Stiftung Bildung

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.

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

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

• Educational philanthropy
• Child sponsorship programs
• Youth participation platforms
• Foundation grant funding
• Education nonprofit services

Headquarters

HQ city

Berlin

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. 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.
2. Corporate Philanthropy & Employee Giving: Companies can donate directly, allocate corporate donations, or engage employees in giving programmes.
3. 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.
4. Testamentary Bequests & Endowments: Inheritance donations, trust foundations (Treuhandstiftungen), endowment funds (Stiftungsfonds), and contributions/bequests.
5. Fines and Court-Ordered Payments: Judges, public prosecutors, and courts can allocate fines (Bußgelder) and court-ordered payments (Geldauflagen) to the foundation.
6. Donation Shop (Spendenshop): An online shop where donors can direct gifts toward specific causes or project categories.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core 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

Named customers3 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration1 record

Feature3 records

Partnerships

14 partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• Bundesministerium für Bildung und Forschung (BMBF)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2017The 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)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2017Stiftung 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'coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2016Stiftung 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)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorThe 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)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorLSFV.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)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorLSFVHB 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)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorLSFH 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)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorLVFMV 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)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorLSFV-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)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorLSFV-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)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSLSFV 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)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorLSFV-ST serves as the implementation partner for the Chancenpatenschaften programme in Saxony-Anhalt.
• Landesverband der Kita- und Schulfördervereine Schleswig-Holstein e.V.coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorServes as the implementation partner for the Chancenpatenschaften programme in Schleswig-Holstein, coordinated by regional manager Meryem Haberl.
• Thüringer Landesverband der Schulfördervereine e. V. (TLSFV)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorTLSFV 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

Direct 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

• Xtwitter.com/StiftungBildung
• Facebookfacebook.com/Stiftungbildung
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/stiftung-bildung
• Instagraminstagram.com/stiftung_bildung

Compliance5 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

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

Frequently asked questions about Stiftung Bildung