Ethiopia.
• Myanmar Partner e.V.coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2003Studiosus Foundation e.V. has worked with Myanmar Partner e.V. since 2011 to support the Phaung Daw Oo monastery school in Mandalay and the Marfels vocational training center. Myanmar Partner coordinates on-the-ground project implementation.
• Help-Myanmar e.V.minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2001Initial partner for the Phaung Daw Oo monastery school project. Studiosus Foundation e.V. supported language lab and sewing class equipment at a hotel school in Yangon (2001), and solar cooker production in Ngapali and Mandalay (2002).

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• SOS-Kinderdorf International: International non-profit operating children's villages and youth education programs in developing countries — comparable small-grant-style project partnerships with local organizations supporting children and youth (overlap with Phaung Daw Oo, Magic Bus, Irente Children's Home).
• Welthungerhilfe: One of Germany's largest private aid organizations, funding food security, rural development, and reconstruction projects in the same geographies where Studiosus Foundation operates (Myanmar, India, Nepal, Madagascar).
• Brot für die Welt: German development and relief organization funding partner NGOs in developing countries across social and environmental causes — closely comparable international grantmaking model and project partner structure.
• Gerda Henkel Foundation: German foundation funding historical research and cultural heritage preservation globally, including archaeological projects similar to Studiosus Foundation's Pergamon and Yeha museum work — directly comparable on the cultural-heritage pillar.
• Software AG Foundation (SAGST): German corporate foundation established by a software company, funding environmental, social, and educational causes with a comparable small-grants model and German governance footprint — directly analogous to Studiosus Foundation's corporate-foundation structure.
• Stiftung Weltbevölkerung (DSW): German non-profit foundation supporting international development, population, and sexual/reproductive health projects in developing countries — comparable mission, geographic focus, and German donor base to Studiosus Foundation.
• Stiftung Nord-Süd-Brücken: German foundation supporting development cooperation and intercultural dialogue projects — comparable mission, funding scale, and grantmaking to NGO partners in the Global South.

Others

• HelpDirect e.V. German online donation intermediary connecting individual donors with small-scale international development projects — functions as an adjacent channel/enabler rather than direct competitor to Studiosus Foundation's grantmaking.

Emerging players

• Naturschutzbund Deutschland (NABU): Germany's largest nature and biodiversity conservation association, active on reforestation and climate — overlaps with Studiosus Foundation's environmental pillar (biogas, reforestation, solar projects) but with a domestic-Germany focus.

Broad incumbents

• Robert Bosch Stiftung: One of Germany's largest corporate foundations, funding international social, educational, and cultural heritage causes — same corporate-foundation DNA as Studiosus Foundation but operating at a much larger scale and broader thematic scope.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles10 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Studiosus Foundation