What Naturstiftung David does

Naturstiftung David is a German civil-law foundation (Stiftung des bürgerlichen Rechts) established in 1998 and affiliated with BUND Thüringen, operating from its headquarters in Erfurt with three additional offices in Braunsroda (Schmücke), Ilmenau, and Berlin. The foundation supports nature and climate protection in the new federal states of Germany through two complementary mechanisms: a grantmaking program that distributes approximately 100,000 euros per year across small (up to 600 euros), medium (up to 5,000 euros), and large (up to 15,000 euros) project tiers to environmental initiatives, and direct execution of large-scale conservation projects. Since inception it has supported over 530 projects with more than 1.5 million euros and reached 302 institutions in East German environmental protection.

The foundation's direct-execution portfolio centers on land ownership and stewardship in Thuringia and Saxony-Anhalt, including the approximately 3,000-hectare Hohe Schrecke wilderness area, the 182-hectare Rödel nature heritage area, and a 6,100-hectare project area in the UNESCO Thuringian Forest Biosphere Reserve. Major recent programs include the five-year nationwide forest bat habitat protection network (2026-2031, ~11.1 million euros, 10 partner organizations), the 10-year Thuringian Forest streams/moors/meadows conservation project (2026-2035, ~10.4 million euros, 75% BfN-funded), the Weidewonne sheep-farming support network, and renewable-energy-and-biodiversity initiatives (PROBAT, BiodivPV). It is also a co-shareholder of Deutsche NaturfilmStiftung alongside four other conservation foundations.

Funding is sourced from three streams: sustainably invested endowment capital of approximately 3.69 million euros, federal and state project subsidies (notably BfN chance.natur and nAHP programs, and BMUV KlimaWildnis/ANK), and individual donations processed via Fundraisingbox. The foundation is supervised by the Thüringer Innenministerium / Thüringer Landesverwaltungsamt, is a member of Initiative Transparente Zivilgesellschaft, and operates with 19 employees (6 full-time, 13 part-time) across its four locations.

Name

Naturstiftung David

Legal name

Naturstiftung David – Die Stiftung des BUND Thüringen

Website

https://naturstiftung-david.de

Company type

Private

Founded year

1998

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Naturstiftung David is a German conservation foundation that funds environmental projects in East Germany and directly manages wilderness areas including the 3,000-hectare Hohe Schrecke, the 182-hectare Rödel nature heritage site, and large-scale Thuringian Forest conservation programs.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Environmental Conservation Services

NAICS

Environment, Conservation and Wildlife Organizations (813312), Grantmaking and Giving Services (81321)

SIC

Forestry (800)

akta.pro primary industry

Conservation Easements & Land Trust Services (AFAMAMAH)

akta.pro secondary industries

Forestry & Reforestation (BPAGAGAD), Environmental & Climate Grantmaking Foundations (BPAGAKAM), Carbon Forestry Project Development & Origination (Afforestation/Reforestation/IFM) (IMAMAJAD)

Keywords

• Nature conservation
• Land stewardship
• Renewable energy
• Biodiversity protection
• Environmental grants

Headquarters

HQ city

Erfurt

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Others, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Endowment Returns: Returns from endowment capital invested sustainably. The foundation's endowment capital amounts to approximately 3.69 million euros, which generates annual returns used to fund project grants.
2. Project Subsidies and Grants: Federal and state funding for specific conservation projects. The foundation receives project-based subsidies from public institutions including Bundesamt für Naturschutz (BfN) and Bundesministerium für Umwelt (BMUV).
3. Donations: Donations from individuals and organizations supporting nature and climate protection. The foundation accepts online donations via Fundraisingbox.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Naturstiftung David is a nonprofit civil-law foundation that acquires, owns, and manages conservation land in Thuringia, Germany, while also distributing grants and executing projects in nature protection, climate protection, and renewable energy. It funds and runs thematic programs such as forest bat conservation (Waldfledermäuse), pasture/orchard stewardship (Weidewonne), and biodiversity-friendly photovoltaics (BiodivPV), and provides educational outreach. Revenue is sourced from endowment returns, federal project subsidies (BfN, BMUV), and donations.

