Software AG – Stiftung is a large German foundation that supports long-term human and social development, with a strong emphasis on early childhood, schools, children and youth services, care for older adults, and support for people with assistance needs. Its broader mission also extends into health, inclusion, agriculture, and nature conservation, suggesting interest in holistic, community-based work rather than narrowly defined programmatic giving. The foundation appears to favor practical, mission-aligned organizations in Germany and Europe, and it also runs a separate rapid-response fund for refugee integration and civic engagement.
Annual Giving$27.5M
Focus Areas
Early Childhood EducationSchool-Based Youth DevelopmentChildren and Youth ServicesSupport for People with Disabilities / Assistance NeedsElder Care and Care ServicesRefugee Integration and Civic Engagement
Giving Approach
Mix of rolling general project grants and fast, low-bureaucracy special-purpose grants. General grants are project-based and can be submitted at any time, while the "Auf Augenhöhe" fund makes smaller rapid-response awards of up to about €5,000 for refugee-support and integration initiatives.
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How to approach this funder
General project proposals can be submitted year-round, so applicants should align closely with the foundation’s listed themes and demonstrate long-term benefit for people and society. For the "Auf Augenhöhe" fund, keep requests small, concrete, and low-bureaucracy, with a clear connection to refugees, newly arrived people, or neighborhood-level civic engagement in Germany.
Open Grant Opportunities
Current and upcoming funding from Software AG – Stiftung that your nonprofit may be able to apply for.
Open nowRolling / open intakeAward: Varies
Allgemeine Projektförderung / Förderanträge
ElementarpädagogikHilfe für Menschen im AlterHilfe für Menschen mit Assistenzbedarf+5 more
Who can apply: Förderfähig sind ausschließlich gemeinnützige Organisationen und Initiativen; Antragsteller dürfen keine natürlichen Personen sein. Das Projekt muss zu den Förderschwerpunkten der Stiftung passen und darf nicht überwiegend laufende Betriebskosten decken. In der Regel keine Förderung für temporäre Aktionen wie Tagungen/Symposien, Ferien- oder Freizeitmaßnahmen, Stipendien sowie Verbandsarbeit/verwaltende Tätigkeiten.
Deadline: Laufende Antragstellung ohne Fristen oder feste Budgets.
Who can apply: Only nonprofit institutions and initiatives are funded. Projects should align with the foundation's funding priorities and serve the common good. Natural persons and non-profit organizations are not eligible; requests for operating costs, stipends, leisure activities, association work, or temporary events are generally excluded.
Deadline: No fixed deadlines; applications can be submitted on a rolling basis.
agriculturenature conservationbiodynamic farming+6 more
Who can apply: Only nonprofit institutions and initiatives are funded. Projects should align with the foundation's funding priorities and serve the common good. Natural persons and non-profit organizations are not eligible; requests for operating costs, stipends, leisure activities, association work, or temporary events are generally excluded.
Deadline: No fixed deadlines; applications can be submitted on a rolling basis.
integrative medicineanthroposophic medicinemedical research+3 more
Who can apply: Only nonprofit institutions and initiatives are funded. Projects should align with the foundation's funding priorities and serve the common good. Natural persons and non-profit organizations are not eligible; requests for operating costs, stipends, leisure activities, association work, or temporary events are generally excluded.
Deadline: No fixed deadlines; applications can be submitted on a rolling basis.
disability inclusionassistance needshousing+6 more
Who can apply: Only nonprofit institutions and initiatives are funded. Projects should align with the foundation's funding priorities and serve the common good. Natural persons and non-profit organizations are not eligible; requests for operating costs, stipends, leisure activities, association work, or temporary events are generally excluded.
Deadline: No fixed deadlines; applications can be submitted on a rolling basis.
children and youthchild welfareyouth development+6 more
Who can apply: Only nonprofit institutions and initiatives are funded. Projects should align with the foundation's funding priorities and serve the common good. Natural persons and non-profit organizations are not eligible; requests for operating costs, stipends, leisure activities, association work, or temporary events are generally excluded.
Deadline: No fixed deadlines; applications can be submitted on a rolling basis.
Who can apply: Only nonprofit institutions and initiatives are funded. Projects should align with the foundation's funding priorities and serve the common good. Natural persons and non-profit organizations are not eligible; requests for operating costs, stipends, leisure activities, association work, or temporary events are generally excluded.
Deadline: No fixed deadlines; applications can be submitted on a rolling basis. School start-up projects should be submitted in the previous year with sufficient lead time.
early childhood educationkindergartensnurseries+5 more
Who can apply: Only nonprofit institutions and initiatives are funded. Projects should align with the foundation's funding priorities and serve the common good. Natural persons and non-profit organizations are not eligible; requests for operating costs, stipends, leisure activities, association work, or temporary events are generally excluded.
Deadline: No fixed deadlines; applications can be submitted on a rolling basis. For school start-up projects, documents should be submitted in the previous year with sufficient lead time.
Deadlines and eligibility are summarized from public sources and may change — always confirm the details on the funder's official application page before applying.