Oberfrankenstiftung is a regional grant-making foundation focused on projects of supra-local importance for Upper Franconia, with a strong public-benefit orientation across social services, arts and culture, monument preservation, and science/research. It tends to support institutions, municipalities, and nonprofit organizations working on larger-scale or model projects rather than individual applicants, and it often prioritizes initiatives that strengthen regional identity, infrastructure, and collaboration. Its funding is especially distinctive for backing heritage preservation and university/technology cooperation in Upper Franconia.
Focus Areas
Upper Franconia Regional DevelopmentMonument Preservation and Historic Building RestorationArts, Culture, and Museum ProjectsScience and Research CollaborationUniversity and Technology Transfer PartnershipsInnovative Social Service and Child/Youth Programs
Giving Approach
Application-based grantmaking with no fixed deadline in most programs; proposals are reviewed ahead of foundation board meetings, typically about four times per year. Grants are generally project-based and investment-oriented, often supporting only a portion of total costs (for example, science/research projects may receive up to 30%), and applicants must usually apply before work begins.
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How to approach this funder
Apply early and before project implementation begins, since funding decisions are made in advance of board meetings rather than on a rolling deadline schedule. Align your proposal clearly with Upper Franconian significance, nonprofit status, and one of the foundation’s priority areas; for heritage projects, document the monument-preservation added costs, and for research or social projects, emphasize regional collaboration, model value, and public benefit.
Open Grant Opportunities
Current and upcoming funding from Oberfrankenstiftung that your nonprofit may be able to apply for.
Open nowRolling / open intakeAward: Varies
Wissenschaft und Forschung
scienceresearchhigher education+1 more
Who can apply: Eligible applicants are Upper Franconian universities or other organizations carrying out scientific projects in Upper Franconia or with an Upper Franconian reference. Project outlines must be suitable for expert review; applications from chairs require a statement from university management. Submission and accounting must be digital in coordination with the Drittmittelstelle.
Deadline: No fixed deadline stated; digital submission required.
Who can apply: Projects and investments of overregional or overall Upper Franconian significance; applicants can be public-law bodies and charitable organizations, and in heritage conservation also private individuals. Measures below 5,000 EUR of eligible costs are usually not funded; grants under 1,000 EUR are generally not awarded. Applications must be submitted before the measure begins.
Deadline: No fixed deadline; applications must be submitted before project start.
Who can apply: Must be a charitable measure by a charitable organization. Care facilities are funded only if they have a special orientation (e.g. for people with disabilities). Other social facilities require a special innovative unique selling point. Modern educational institutions must have their own educational offering; church institutions require at least 50% church share. Environmental/nature measures are funded only if innovative.
Deadline: No fixed deadline; applications must be submitted before the project starts.
Who can apply: Must be a charitable measure of a charitable organization. Museums must employ scientifically qualified staff and involve the KulturServiceStelle of the district of Upper Franconia. Theater funding is possible only from four years after founding. Overregional cultural events are funded only for 25-year or multiple anniversaries or as start-up financing. Private individuals are generally not supported.
Deadline: No fixed deadline; applications must be submitted before the measure starts.
Who can apply: The monument must qualify under the Bavarian Monuments Protection Act. The monument-preservation additional cost must be established by the Bavarian State Office for Monument Preservation and documented in the application. A description of the monument and photo documentation are required. For settlement, proof of proper execution and the monument-preservation additional cost must be attached. Funding is limited to heritage conservation measures; private individuals are eligible.
Deadline: No fixed deadline; application must be made before the project begins.
WissenschaftForschungHochschulkooperationen+1 more
Who can apply: Antragsberechtigt sind oberfränkische Hochschulen oder andere Träger, die wissenschaftliche Projekte in Oberfranken bzw. mit oberfränkischem Bezug durchführen. Lehrstühle müssen eine Stellungnahme der Hochschulleitung beifügen. Personalförderung: Prüfung, dass Beschäftigte nicht in mehreren Projekten abgerechnet werden.
Deadline: Keine formellen Fristen; Anträge werden vor Sitzungen des Stiftungsrats (ca. 4x/Jahr) zur Entscheidung vorgemerkt. Bearbeitung kann mehrere Monate wegen externer Gutachten dauern.
DenkmalpflegeSanierung von BaudenkmalenErhaltung historischer Bausubstanz
Who can apply: Zuwendungen auch an Privatpersonen möglich. Voraussetzung: Angabe des denkmalpflegerischen Mehraufwands (Festsetzung durch Bayer. Landesamt für Denkmalpflege), Beschreibung des Denkmals und Fotodokumentation. Bei Abrechnung: Bestätigung der unteren Denkmalschutzbehörde bzw. des Landesamts über ordnungsgemäße Ausführung.
Deadline: Keine formellen Fristen; Antrag muss rechtzeitig vor Beginn der Maßnahme gestellt werden. Entscheidungen durch Stiftungsrat (ca. 4x/Jahr).
Who can apply: Antragsberechtigt sind Körperschaften des öffentlichen Rechts und gemeinnützige Einrichtungen. Maßnahmen müssen gemeinnützig sein; Mindestförderfähige Kosten in der Regel ≥ 5.000 €. Zuwendungen unter 1.000 € werden nicht gewährt. Für bestimmte Einrichtungen (z. B. Pflegeheime) gelten zusätzliche Bedingungen.
Deadline: Keine formellen Fristen; Antrag muss rechtzeitig vor Beginn der Maßnahme gestellt werden. Entscheidungen erfolgen i.d.R. in Sitzungen des Stiftungsrats (ca. 4x/Jahr).
Deadlines and eligibility are summarized from public sources and may change — always confirm the details on the funder's official application page before applying.