Product overview

Naturstiftung David operates as a conservation foundation with no traditional software product offering. Their primary digital presence is an informational website portal providing access to project information, grant applications, and donations. Their core 'products' are conservation projects and land management across multiple regions in Germany, including: the Wildnisfläche Hohe Schrecke (~3,000 hectares of wilderness), Naturerbefläche Rödel (182 hectares), the Naturschutz Thüringer Wald project, Weidewonne sheep farming network, Waldfledermäuse bat protection, and the Biodiversity-PV project. They also manage project funding programs (Projektförderung) with 600€, 5,000€, and 15,000€ tiers, support approximately 100,000 euros annually to environmental initiatives. As a co-shareholder of Deutsche NaturfilmStiftung, they participate in nature film festivals and publications. The organization has no commercial software products, APIs, or AI-powered features.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Weidewonne: Support network for Thuringian sheep farming operations providing conservation grazing, with label for marketing lamb meat and wool products, initiated by Thuringian Ministry for Environment in 2014

Products and services

• Conservation Land Management Direct acquisition, ownership, and ecological stewardship of conservation land in Thuringia for nature and habitat protection; intended for biodiversity outcomes and ecosystem preservation.
• Environmental Project Grants Grant funding distributed to nonprofit organizations and project partners for nature conservation, climate protection, and biodiversity projects, often co-financed through federal programs (BfN, BMUV).
• Waldfledermäuse (Forest Bats Program) Thematic program dedicated to the conservation of forest bat species and their woodland habitats in Thuringia, including habitat management and outreach.
• Weidewonne (Pasture/Orchard Stewardship Program) Thematic program supporting traditional pasture and orchard habitats, including grazing management and orchard preservation for biodiversity.
• BiodivPV (Biodiversity-Friendly Photovoltaics) Program combining renewable energy generation via photovoltaics with biodiversity-supporting land management on conservation sites, including solar installations designed to maintain or enhance habitats.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 530 projects funded with more than 1.5 million euros since foundation in 1998
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers9 records

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

16 partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• Deutsche NaturfilmStiftung (DNS)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2020Naturstiftung David is co-shareholder of Deutsche NaturfilmStiftung since 2020, alongside Loki Schmidt Stiftung, Nationale Naturlandschaften e. V., Michael Succow Stiftung, and Förderverein Nationalpark Boddenlandschaft e. V. Together they develop the genre of nature film for filmmakers, broadcasters, conservation, and policy.
• Regina Bauer StiftungcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2018Since 2018, Regina Bauer Stiftung from Munich collaborates with Naturstiftung David for funding animal species projects in East Germany. Regina Bauer Stiftung provides at least 15,000 euros annually until 2027 for species conservation. Naturstiftung David handles project selection and administration.
• Zoologische Gesellschaft FrankfurtcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerJoint operation of Wildnisbüro Deutschland (Wildness Office Germany) in Berlin with Naturstiftung David and NABU-Stiftung Nationales Naturerbe. The office coordinates wilderness conservation efforts nationwide.
• NABU-Stiftung Nationales NaturerbecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerJoint operation of Wildnisbüro Deutschland (Wildness Office Germany) in Berlin with Naturstiftung David and Zoologische Gesellschaft Frankfurt. Coordinates national wilderness protection efforts.
• Stiftung Grüne TatzecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerJoint management of the 182-hectare Rödel nature heritage area in Saxony-Anhalt. Stiftung Grüne Tatze partners with Naturstiftung David for conservation management of this orchid-rich grassland and forest area.
• Deutsche Wildtier StiftungcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in the five-year national network project 'Lebensraumschutz für windkraftsensible Waldfledermäuse' (2026-2031) led by Naturstiftung David. Total project budget of approximately 11.1 million euros.
• Landesbund für Vogel- und Naturschutz in Bayern e. V. (LBV)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in the national forest bat conservation network led by Naturstiftung David. LBV participates in implementing habitat protection measures across Bavaria.
• NABU Baden-WürttembergcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in the national forest bat conservation network led by Naturstiftung David. Contributes to habitat protection and species monitoring in Baden-Württemberg.
• NABU NiedersachsencoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in the national forest bat conservation network led by Naturstiftung David. Implements habitat conservation measures in Lower Saxony.
• NABU Nordrhein-WestfalencoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in the national forest bat conservation network led by Naturstiftung David. Contributes to forest bat protection efforts in North Rhine-Westphalia.
• Sächsische Landesstiftung Natur und Umwelt (LaNU)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in the national forest bat conservation network led by Naturstiftung David. Participates in species and habitat protection in Saxony.
• Stiftung FLEDERMAUScoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in the national forest bat conservation network led by Naturstiftung David. Brings specialized expertise in bat conservation to the partnership.
• Stiftung Natur und Umwelt Rheinland-Pfalz (SNU)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in the national forest bat conservation network led by Naturstiftung David. Implements conservation measures in Rhineland-Palatinate.
• Universität GreifswaldcoreTechnology or IntegrationPartner in the national forest bat conservation network led by Naturstiftung David. Provides research and monitoring expertise for forest bat species conservation.
• ThüringenForst AöRcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerKey implementation partner for the 'Bäche, Moore und Bergwiesen im Thüringer Wald' project. Provides forest management expertise and coordinates on-site conservation measures in the Thuringian Forest.
• UNESCO-Biosphärenreservat Thüringer WaldcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerImplementation partner for the large-scale conservation project in Thuringian Forest. Coordinates with the biosphere reserve administration for habitat and species protection measures.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Regional players

