Rudolf Augstein Stiftung

The Rudolf Augstein Stiftung is a non-profit and independent foundation under German civil law (Stiftung bürgerlichen Rechts) headquartered in Hamburg. It was founded in 2005 and began its grant-making activity in 2006, in memory of Rudolf Augstein, the journalist, publicist and publisher of the news magazine Der Spiegel, one of the most influential German journalists of the 20th century. The foundation's endowment derives from Augstein's private estate; as early as the 1960s he had decided that part of his legacy should benefit civil society. The foundation works as a grant-making foundation (Förderstiftung), continuing Augstein's philanthropic engagement in a contemporary form. Its funding is concentrated in three areas that reflect the causes he supported during his lifetime: journalism, art, and social affairs. In journalism it strengthens critical and independent journalism; in the social field it aims to improve the starting and development opportunities of disadvantaged children and young people; and in art it enables artistic experiments. Grants are decided by the foundation's board (Vorstand), while a board of trustees (Kuratorium) advises on substantive questions; members of both bodies serve on an honorary basis. The foundation's capital amounts to approximately 33 million euros. It approves roughly one million euros per year for funding projects, distributed evenly across the three funding areas. Since its founding it has supported more than 1,200 projects with a total funding volume of around 15 million euros. Within the German foundation landscape, the Rudolf Augstein Stiftung describes itself as a medium-sized foundation. In line with Rudolf Augstein's wishes, the honorary board was initially composed of three members of his family. Anna Augstein, to whom Rudolf Augstein was married in his last marriage, is chair of the board and responsible for the foundation's support of artistic interests. Franziska Augstein, a daughter of Rudolf Augstein, is deputy chair and represents the social area, which aims to improve the starting and development opportunities of disadvantaged children and young people. Jakob Augstein, a son of Rudolf Augstein and publisher of the weekly newspaper Der Freitag, looked after the foundation's journalism branch until early 2022; since April 2022 this area has been the responsibility of Stephanie Reuter. The foundation has supported a range of civil-society projects and initiatives. Until 2009 it funded the association Reporter-Forum e. V., which awards the Deutscher Reporterpreis. In 2019, among others, the investigative network Investigate Europe received support. The foundation also participates in public initiatives such as the Hamburger Woche der Pressefreiheit, an action week initiated by the Körber-Stiftung and the ZEIT STIFTUNG BUCERIUS that brings together more than 50 partners; within that framework the foundation supported the special exhibition "Nachrichten – News" at the Museum der Arbeit, which opened on 13 October and looks behind the scenes of agencies, editorial offices and correspondents to show how news is produced, distributed and perceived.

The Rudolf Augstein Stiftung was founded by Rudolf Augstein, the German journalist, publicist and publisher of Der Spiegel. It is based in Hamburg. As early as the 1960s, Augstein decided that part of his estate should benefit civil society. The foundation was established in 2005 and, according to its own account, began its grant-making activity in 2006 in memory of its founder and namesake. Its funds come from Rudolf Augstein's private estate. The foundation is a non-profit and independent foundation under German civil law (Stiftung bürgerlichen Rechts) with its seat in Hamburg. As a grant-making foundation (Förderstiftung), it continues Rudolf Augstein's philanthropic engagement in a contemporary form, supporting projects and initiatives of civil society. During his lifetime Augstein advocated quality journalism, disadvantaged children and young people, and the arts; the foundation's funding activity therefore extends across these three areas: journalism, art and social affairs. Grants are decided by the foundation's board (Vorstand), while a board of trustees (Kuratorium) advises on substantive questions. Members of both bodies work on an honorary basis. The foundation's capital amounts to approximately 33 million euros. It approves roughly one million euros per year for funding projects, distributed evenly across the three funding areas. Since its founding it has supported more than 1,200 projects with a funding volume of around 15 million euros. Within the German foundation landscape, the Rudolf Augstein Stiftung is a medium-sized foundation. In accordance with Rudolf Augstein's wishes, the honorary board was initially composed of three members of his family. Anna Augstein, to whom Rudolf Augstein was married in his last marriage, is the chair of the board and is responsible for the foundation's support of artistic interests. Franziska Augstein, a daughter of Rudolf Augstein, is deputy chair and represents the social area, which aims to improve the starting and development opportunities of disadvantaged children and young people. Jakob Augstein, a son of Rudolf Augstein and publisher of the weekly newspaper Der Freitag, looked after the foundation's journalism branch until early 2022. Since April 2022 this area has been the responsibility of Stephanie Reuter. The foundation funded the association Reporter-Forum e. V., which awards the Deutscher Reporterpreis, until 2009. In 2019, among others, the investigative network Investigate Europe was supported. The foundation also takes part in public initiatives such as the Hamburger Woche der Pressefreiheit, an action week initiated by the Körber-Stiftung and the ZEIT STIFTUNG BUCERIUS that brings together more than 50 partners; within that framework, the foundation supported the special exhibition "Nachrichten – News" at the Museum der Arbeit, which opened on 13 October and looks behind the scenes of agencies, editorial offices and correspondents to show how news is produced, distributed and perceived.

• 2022

  Stephanie Reuter takes over responsibility for the journalism area in April, succeeding Jakob Augstein.

• 2019

  The investigative network Investigate Europe, among others, receives funding.

• 2009

  The foundation ends its funding of Reporter-Forum e. V., which awards the Deutscher Reporterpreis.

• 2006

  The foundation begins its grant-making activity in memory of its founder and namesake.

• 2005

  The Rudolf Augstein Stiftung is founded.

• 1960

  Rudolf Augstein decides that part of his estate should benefit civil society.

A medium-sized, non-profit grant-making foundation within the German foundation landscape, continuing Rudolf Augstein's philanthropic commitment to journalism, social causes and the arts.

1. 1Rudolf Augstein Stiftung – Impulse setzen, Perspektiven schaffen, Außergewöhnliches ermöglichenrudolf-augstein-stiftung.de
2. 2Über uns – Rudolf Augstein Stiftungrudolf-augstein-stiftung.de
3. 3Rudolf Augstein Stiftungwikidata.org
4. 4Rudolf Augstein Stiftungde.wikipedia.org