Provide essential medical equipment—including neonatal ventilators and ultrasound devices—for hospitals in Ukraine, supporting urgent healthcare needs during the crisis.
Special Purpose Funds
Acting with Purpose in Times of Need
Special Purpose Funds
Photo: ReDI School
To respond nimbly to the societal needs of our time, at the Foundation we have established Special Purpose Funds within our statutory framework. These allow us to address emerging challenges while maintaining alignment with our core philanthropic mission.
At a glance – what kind of Funds we have
With our Special Purpose Funds, we support initiatives that provide emergency response and strengthen civil society in East Germany. Each Fund is designed to address specific needs and support projects that make a tangible difference in people’s lives.
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Photo credit: Prof. Dr. med. habil. Thomas Erler, Freundes- und Förderkreis Ernst von Bergmann Klinikum e.V.
1. Emergency Response Fund (since 2022)
Our Emergency Response Fund combines swift humanitarian action with targeted programs for individuals and communities affected by crisis.
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Photo credit: Betty Pabst, Irrsinnig menschlich e.V.
2. Civil Society Fund (since 2025)
Centered on children and youth, the Civil Society Fund advances civic engagement in East Germany, promoting self-efficacy, belonging, and digital literacy.
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Deutsche Filmakademie: "spots. - Alliances for Film Culture, Youth and Democracy"
3. Culture Fund (since 2026)
Our Culture Fund strengthens the local cultural landscape of Berlin and Brandenburg by supporting initiatives and organizations that expand and enrich public access to arts and culture.
Project examples
Special Purpose Funds enable focused responses to pressing needs, offering timely support for emerging challenges. They uphold our mission while adapting to changing circumstances.
1. Emergency Response
All the projects supported under the Emergency Response Fund aim to directly and positively change individual institutions and people’s lives affected by an emergency or crisis.
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Ernst von Bergmann Klinikum – Freundes- und Förderkreis
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Totschka
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ReDI School of Digital Integration
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2. Civil Society Fund
The Civil Society Fund supports projects across East Germany that promote self-efficacy, belonging, and digital literacy, with a particular emphasis on children and youth.
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TUMO Potsdam
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Teach First Deutschland
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Irrsinnig Menschlich
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Erlebe was geht gGmbH
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3. Culture Fund
The Culture Fund supports cultural initiatives and organizations of varying sizes in Berlin and Brandenburg that expand public access to art and culture and foster cultural participation.
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Deutsche Filmakademie: "spots. - Alliances for Film Culture, Youth and Democracy"
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Film Without Borders Festival 2025
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Film Without Borders
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Our Achievements
Together with our projects we regularly assess the most effective strategies to achieve the agreed goals and ensure that their initiatives can have a lasting contribution.
Emergency Response
>65%
girls as part of the entry-level course participants at ReDI Kids
Civil Society Fund
>80
active mentoring pairs helping students complete their education and transition into working life by ROCK YOUR LIFE! Brandenburg
It starts with a click
You can follow our work and that of our projects on social media and on our websites. The future is bold and full of possibilities – stay tuned for what is next.
Contact
Theresa Hannes
Manager Impact & Business Development
Projects are selected and supported solely at the Foundation’s own initiative. We kindly ask you to refrain from submitting funding requests and ask for your understanding if we must decline them.