• Schweizerische Stiftung für Natur und Umwelt (Stiftung Natur & Umwelt): Swiss foundation operating the national network of Swiss Parks. Comparable in land-based conservation, project funding programs, and federal-level partnership structure, though operating across Germany-Switzerland border.
• Stiftung Naturlandschaften Brandenburg: Brandenburg-based conservation foundation managing large nature reserves in former East Germany. Closely comparable in East German geographic focus, National Natural Heritage land ownership, and federal funding model.

Emerging players

• Regina Bauer Stiftung: Munich-based foundation for animal species protection in East Germany, partnered with Naturstiftung David since 2018 with €15K+ annual funding. Comparable in species-focused grantmaking and East German conservation focus, though smaller in scale.

Direct peers

• Heinz Sielmann Stiftung: Major German nature conservation foundation operating large-scale conservation projects and managing its own nature reserves. Comparable in combining land ownership, project funding, and species conservation at national scale.
• Michael Succow Stiftung: German conservation foundation named after the renowned ecologist, focused on Eastern European and German nature conservation. Comparable in Eastern European/German focus, large-scale project management, and co-shareholder of Deutsche NaturfilmStiftung.
• NABU-Stiftung Nationales Naturerbe: German national conservation foundation managing National Natural Heritage areas and co-operating Wildnisbüro Deutschland with Naturstiftung David. Directly comparable in mission, structure, and federal funding model.
• Deutsche Wildtier Stiftung: Hamburg-based wildlife conservation foundation that partners with Naturstiftung David in the forest bat network. Comparable in species protection focus, federal project funding model, and public outreach approach.
• Zoologische Gesellschaft Frankfurt: Frankfurt-based conservation organization managing global species protection projects. Comparable as Wildnisbüro Deutschland co-operator and as a peer organization in species conservation and habitat management.
• Loki Schmidt Stiftung: Hamburg-based floral and nature conservation foundation focused on plant species and habitat protection. Comparable in grantmaking structure, co-shareholder relationship in Deutsche NaturfilmStiftung, and conservation land engagement.

Broad incumbents

• BUND (Bund für Umwelt und Naturschutz Deutschland): Germany's largest environmental association and parent organization of BUND Thüringen (Naturstiftung David's parent). Operates broadly across environmental policy and advocacy rather than as a specialized foundation.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubevimeo.com/naturstiftung
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/naturstiftung-david

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Naturstiftung David