Facts and figures

The documentation and research of the foundation system is a central task of the Association of German Foundations.

26349
Number of foundations with legal status
total
2 %
Increase of the number of foundations
nationwide (rounded)
711
New foundations
in 2024
89 %
Percentage of foundations with tax-deductible purposes
in Germany

711 new foundations were established in 2024. This brings the number of foundations with legal status according to civil law to 26,349. The foundation sector in Germany thus grew by 2.2 percent (2023: 2.1 percent), meaning there are currently 31.6 foundations on average for every 100,000 German citizens.

Federal states with the most foundations

North Rhine-Westphalia is home to the largest number of foundations (5,106). With 4,522 foundations, Bavaria is in second place, while Baden-Württemberg is in third place with 3,800 foundations.

However, if the density of foundations is considered, that is to say the ratio of foundations to the number of people who live there, it is clear that Hamburg continues to lead the field, with 82 foundations for every 100,000 German citizens. On this basis, Bremen ranks second (with 50 foundations per 100,000 German citizens) and Hesse third (with 46 foundations for every 100,000 German citizens). 

Miniatur Globes
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International co-operation

The Association of German Foundations is part of an international network; it supports and advises German foundations that work internationally, many of them in the development cooperation sector.

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