Software AG – Stiftung

The Software AG – Stiftung (SAGST) is an independent, non-profit charitable foundation under German civil law (rechtsfähige Stiftung bürgerlichen Rechts) based in Darmstadt, Germany. It was founded in 1992 by the IT pioneer Dr. h.c. Peter Schnell, who transferred 98% of the shares of the software company Software AG into the foundation in its founding year. Although the foundation was for many years the largest shareholder of Software AG, it has never been a corporate foundation (Unternehmensstiftung) in the sense of being tied to the company's business; it is a grant-making foundation that uses the income from its endowment to fund charitable causes. The foundation's endowment is invested broadly and according to sustainability criteria in real estate, equities, bonds and company participations. With assets of around €1.3 billion and annual funding of roughly €25 million, SAGST is one of the largest foundations in Germany. Its grant-making focuses primarily on Germany and Europe and covers fields such as care for the elderly and disabled, education, integrative/anthroposophic medicine, childhood and youth, and agriculture and nature conservation. The foundation supports many projects in the anthroposophic sphere, reflecting Peter Schnell's personal interest in anthroposophy. Notable interventions include helping to save the University of Witten/Herdecke from closure in 2009 and funding a professorship for Integrative and Anthroposophic Medicine at the Charité in Berlin. The foundation is not a commercial brand in the conventional sense, but it is a legally and publicly recognized entity with a distinct identity, a website, and a role as a major shareholder in a listed technology company. Its activities and public profile are tied to its philanthropic mission and its historical connection to Software AG.

The Software AG – Stiftung was founded in 1992 by Peter Schnell, the founder of Software AG, who transferred 98% of the company's shares into the foundation in that year. This made the foundation the largest shareholder of Software AG for many years. The foundation is an independent non-profit entity under German civil law, based in Darmstadt. It is not a corporate foundation tied to Software AG's business, but a grant-making foundation that uses the income from its endowment to support charitable projects. Over the years, the foundation's stake in Software AG has varied. By mid-2005, it held 31.3% of the outstanding shares, and by the end of 2010, 29%. At the end of 2018, the foundation's assets were approximately €1.08 billion, with a required preservation capital of about €138 million. The foundation's endowment is invested according to sustainability criteria in real estate, equities, bonds, and company participations. The foundation supports projects in education, child and youth welfare, disability assistance, elderly care, complementary medicine research, biodynamic research, reform pedagogy, and nature conservation. Many supported projects are in the anthroposophic sphere, reflecting Peter Schnell's personal interest. In 2009, the foundation helped save the University of Witten/Herdecke from closure. It also funded a professorship for Integrative and Anthroposophic Medicine at the Charité in Berlin, initially pledging €250,000 per year, and later approving €293,000 per year for an extension. In January 2023, a ZDFzoom report titled 'Anthroposophie - gut oder gefährlich?' critically examined anthroposophy, including the Software AG and its foundation.

• 2023

  ZDFzoom report 'Anthroposophie - gut oder gefährlich?' critically examines anthroposophy, including Software AG and the foundation.

• 2022

  Charité evaluation commission approves a five-year extension of the professorship; foundation transfers €293,000 per year.

• 2018

  Foundation assets approximately €1.08 billion; preservation capital about €138 million.

• 2017

  Harald Matthes appointed to the Charité professorship for Integrative and Anthroposophic Medicine, funded by the foundation.

• 2010

  Foundation's stake in Software AG stands at 29%.

• 2009

  Foundation funds help save the University of Witten/Herdecke from closure.

• 2005

  Foundation holds 31.3% of Software AG's outstanding shares.

• 1992

  Foundation established by Peter Schnell; 98% of Software AG shares transferred to the foundation.

Non-profit grant-making foundation and major shareholder of Software AG, focused on anthroposophic and social causes.

1. 1Software AG – Stiftung | Start |sagst.de
2. 2Software AG – Stiftungde.wikipedia.org
3. 3Software AG - Stiftungwikidata.org