Hertie Stiftung

The Hertie Foundation (Gemeinnützige Hertie-Stiftung) is one of Germany's largest private foundations, established in 1974. It focuses on two main areas: strengthening democracy and studying the brain. In the democracy domain, the foundation supports projects that promote good governance, democratic public sphere, and social cohesion. It funds initiatives that enhance citizen participation, media literacy, and social integration. The foundation also runs programs like the Hertie School in Berlin, which offers graduate education in governance and public policy. In neuroscience, the Hertie Foundation is a major private funder of brain research in Germany and Europe. It supports clinical brain research, particularly through the Hertie Institute for Clinical Brain Research in Tübingen. The foundation also funds multiple sclerosis research and initiatives for innovative research, education, and communication in neuroscience. The Hertie Foundation's assets are valued at approximately 1 billion euros, with an annual endowment of 25-30 million euros. While specific funding criteria and typical project amounts are not publicly disclosed, the foundation supports a wide range of initiatives from educational programs to research institutions. Recent projects include the Hertie Commission on Democracy Education and the Fund for Anti-Semitism Prevention and Education, reflecting the foundation's commitment to addressing contemporary societal challenges.