Stiftung Bildung
Stiftung Bildung is a Berlin-based German charitable foundation that operates nationwide educational equity programmes for children and youth aged 4-27, channelling donations and federal grants through a network of 40,000+ Kita/Schulfördervereine and 16 state-level associations to deliver peer sponsorships, youth participation, and project funding.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2012
- HeadquartersBerlin, Germany
- Headcount—
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Stiftung Bildung does
Stiftung Bildung is a German charitable foundation (Stiftung bürgerlichen Rechts) founded in 2012 and headquartered in Berlin, focused on educational equity for children and youth in Germany aged 4-27. The foundation operates as the central node in a nationwide distribution ecosystem comprising over 40,000 Kita- and Schulfördervereine (kindergarten and school support associations) and 16 state-level associations (Landesverbände) covering all German federal states. Its core programme, Chancenpatenschaften, matches children and youth for peer-to-peer sponsorships and has produced 27,651 cumulative placements since 2016 across 1,947+ educational locations, reaching 55,302 beneficiaries; this programme is operated under the BMBFSFJ federal programme 'Menschen stärken Menschen', making Stiftung Bildung the only one of 23 federal partners reaching children through direct cooperation with Kitas and schools.
The foundation's product surface extends beyond Chancenpatenschaften to include the youpan youth forum (16-27 year olds participating in UNESCO BNE 2030 governance), the annual Förderpreis 'Verein(t) für gute Kita und Schule' award (>€15,000 prize money), the Förderfonds thematic grant programme, and sub-brand initiatives (youstartN, youclub). The technology stack is conventional non-profit infrastructure: WordPress CMS with WooCommerce and Complianz plugins, twingle for donation processing, Matomo and Google Analytics for web analytics, Monday.com for project management, Zoom for virtual events, and Wordfence for security — there are no proprietary technology products or AI capabilities.
The business model is entirely donation- and grant-financed, with no commercial revenue. Revenue streams include individual donations (€25/month child sponsorships, €50/month regular giving, one-off project support from €500), corporate philanthropy and employee giving, testamentary bequests and trust foundations (Treuhandstiftungen), court-ordered fines (Bußgelder), and federal grants from BMBFSFJ and BMBF. Distribution combines direct digital channels (website, Spendenshop, social media on six platforms, podcast, newsletter) with field-based regional teams and Landesverband partners. Customer segments are primarily socially disadvantaged children and youth (beneficiaries) and the Förderverein network (operational partners), with individual donors and corporate partners as funding sources.
Stiftung Bildung firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Stiftung Bildung
- Legal name
- Stiftung Bildung
- Website
- https://stiftungbildung.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2012
- Operating status
- Operating
- Short description
- Stiftung Bildung is a Berlin-based German charitable foundation that operates nationwide educational equity programmes for children and youth aged 4-27, channelling donations and federal grants through a network of 40,000+ Kita/Schulfördervereine and 16 state-level associations to deliver peer sponsorships, youth participation, and project funding.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Stiftung Bildung industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Education Philanthropy
- NAICS
- Grantmaking Foundations (813211), Grantmaking and Giving Services (8132)
- SIC
- Services-Social Services (8300)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Education Grantmaking Foundations (BPAGAKAK)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Community Foundations (BPAGAKAB), Social Justice & Human Rights Grantmaking Foundations (BPAGAKAN)
Keywords
Where Stiftung Bildung is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Berlin
- HQ country
- Germany
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices1 record
Markets served
Stiftung Bildung business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others
Revenue model
- Individual Donations: Recurring and one-time donations from private individuals, including child sponsorships (Patenschaften) at 25 EUR/month or 300 EUR/year, general donations, birthday donations, and condolence donations. Donations are tax-deductible in Germany.
- Corporate Philanthropy & Employee Giving: Companies can donate directly, allocate corporate donations, or engage employees in giving programmes.
- Public Funding (Federal Programmes): Funding from the Bundesministerium für Bildung, Familie, Senioren, Frauen und Jugend (BMBFSFJ) for the Chancenpatenschaften programme ('Menschen stärken Menschen'), and from the Bundesministerium für Bildung und Forschung (BMBF) for the youpan/BNE youth participation programme.
- Testamentary Bequests & Endowments: Inheritance donations, trust foundations (Treuhandstiftungen), endowment funds (Stiftungsfonds), and contributions/bequests.
- Fines and Court-Ordered Payments: Judges, public prosecutors, and courts can allocate fines (Bußgelder) and court-ordered payments (Geldauflagen) to the foundation.
