Our funding principles

The question of how we wish to organise our economy and our working lives is a societal issue in which citizens should play an informed and active role. The Foundation aims to contribute to this, both directly and through the funding it provides.

To this end, the Foundation plans, supports or funds projects, initiatives and research 

  • which contribute to the discourse on economic and social ethical issues in our society,
  • address the relationship between the economy and responsibility, and are suited to
  • strengthen ethical judgement and help to make sound decisions for society.

Particularly when it comes to issues of business ethics, any assessment should be based on a detailed analysis of the underlying problem or risk. In its funding activities, the Foundation attaches great importance to this analysis and to the interconnection between ethical and economic issues.

We see ourselves as a foundation that, through our own projects and in collaboration with our partners, works on the development and implementation of sustainable solutions to specific issues within our funding priorities. In addition to its operational activities, the Foundation therefore provides funding for projects by private individuals or institutions that contribute to the fulfilment of its charitable purpose.

To maximise effectiveness, funding for external projects is provided in line with the content of our operational work and follows its priorities. Accordingly, a thematic call for proposals is issued at the start of each funding period.

Thematic Call for Proposals

We do not allocate funding on the basis of unsolicited funding applications, but instead channel our support through thematic programmes lasting two to three years. These programmes complement our operational work and are closely coordinated with our partners. You are therefore strongly advised to arrange a personal meeting with us before submitting a funding application.

During the 2025–2028 funding period, we will support projects addressing ESG considerations and ethical risk management in institutional investment – primarily, though not exclusively, in the sectors of food and nutrition, health, information technology and infrastructure investment. In addition to an ethical, social and environmental risk perspective on these sectors, we are also interested in opportunities for governance and influence with regard to engagement processes or other forms of shareholder influence, as well as stakeholder participation.

In the education sector, as in the years 2025–2027, we are supporting the development of teaching concepts, teacher training and teaching materials for general and vocational schools, as well as for out-of-school educational activities, in the following subject areas

  • conspiracy narratives
  • Disinformation in political communication
  • Global trade and the Supply Chain Due Diligence Act/CSDDD

The project selection process for both areas has been completed. 

Insight Economy needs Civilisation.
Einsicht Ökonomie braucht politisch-moralische Einbettung.
Risk Analysis We identify the opportunities and limits of corporate responsibility in global supply chains.
Risikoanalyse Wir zeigen die Möglichkeiten und Grenzen unternehmerischer Verantwortung in globalen Lieferketten auf.
Best Practice Fewer normative appeals. More work on standards.
Best Practice Weniger normative Appelle. Mehr Arbeit an Standards.
Dialogue We identify the possibilities and limits of corporate responsibility in the area of conflict between business and ethics.
Dialog Wir identifizieren die Möglichkeiten und Grenzen unternehmerischer Verantwortung im Spannungsfeld zwischen Wirtschaft und Ethik.
Responsibility Creating values. Protecting human rights.
Verantwortung Werte schaffen. Menschenrechte schützen.
Economy The aim of our work is to minimise human rights violations in global supply chains.
Wirtschaft Ziel unserer Arbeit ist es, Menschenrechtsverletzungen in globalen Lieferketten zu minimieren.
Education No economic education without moral judgement, no ethical education without economic understanding.
Bildung Keine ökonomische Bildung ohne moralisches Urteilsvermögen.
Advocacy We act as advocates for business ethics issues with the aim of making ethical risks economically relevant for companies. 

Themenanwaltschaft Wir setzen uns für Fragen der Unternehmensethik ein, mit dem Ziel, ethische Risiken für Unternehmen wirtschaftlich relevant zu machen.
Research We promote the ability to discuss economic issues, make moral judgements and act responsibly.
Forschung Wir fördern die Fähigkeit, wirtschaftliche Themen zu diskutieren, moralische Urteile zu fällen und verantwortungsvoll zu handeln.
Mission Solutions for responsible business. Guidance for companies, politics and civil society.
Mission Lösungen für verantwortungsbewusstes Wirtschaften. Orientierung für Unternehmen, Politik und Zivilgesellschaft.
Education We are committed to firmly embedding business ethics competencies in education in the fields of economics and the social sciences.
Bildung Wir setzen uns dafür ein, wirtschaftsethische Kompetenzen fest in der wirtschafts- und sozialwissenschaftlichen Ausbildung zu verankern.