Mary Foundation

The Mary Foundation (Danish: Mary Fonden), formally H.M. Queen Mary's Foundation, is a Danish philanthropic foundation established in 2006 by Crown Princess Mary, now Queen Mary of Denmark. Its stated purpose is to prevent and alleviate social isolation and exclusion, and its guiding idea is that everyone has the right to belong. The foundation traces its origins to May 2004, when DKK 1.1 million was collected in Denmark and Greenland and presented as a wedding gift to the Crown Prince and Crown Princess; Crown Princess Mary then took the first steps toward the current foundation in 2006. The foundation is chaired by Queen Mary. The foundation works across three main areas: children and young people, adults in vulnerable situations, and families affected by violence or social isolation. Its flagship programme, Fri For Mobberi (Free from Bullying), was created in collaboration with Save the Children Denmark (Red Barnet) to prevent bullying in nurseries, childminders, kindergartens and the first years of school. Another well-known initiative, Antibulli, is a well-being tool for leisure communities that celebrated its tenth anniversary in 2026. The foundation also supports health visitors in Copenhagen in systematically detecting violence in families with small children, and organises backpack-packing for children at crisis centres. The Mary Foundation operates primarily in Denmark and Greenland, often in partnership with public institutions, NGOs and research centres such as the Centre for Youth Studies (CUR). It is an independent foundation rather than a commercial company, and it does not sell products; its 'offerings' are social programmes, campaigns and knowledge. Its work is closely associated with the Danish royal family and with Queen Mary's social patronage. Because it is a foundation rather than a business, the Mary Foundation is best understood as a social-purpose brand. Its public profile rests on research-based programmes, royal engagement and long-term partnerships. The foundation communicates through its website, Instagram and events, and its initiatives are frequently covered in Danish media. It remains active, with recent activities including the tenth anniversary of Antibulli in September 2026 and new research on children's organised leisure lives.

The Mary Foundation's history begins in May 2004, when DKK 1.1 million was collected in Denmark and Greenland and given as a wedding gift to the Crown Prince and Crown Princess. In 2006, Crown Princess Mary took the first steps toward the current foundation and established 'Mary Fonden – H.K.H. Kronprinsesse Marys Fond'. Much of the inspiration came from the Crown Princess's social work with patronages, through which it became clear that social isolation plays a particular role in many of the problems she encountered, as well as from other foundations around the world. The foundation's fundamental idea is that everyone has the right to belong. Its purpose, as described in its statutes, is to work for the benefit of children, adults and families where environment, heredity, illness or other circumstances have resulted in the individual feeling socially isolated or excluded, and to give the individual a better life, belonging and community, promote tolerance of difference and create hope. One of its best-known programmes, Fri For Mobberi, was created in collaboration with Save the Children Denmark to prevent bullying in nurseries, childminders, kindergartens and grades 0-3. In 2016 the foundation launched Antibulli, a well-being tool for leisure communities, which celebrated its tenth anniversary in September 2026 with Queen Mary giving an opening speech. The foundation has continued to develop research-based initiatives, including a 2026 study with the Centre for Youth Studies on children's organised leisure lives and a new screening model for health visitors in Copenhagen to detect violence in families with small children. It remains chaired by Queen Mary and active in Denmark and Greenland.

• DKK 1.1 million collected in Denmark and Greenland and given as a wedding gift to the Crown Prince and Crown Princess.

• Crown Princess Mary establishes 'Mary Fonden – H.K.H. Kronprinsesse Marys Fond'.

• Antibulli, a well-being tool for leisure communities, is launched.

• Antibulli's tenth anniversary celebrated with Queen Mary, sports stars and children.

A royal Danish foundation dedicated to preventing social isolation and promoting belonging, operating through research-based social programmes and partnerships.

• Fri For Mobberi

  An anti-bullying programme created with Save the Children Denmark for nurseries, childminders, kindergartens and grades 0-3.

• Antibulli

  A well-being tool for leisure communities, launched in 2016 and celebrating its tenth anniversary in 2026.

1. 1MaryFonden.dkmaryfonden.dk
2. 2Mary Fonden – Wikipediada.wikipedia.org
3. 3Mary Foundation – Wikidatawikidata.org