Our Belief
Education is the key to a successful, self-determined life. It does not begin in the classroom and does not end with a degree—education accompanies people from early childhood through old age. The Friedel & Gisela Bohnenkamp Foundation views education as a lifelong process that opens up new opportunities at every stage of life and takes a holistic view of the individual.
The transitions between life stages deserve special attention: the move from daycare to elementary school, the transition to secondary school, entering vocational training or college, the start of one’s professional life, and reorientations in later adulthood. It is at these turning points that it is determined whether educational trajectories succeed or whether gaps emerge. Cultural education is an essential part of this understanding, as it opens up avenues that go beyond the purely cognitive.
Our Mission
The foundation promotes and shapes educational processes throughout the entire educational journey. We support people in successfully navigating transitions between life stages—from early childhood to old age. Our commitment is particularly focused on those who cannot fully realize their potential without support.
Bohnenkamp sets things in motion. This motto describes what drives us: We want to set education in motion—through initiatives that point beyond the status quo. We want to inspire people—by giving them confidence, guidance, and concrete opportunities. And we want to transform structures—by creating networks, bringing stakeholders together, and jointly shaping successful educational pathways.
Our View of Humanity
At the heart of our work is the individual, with their talents and potential. Our approach is resource-oriented: We focus not on deficits, but on what is inherent in a person and can be nurtured to reach its full potential. This view of humanity encompasses the whole person—cognitive abilities as well as physical health, creative development, and social participation.
Education succeeds when people gain confidence in their own abilities and protective factors are strengthened, enabling them to overcome challenges. That is why we combine our support with efforts to strengthen self-competence, motivation, and a healthy lifestyle.
Our Work
The Friedel & Gisela Bohnenkamp Foundation is a regionally focused foundation based in Osnabrück. We primarily support and organize projects in our region. Our strength lies in this connection: We are familiar with local structures, understand the needs, and work with stakeholders as equals.
Our funding is directed toward projects and initiatives that are innovative and professionally sound, based on well-founded knowledge, and aimed at achieving a sustainable impact. Our statutory mission extends beyond educational support: We are also committed to the arts, culture, and science; to environmental and nature conservation; to youth and senior citizen services; and to helping people in emergency situations.