Bikubenfonden

Bikubenfonden is a Danish commercial foundation (erhvervsdrivende fond) whose roots trace back to Sparekassen Bikuben, a savings bank established in 1857. Over more than a century and a half the institution has repeatedly changed form, and today it operates as an independent philanthropic foundation rather than a bank. Its stated purpose is to help solve some of society's complex problems by working with others, addressing root causes, testing new solutions, and training the ability to imagine social change. The foundation organises its work around three missions: creating better conditions for young people in vulnerable positions; giving art a central place in society; and ensuring more biodiversity in nature. It typically acts through partnerships and coalitions rather than standalone grants. Since 2016 it has led the "Hjem til alle" (Home for Everyone) alliance against youth homelessness together with Realdania and later additional partners. In Svanninge Bjerge it experiments with ecosystem-services-based nature management alongside HedeDanmark, developing a standard others can use. On the art side it initiated Art Hub Copenhagen, providing studios, workshops and exhibition space, and it runs the annual Udstillingsprisen Vision exhibition prize. Bikubenfonden is also known for Kongeparrets Priser (the Royal Couple's Prizes), formerly Kronprinsparrets Priser until 2025, awarded in collaboration with DR and the Royal House in three categories — social work, arts and culture, and community. Winners receive a monetary award plus a tailored development programme. The foundation initiated Thoravej 29, a professional community in Copenhagen's NV quarter hosting around 30 organisations working on art, social innovation, sustainability, democracy, digital innovation and policy; the building itself is a converted industrial structure designed around maximum material reuse. Financially, the foundation reported a balance of DKK 2.3 billion at the end of 2024. Its board consists of six to eight members elected for two-year terms; in March 2025 Maria Rørbye Rønn took over as chair. The foundation has undergone several mergers: in 2001 BG Fonden merged with BG Jubilæumsfond and BG Håndværks- og Industrifond, and in 2010 it merged with the commercial Bikuben Fonden af 1989, created when Sparekassen Bikuben converted to a limited company, adopting the name Bikubenfonden.

Bikubenfonden's history begins with Sparekassen Bikuben, a Danish savings bank founded in 1857. For well over a century the savings bank was the institutional core, and its identity and assets eventually gave rise to the modern foundation. The foundation has changed form several times, reflecting both the transformation of Danish savings banks and the evolving role of commercial foundations in Danish civil society. A key structural change came when Sparekassen Bikuben converted into a limited company (aktieselskab). In connection with that conversion, the commercial Bikuben Fonden af 1989 was established. This entity carried forward the philanthropic and ownership functions associated with the former savings bank. In 2001, BG Fonden merged with BG Jubilæumsfond and BG Håndværks- og Industrifond, consolidating several related foundation bodies. Then in 2010 the foundation merged with the commercial Bikuben Fonden af 1989, and the combined foundation took the name Bikubenfonden. This 2010 merger is the direct origin of the present-day organisation. In the years that followed, Bikubenfonden sharpened its mission-driven approach. It defined three overarching missions: creating better conditions for young people in vulnerable positions, giving art a central place in society, and ensuring more biodiversity in nature. Rather than acting as a traditional grant-making body alone, it increasingly worked through partnerships, coalitions and experimental laboratories. Since 2016 it has taken the initiative in the "Hjem til alle" alliance against youth homelessness, initially with Realdania and later with additional partners. In Svanninge Bjerge it has experimented with nature management based on ecosystem services together with HedeDanmark, developing a standard for biodiversity work. On the art side it initiated Art Hub Copenhagen, offering studios, workshops and exhibition spaces, and it runs the annual Udstillingsprisen Vision. It also initiated Thoravej 29, a professional community in Copenhagen's NV quarter hosting around 30 organisations, housed in a converted industrial building designed around material reuse. The foundation is behind Kongeparrets Priser (the Royal Couple's Prizes), known until 2025 as Kronprinsparrets Priser, awarded in collaboration with DR and the Royal House. It also launched "En Vej til Alle," a coalition addressing the 43,000 young people neither in education nor work, and "Snart – Laboratoriet for Mulige Fremtider," a laboratory for possible futures. At the end of 2024 the foundation reported a balance of DKK 2.3 billion. Its board consists of six to eight members elected for two-year terms. In March 2025 Maria Rørbye Rønn became chair of the board.

• 2025

  Maria Rørbye Rønn becomes chair of the board in March; Kronprinsparrets Priser is renamed Kongeparrets Priser.

• 2024

  The foundation reports a balance of DKK 2.3 billion at year-end.

• 2016

  Bikubenfonden initiates the "Hjem til alle" alliance against youth homelessness with Realdania.

• 2010

  The foundation merges with the commercial Bikuben Fonden af 1989 and adopts the name Bikubenfonden.

• 2001

  BG Fonden merges with BG Jubilæumsfond and BG Håndværks- og Industrifond.

• 1989

  Bikuben Fonden af 1989 is created in connection with Sparekassen Bikuben's conversion to a limited company.

• 1857

  Sparekassen Bikuben, the savings bank at the root of the foundation, is established.

An independent Danish commercial foundation that acts as a philanthropic change-maker, working through partnerships and coalitions to address root causes of complex societal problems in youth welfare, art, and biodiversity.

1. 1Forside | Bikubenfondenbikubenfonden.dk
2. 2Bikubenfonden – Wikidatawikidata.org
3. 3Bikubenfonden – Wikipedia (Danish)da.wikipedia.org