Founder invited to the Chancellery

Nine German philanthropists met with German Chancellor Angela Merkel at the Chancellor's Office in Berlin in September 2011. Also present was Gisela Bohnenkamp, founder of the Friedel & Gisela Bohnenkamp Foundation.

All of the founder personalities who attended the meeting in Berlin were themselves entrepreneurs or came from a successful family business. The Chancellor was particularly interested in why and for what purpose the participants established their charitable foundations. "For me, a foundation is an expression of voluntary service to the community. I am grateful to have met these dedicated people today. Where they and the thousands of other founders are active, public spirit and a willingness to take responsibility are at the forefront. Many thanks for that," said the Chancellor at the one-hour meeting.

The discussion also focused on what the state can do to promote further growth in the foundation sector. The German government had already announced "systematic support for foundations" last year in its National Engagement Strategy. The Association of German Foundations calls for foundations not to be perceived as mere providers of capital for original government tasks, but for their expertise to be recognized as providers of ideas for a better society.