Foundations are tax-exempt to help them support their own charitable work or funding of external initiatives. They are regulated under tax law and legislation governing foundations, but are not subject to any direct democratic control. Transparency with respect to their assets, decision-making structures and actions in the pursuit of their objectives is therefore vital to ensure the legitimacy of their operations and acceptance by society. To this end, we have provided some key information about the Stiftung :do foundation below.
Stiftung :do
Bookkoppel 7
22926 Ahrensburg
We are a Hamburg-based foundation established in 2005 with its headquarters in Ahrensburg, Germany.
Objectives
The purpose of the Stiftung :do foundation is defined under Section 2(1) of the foundation’s articles of association as follows: “The exclusive and direct purpose of the foundation is firstly to promote science and research, education and training, arts and culture, international understanding, development aid, environmental protection, care for the young and elderly, democracy and the selfless support of disadvantaged people who as a result of their physical, mental or emotional health find themselves reliant on the help of others; and secondly to generate funds to enable other organisations (e.g. associations, foundations, schools, universities and museums) to pursue the aforementioned purpose.”
Having worked on a wide range of issues between 2005 and 2009, the Executive Board of the Stiftung :do foundation took the decision in 2009 to focus its efforts on supporting refugees and migrants (seeHistorytab for more information).
Tax exemption and charitable status
As stated in the notice of exemption issued by the Hamburg-Nord tax office (tax number 17/416/00656) on 04/11/2022, the Stiftung :do foundation is exempt from the payment of corporation tax under Section 5(1)(9) of the German Corporate Income Tax Act (KStG) and from the payment of trade tax under Section 3(6) of the German Trade Tax Act (GewStG), since it serves directly and exclusively tax-privileged, public-benefit and charitable purposes in line with Sections 51 et seq. of the German Fiscal Code (AO).
Governing bodies and names and roles of decision-makers
The governing bodies of the Stiftung :do foundation are the Executive Board and the Board of Trustees. The names of the members and details of their roles can be found here. The members of the two boards undertake their roles on a voluntary basis.
Activity reports
The Stiftung :do foundation is a purely grant-making foundation. A representative selection of projects we’ve funded is available here on our website and continues to be updated.
Origin and use of the foundation's funds
The Stiftung :do foundation’s capital was provided in 2005 by the Hamburg-based businessman Carl-Wilhelm Edding. No external capital has been received since then. The assets are invested in line with strict ethical and sustainability standards. The returns on these investments constitute the budget for the foundation’s activities. The budget is also supplemented with smaller and fluctuating donations from private individuals (as detailed in the foundation’s annual report). The annual report for the Stiftung :do foundation is audited each year by a financial auditing company. We would be happy to provide a summary of the annual report on request.
Business associations with third parties
The Stiftung :do foundation is a charitable foundation under civil law and therefore does not have business associations with any other organisations. It works together with other progressive foundations as part of the Wandelstiften network. Itis also a member of the Allianz Rechtssicherheit für politische Willensbildung (English: Legal certainty for political advocacy alliance) and the Association of German Foundations (BDS).