- Donation Shop (Spendenshop): An online shop where donors can direct gifts toward specific causes or project categories.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Monthly | Child Sponsorship: 25 EUR/month (300 EUR/year) |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Project Support: starting from 500 EUR for a Kita/school project |
| Subscription | Monthly | Regular Monthly Support: starting from 50 EUR/month |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels9 records
Stiftung Bildung product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Stiftung Bildung is a donation-financed German charitable foundation that channels individual donations, corporate philanthropy, and federal programme grants into educational programmes for children and youth in Germany. Its primary offering is the Chancenpatenschaften programme, which pairs children and youth (ages 4–27) with peers for sponsorships and participation projects delivered through a nationwide network of more than 40,000 Kita and school support associations (Fördervereine). The foundation also operates the youpan youth forum for UNESCO BNE 2030 governance, grant programmes (Förderfonds, youstartN, youclub), the Förderpreis award, advocacy via Think Tank #zukunftbilden, and the Spendenshop donation platform.
Product overview
Stiftung Bildung is a donation-financed foundation that operates as a unified charitable platform rather than a modular software product. Its portfolio consists of interconnected programs: the core Chancenpatenschaften (sponsorship) program paired with the Chancenpatenschaften funding mechanism; Bildungsspender*innen (educational donors) that channels donations to school/kindergarten projects; BNE (Education for Sustainable Development) with the youcoN conference and youpan youth forum; and grant programs (Förderfonds, youstartN, youclub). Cross-cutting services include the Förderpreis award, the Spendenshop donation platform, the Think Tank #zukunftbilden advocacy arm, and Wissen für Aktive educational services. All programs work through a network of kindergarten and school support associations across Germany.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- youpan: Youth forum for participation in Education for Sustainable Development (BNE)
- Chancenpatenschaften
- youstartN
- youclub
- Förderpreis Verein(t) für gute Kita und Schule
Products and services
- Chancenpatenschaften Core child-to-child sponsorship programme that pairs children and youth (ages 4–27) with different opportunities for participation, enabling peer-to-peer learning, friendship building, and social inclusion. Implemented nationwide through the BMBFSFJ Bundesprogramm 'Menschen stärken Menschen' and supplemented with donations. Over 27,651 sponsorships facilitated since 2016.
- Bildungsspender*innen Programme supporting educational donors who contribute to kindergarten and school projects, enabling initiatives such as reading projects, children's orchestras, CO2-free schools, and vegetable gardens.
- youpan Youth Forum Youth forum for 16–27 year-olds participating in implementing the National Action Plan for Education for Sustainable Development (BNE). 30 members work with speaking and voting rights in UNESCO programme governance bodies.
- youcoN Youth Conference Annual youth conference (until 2024) bringing together 100+ young people aged 14–27 to develop ideas on how education can contribute to a sustainable future, featuring workshops, lectures, and discussions on topics like climate change and transformative education.
- Bildung für nachhaltige Entwicklung (BNE) Education for Sustainable Development programme supporting children and youth who demonstrate, start projects, and educate others on sustainable development topics aligned with the 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals.
- Förderpreis 'Verein(t) für gute Kita und Schule' Annual award programme with more than 15,000 EUR in prize money recognising outstanding projects from kindergarten and school support associations (Fördervereine) across Germany.
- Förderfonds Grant funds supporting ideas that create a fair and inclusive society, administered through the foundation's network of kindergarten and school support associations. From 50,000 EUR can establish a dedicated thematic funding fund.
- youstartN Funding programme supporting youth initiatives.
- youclub Funding programme supporting child and youth recreation facilities.
- Spendenshop (Donation Shop) Online donation platform enabling supporters to direct gifts toward specific causes or project categories. Operated via twingle GmbH donation processing.
- Think Tank #zukunftbilden Policy think tank producing position papers and advocacy materials on education policy, diversity, inclusion, and climate protection in education.
- Wissen für Aktive Professional knowledge transfer programme offering seminars and workshops on topics including law, taxes, lobbying, and fundraising for active volunteers in kindergartens and schools.
Quantifiable outcome
- 84% of sponsored children (Pat*innen) in 2025 reported befriending their tandem partner; 84% of volunteers observed children having fun; 100% of caregivers reported children experiencing activities they could not otherwise afford.
- +5 more outcomes
Companies that use Stiftung Bildung
Customer profileNamed customers3 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Stiftung Bildung technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration1 record
Feature3 records
Stiftung Bildung partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
14 partnerships are on record, tiered core.
