The medal was awarded for the first time in 1980 for services to the foundation field: "Prominent figures from the foundation field are honoured for a lifetime of commitment.  This honour can therefore be seen as the crowning moment of a founder's or foundation’s lifetime achievement.” (Source: “Arrangement for the awarding of the medal for services to the foundation field”)

Nomination procedure for the medal for services to the foundation field

Each year, the Association for German Foundations’ members are invited to submit nominations as to who should receive the honour. The closing date for nominations is 1 August.

The "Deutscher Stifterpreis" (German Donors Award), which has been awarded annually since 1994, “can be viewed as the recognition of services and as an encouragement towards further activities in the foundation field. It can honour the establishment of new foundations and exemplary achievements of already existing foundations.” (Source: “Statute for the "Deutscher Stifterpreis"”)

Nomination procedure for the "Deutscher Stifterpreis" (German Donors Award)

Each year, the Association for German Foundations’ members are invited to submit nominations as to who should receive the honour. The closing date for nominations is 1 August.

KOMPASS is used by the Association of German Foundations to distinguish examples of effective foundation communication which point the foundation sector in the right direction. The prize is awarded according to three categories: overall appearance, PR projects and individual communication activities.