# Stifterverband für die Deutsche Wissenschaft

Stifterverband für die Deutsche Wissenschaft is a Foundation based in Essen, Germany.

## Overview

- **Organization type:** Foundation
- **Headquarters:** Essen, Germany
- **Region:** Europe
- **Address:** Baedekerstrasse 1, 45239 Essen, Germany
- **Founded:** 1920
- **Assets under management:** 4.1B (Altss estimate)
- **Website:** stifterverband.org
- **LinkedIn:** https://de.linkedin.com/company/stifterverband

## Regulatory record

- **Reports private funds:** No

## About

Stifterverband für die Deutsche Wissenschaft was established in 1920 as a registered association to support science and higher education in Germany. Michael Kaschke serves as president alongside other board members drawn from major German corporations. The organization aggregates contributions from companies, individuals, and institutions rather than tracing to a single family fortune. The association deploys assets across endowment management, direct program funding, and foundation administration. It maintains exposure to public markets and real assets through Mehr-Anleger-Spezialfonds vehicles that follow an ESG strategy. Stage coverage includes long-term commitments to model projects in STEM education and applied research. Geographic reach centers on Germany with limited international grant activity through DSZ - International Giving Foundation. The firm employs 250 professionals and operates additional offices in Berlin and Bonn. It fully owns Deutsches Stiftungszentrum GmbH, which administers dozens of client foundations, and maintains partial ownership in Bildung & Begabung gGmbH. A March 2024 sponsorship of the Forschungsgipfel in Berlin addressed innovation policy and future skills. The entity also participates in Bundesverband Deutscher Stiftungen and Allianz der Wissenschaftsorganisationen. Governance rests with an elected board that includes senior representatives from Henkel, DZ Bank, and other major German corporations. This structure separates the central association from the operating subsidiaries that execute investment and grant decisions. Ownership of Wissenschaftszentrum Bonn GmbH adds a dedicated venue for events and tenant science organizations.

## Sectors

- Education
- Science

## Offices

- Berlin, Germany
- Bonn, Germany

## People

- Michael Kaschke — President
- Melanie Maas-Brunner — President-elect
- Simone Bagel-Trah — Vice President
- Volker Meyer-Guckel — Secretary General

## Questions

### Who runs investment decisions at Stifterverband für die Deutsche Wissenschaft?

Michael Kaschke serves as president with oversight from the board. Volker Meyer-Guckel acts as secretary general and chairs the management board. External advisors include Bankhaus Metzler and Allianz Pension Consult GmbH.

### How does Stifterverband für die Deutsche Wissenschaft source deal flow?

The association receives mandates from member companies and foundations. It also runs internal programs that identify model projects in education and research. Co-investments occur through partnerships such as Commerzbank AG on educational initiatives.

### Does Stifterverband für die Deutsche Wissenschaft participate in fund commitments or only direct deals?

It uses multi-investor special funds for endowment management. Direct ownership extends to operating companies including Deutsches Stiftungszentrum GmbH and BildungsChancen gGmbH.

### What investment stages does Stifterverband für die Deutsche Wissenschaft typically target?

Capital supports long-duration endowment holdings and multi-year program grants. No early-stage venture commitments appear in disclosed records.

### What is Stifterverband für die Deutsche Wissenschaft's known posture on co-investments alongside external GPs?

Co-investor relationships exist with Commerzbank AG on education projects. Broader participation occurs through industry associations rather than direct GP commitments.

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Last updated: 2026-06-28T01:53:17.593Z

Canonical page: https://altss.com/profile/stifterverband-f-r-die-deutsche-wissenschaft

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