What We Do
Small Change for Culture & History
The small development fund for Culture & History
The foundation sees the ‘Small Change’ development fund as a search for initiatives or projects where ‘small money’ can have a big impact, i.e. can be expected to make a difference. A connection to the goals and programme of the foundation's work is essential.
The promotion of culture and the encouragement of creative artists is a particular concern of the Toepfer Foundation. However, as a medium-sized civil society institution, the foundation is neither in a position to provide substantial and long-term support for cultural institutions nor to secure the livelihood of artists. At the same time, private foundations fulfil an important role in stimulating innovation and change on a small scale and in providing funds for the new, the daring and the unexpected. We see culture as a place of encounter and discourse and are particularly interested in the contributions that cultural initiatives make to this, as well as in reaching marginalised target groups.
The Toepfer Foundation's ongoing task is to critically analyse its own history and the involvement of its founder in the National Socialist era. This results in a particular openness towards funding requests that seek an active and critical engagement with German and European history of the 20th century, projects that deal with the culture of remembrance and initiatives that use references to history to effectively combat anti-Semitism, racism and marginalisation. In this application process, the foundation is also open to enquiries from the field of monument protection and preservation.
For funding applications that do not relate to Small Change for Culture & History, please inform yourself about the general funding conditions of the Toepfer Foundation.
If you would like to submit a funding application for Small Change for Culture & History, please note the following points:
Please read the general funding conditions carefully
Please complete the application form below
Please provide us with a completed cost and financing plan via the application form (template see below)
Only fully completed applications can be considered
- Eligibility conditions
It follows from the requirements of Small Change that:
the applicants generally have non-profit status or cooperate with a non-profit organisation and make a demonstrable non-material or material contribution to the project. Where no non-profit status (yet) exists or individuals apply for funding, there is an increased requirement for transparency regarding the use of funds.
funding can be granted up to a maximum of € 5,000. An application for this maximum amount requires special justification; applications for smaller sums are more promising.
the Toepfer Foundation does not participate in projects with a total volume of more than € 25,000. This does not apply to start-up, preliminary or pre-project costs for larger projects.
the mere support of the regular operation of existing institutions or recurring, already established projects is excluded from funding, and
initiatives or projects can only be funded once and multiple applications by an institution within a financial year are excluded.
The following are generally excluded from funding on application:
Scholarships or individual aid within the meaning of Section 53 of the German Fiscal Code (charity)
covering subsequent budget gaps in existing projects as well as follow-up or shortfall financing
Grants for ongoing personnel costs
Grants for voluntary services abroad, school trips, school exchanges and participation in international school or student competitions (Model the UN, moot courts, simulations for the European Youth Parliament, etc.)
Regular activities within town twinning programmes
subsidies for printing costs or the funding of book, CD or film projects,
the purchase of capital goods for individuals or non-charitable organisations (film equipment, computers, vehicles, etc.)
Projects by independent artists or production costs for projects, provided they are not clearly related to the above-mentioned objectives.
Cultural education projects in schools. Hamburg initiatives in this area are referred to the ‘Culture & Schools’ project fund, in which the Toepfer Foundation participates.
The financial support of scientific conferences, symposia or conferences, doctorates or post-doctoral theses as well as other scientific research projects
The Foundation's funding to date has often taken into account projects that bring people together, are initiated or carried out on a voluntary basis and/or are innovative. In the application process, it is particularly important to state which target groups and effects are to be achieved with the activities applied for. The phrase ‘the general public’ does not constitute a target group description; the intended impact should also be described in concrete terms or by way of example.
Applications may only be submitted using one of the application forms provided below, which give you the opportunity to briefly describe your request and attach further documents. Please understand that we can only make a funding decision on the basis of fully completed application documents. Applications can only ever be submitted in one of the aforementioned categories; in the case of borderline cases or projects that pursue cross-fund objectives, applicants are requested to identify the focus of their activities themselves.
Without wishing to imply any entitlement to funding from the Toepfer Foundation, we would like to refer you to the Stiftung Mitarbeit publication, which may aid in formulating a funding application: Successfully Acquiring Funding.
The foundation endeavours to respond to such requests within one month. Unsolicited documents will not be returned and there is no entitlement to funding or justification for rejection.
- Cost and financing plan
- Submit funding application
Contact
Marina Meyer Assistant to the Chairman of the Board Office Management
+49 40 33 402 – 10meyer@toepfer-stiftung.de