- Bundesministerium für Bildung und Forschung (BMBF)coreThe BMBF funds the youpan youth participation project, through which the Stiftung Bildung coordinates the only formalised youth participation forum in Germany's UNESCO BNE 2030 process. The BMBF also supports other BNE-related initiatives and projects under its Education for Sustainable Development framework.
- Nationale Plattform BNE (National BNE Platform)coreStiftung Bildung manages the youpan, Germany's only formalised youth forum within the UNESCO BNE 2030 governance structure. Youpan members (aged 16–27) participate with speaking and voting rights in the National Platform BNE, influencing national educational policy on sustainability and BNE implementation.
- Bundesministerium für Bildung, Familie, Senioren, Frauen und Jugend (BMBFSFJ) — Bundesprogramm 'Menschen stärken Menschen'coreStiftung Bildung has been an official programme partner of the BMBFSFJ's 'Menschen stärken Menschen' federal programme since 2016. The programme was expanded in 2018 under the 'Chancenpatenschaften' banner to include all children and youth with different participation opportunities. The foundation is the only one of 23 participating organisations that reaches children through direct cooperation with Kitas and schools. Federal funding supports the placement of approximately 3,000 sponsorships annually at educational institutions nationwide.
- Landesverband der Kita- und Schulfördervereine Berlin-Brandenburg e.V. (lsfb)coreThe lsfb serves as the implementation partner for the Chancenpatenschaften programme in Berlin and Brandenburg. It recruits educational institutions, provides counselling on association matters, and manages programme delivery in the region. Annekatrin Richter is the regional project manager.
- Landesverband der Kita- und Schulfördervereine Bayern e.V. (LSFV.BAYERN)coreLSFV.BAYERN serves as the implementation partner for the Chancenpatenschaften programme in Bavaria. It provides counselling on association formation, legal and tax matters, and coordinates seminar and workshop series for Kita, school, and support associations.
- Landesverband der KiTa- und Schulfördervereine Bremen/Bremerhaven e.V. (LSFVHB)coreLSFVHB serves as the implementation partner for the Chancenpatenschaften programme in Bremen and Bremerhaven, providing local counselling and programme coordination.
- Landesverband der KiTa-, Schul- und Fördervereine Hamburg e.V. (LSFH)coreLSFH serves as the implementation partner for the Chancenpatenschaften programme in Hamburg, providing counselling on association matters and coordinating local programme delivery.
- Landesverband der Kita- und Schulfördervereine Mecklenburg-Vorpommern e.V. (LVFMV)coreLVFMV serves as the implementation partner for the Chancenpatenschaften programme in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, coordinating regional programme delivery and supporting educational institutions.
- Landesverband der Kita- und Schulfördervereine Niedersachsen e.V. (LSFV-N)coreLSFV-N serves as the implementation partner for the Chancenpatenschaften programme in Lower Saxony, providing counselling on association formation and programme implementation.
- Landesverband der Kita- und Schulfördervereine Rheinland-Pfalz e.V. (LSFV-RP)coreLSFV-RP serves as the implementation partner for the Chancenpatenschaften programme in Rhineland-Palatinate, providing local support and programme coordination.
- Sächsischer Landesverband der Kita- und Schulfördervereine e.V. (SLSFV)coreSLSFV serves as the implementation partner for the Chancenpatenschaften programme in Saxony, providing counselling and programme support for educational institutions.
- Landesverband der Kita- und Schulfördervereine Sachsen-Anhalt e.V. (LSFV-ST)coreLSFV-ST serves as the implementation partner for the Chancenpatenschaften programme in Saxony-Anhalt.
- Landesverband der Kita- und Schulfördervereine Schleswig-Holstein e.V.coreServes as the implementation partner for the Chancenpatenschaften programme in Schleswig-Holstein, coordinated by regional manager Meryem Haberl.
- Thüringer Landesverband der Schulfördervereine e. V. (TLSFV)coreTLSFV serves as the implementation partner for the Chancenpatenschaften programme in Thuringia, with Kristina Knabe-Märtin serving as regional project manager.
Scale indicators8 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Stiftung Bildung competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Deutsche Kinder- und Jugendstiftung (DKJS): Germany's largest non-profit foundation focused on educational equity and youth participation. Operates nationwide programmes (similar to Chancenpatenschaften), is federally co-funded, and runs state-level implementation partners. Highly comparable in mission, structure, and federal programme model.
