Maecenata Stiftung

The Maecenata Foundation is a German nonprofit promoting civil society, philanthropy, dialogue, and transnational exchange.

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The Maecenata Foundation is a German-based independent think tank dedicated to enhancing and promoting civil society, civic engagement, philanthropy, and foundations. Operating under German civil law, the foundation is committed to fostering transnational and transcultural exchange, intercultural dialogue, and interdisciplinary work. Its mission encompasses advancing knowledge and understanding of civil society through research, academic teaching, and relevant publications, while also participating in and organizing the interplay between academia, politics, and the field in regard to civil society and philanthropy.

Founded in 2010 by Rupert Graf Strachwitz, the Maecenata Foundation emerged as an umbrella organization to consolidate and expand upon the activities of the Maecenata Institute for Philanthropy and Civil Society, which was established in 1997. The foundation's creation aimed to address the evolving needs of civil society and to provide a structured platform for research, dialogue, and advocacy in the realms of civic engagement and philanthropy. Since 2015, all programs have operated from the foundation's Berlin office, reflecting a strategic shift to centralize operations and enhance its impact.

The Maecenata Foundation is governed by a supervisory board and an executive board, comprising individuals with expertise in various fields related to civil society and philanthropy. The foundation's staff includes a mix of full-time employees, student assistants, and volunteers, all dedicated to the foundation's mission across its three permanent programs:

Maecenata Institute: Focuses on interdisciplinary research and academic teaching related to civil society, philanthropy, and foundations.
Transnational Giving: Facilitates international donations, enabling donors to support charitable causes across borders while benefiting from tax advantages.
Tocqueville Forum: Serves as a networking and support platform for civil society organizations, fostering dialogue and collaboration.

The Maecenata Foundation's activities are supported through a combination of funding sources:

Donations: Approximately 50,000 donors contribute annually to approved organisations within Transnational Giving.
Grants: The foundation receives occasional grants from governmental bodies such as the European Commission and the German government, as well as from non-governmental organizations like the Open Society Foundations and the Gulbenkian Foundation.

-Endowment: While the foundation's endowment is modest, it provides a stable financial base for its operations

The Maecenata Foundation stands as a pivotal institution in the realm of civil society and philanthropy, dedicated to fostering knowledge, dialogue, and collaboration across borders. Through its research, educational programs, and advocacy efforts, the foundation continues to contribute to the development of a vibrant and resilient civil society, both in Germany and internationally.

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Maecenata Stiftung is hosted at Myriad USA

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Fundraiser by Meredith Applegate

Partnerships for Integrity

Why support democracy defenders? When democracies fail, it is people who suffer. In countries everywhere, democratic belief, behavior, and systems are under hybrid attack. The threat may differ in type or degree (and be internal, external, or both), but the ingredients are the same—discord, polarization, corruption, institutional capture, digital intrusion, and the dissolution of truth. The resulting paralysis, apathy, or radicalization is the point, because passive or divided democracies are easier to destroy. At Partnerships for Integrity (P4I), we know that democracy is both a governing system and a culture; countering hybrid threats demands nurturing democratic values, cultivating behaviors that sustain democracy, and defending its bedrock laws and institutions. Some of this work is highly technical, some of it is inspirational; all of it depends on partnership and connection. We know this because we have done it. Side by side with governments, legislatures, institutions, and communities - strengthening democracy from the inside out. Why donate to us? We are choosing to work differently. Six women from six different countries founded Partnerships for Integrity (P4I) with a clear principle: collaboration over competition. We recognize the wisdom, expertise, and experience of our partners, and these partnerships are built on trust and shared purpose. With decades of global experience, we bring technical depth and a commitment to genuine, lasting collaboration—from grassroots movements to government institutions. No quick fixes. No box checking. Just integrity in action. We work on hard topics, in tough places, placing partnership and integrity at the core of everything we do. We leverage an agile, bottom-up design to deliver cost efficiency, faster execution, and the elimination of sectoral silos. How do we create change? Democratic Governance: We support institutions from design to delivery - building justice systems, electoral processes, executive leadership, and digital integrity. Democratic Culture: We promote inclusion, participation, and civic engagement from the grassroots up. We embed values inside systems and across societies. Technology & Democracy: We advise governments on the governance of AI and emerging technologies - ensuring these tools strengthen rather than undermine democracy. Maecenata US Fund, TG25173 Partnerships for Integrity (P4I)

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Maecenata Stiftung is hosted at Myriad USA

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craig and lisa murray
To the fundraiser: Partnerships for Integrity
Deborah Owen
To the fundraiser: Partnerships for Integrity