- Stiftung Lesen: German non-profit foundation promoting reading and literacy in Kitas and schools. Operates a similar national network of Fördervereine and educational institutions, runs BMBF/BMBFSFJ-funded programmes, and uses DZI-certified donation fundraising. Direct comparable in target beneficiary and grantmaking model.
- Körber-Stiftung: Large German non-profit foundation with significant education, youth participation, and civic engagement programmes. Operates federal programmes and youth conferences (Jugend debattiert, Körber Future Foundation). Comparable in educational mission, scale, and federal programme partnerships.
- Vodafone Stiftung Deutschland: Corporate-affiliated German foundation focused on education, digital learning, and youth participation. Runs federal programmes and policy advocacy in education. Comparable in education grantmaking and federal programme partnership model.
- Heinz Nixdorf Stiftung: German foundation supporting education, youth, and civil society. Funds programmes at schools and universities and runs its own grant programmes. Comparable in foundation structure, education focus, and grantmaking model.
- Hans Sauer Stiftung: German non-profit foundation funding education, social innovation, and civil society projects. Comparable in educational grantmaking, Förderverein support, and foundation structure.
Broad incumbents
- Bertelsmann Stiftung: One of Germany's largest foundations with extensive education and social policy programmes. Operates at significantly larger scale and broader scope than Stiftung Bildung, but shares educational equity, youth participation, and BNE-adjacent themes. Acts as a broad incumbent in the German education philanthropy space.
Regional players
- Stiftung Bildungspakt Bayern: Regional Bavarian education foundation supporting school projects, Fördervereine, and educational innovation. Comparable in targeting Kita/Schulfördervereine and educational grantmaking, but limited to Bavaria rather than nationwide reach.
Others
- PHINEO gAG: Non-profit analysis and consulting organisation that awards the Wirkt-Siegel to effective non-profits. Comparable as an ecosystem participant: Stiftung Bildung is a Wirkt-Siegel recipient while PHINEO acts as the certifier and broader civil-sector effectiveness assessor.
- Bundesverband Deutscher Stiftungen: The umbrella association of German foundations. Stiftung Bildung is a member and adheres to the association's 'Grundsätze guter Stiftungspraxis' (Principles of Good Foundation Practice). Comparable as an ecosystem enabler and standard-setter for German foundations.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks7 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Stiftung Bildung social profiles
Digital presenceStiftung Bildung compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance5 records
Stiftung Bildung financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Stiftung Bildung leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles6 records
Stiftung Bildung funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Stiftung Bildung M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Stiftung Bildung
What does Stiftung Bildung do?
Stiftung Bildung is a donation-financed German charitable foundation that channels individual donations, corporate philanthropy, and federal programme grants into educational programmes for children and youth in Germany. Its primary offering is the Chancenpatenschaften programme, which pairs children and youth (ages 4–27) with peers for sponsorships and participation projects delivered through a nationwide network of more than 40,000 Kita and school support associations (Fördervereine). The foundation also operates the youpan youth forum for UNESCO BNE 2030 governance, grant programmes (Förderfonds, youstartN, youclub), the Förderpreis award, advocacy via Think Tank #zukunftbilden, and the Spendenshop donation platform.
Is Stiftung Bildung a public or private company?
Stiftung Bildung is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Stiftung Bildung founded?
Stiftung Bildung was founded in 2012.
Where is Stiftung Bildung based?
Stiftung Bildung is headquartered in Berlin, Germany, in the Europe region.
How does Stiftung Bildung make money?
Six revenue lines are on record. Individual Donations are the primary driver. The others are corporate Philanthropy & Employee Giving, public Funding (Federal Programmes), testamentary Bequests & Endowments, fines and Court-Ordered Payments and donation Shop (Spendenshop).
Who are Stiftung Bildung's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Deutsche Kinder- und Jugendstiftung (DKJS), Stiftung Lesen, Körber-Stiftung, Vodafone Stiftung Deutschland, Heinz Nixdorf Stiftung and Hans Sauer Stiftung. Bertelsmann Stiftung is listed as a broad incumbent. Stiftung Bildungspakt Bayern is listed as a regional player. Others are PHINEO gAG and Bundesverband Deutscher Stiftungen.
Does Stiftung Bildung have an API?
No public API is recorded for Stiftung Bildung.
What industry is Stiftung Bildung in?
Stiftung Bildung's product category is Education Philanthropy. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAGAKAK, Education Grantmaking Foundations, with a secondary code of BPAGAKAB, Community Foundations. Its NAICS code is 813211 and its SIC code is 8300.