Draft:Patrizia Foundation

The Patrizia Foundation (own spelling PATRIZIA Foundation) invests globally in infrastructure in the education, healthcare, and childcare sectors with the clear goal of empowering children and young adults to live free self-determined lives through access to quality education. The schools, healthcare facilities, childcare centres and children's homes are operated by local and established partner organizations in close collaboration with the Patrizia Foundation for at least 25 years of partnership.

Since 1999, the Foundation has provided over 700,000 children and young adults with access to education, healthcare, and care. In 2024, there are 25  KinderHaus projects worldwide in 15 countries on five continents. The foundation's stated vision is to give one million children and teenagers access the world the opportunity of a self-determined future through better access to education by 2030.

Establishment and development

The foundation, which is recognised as a non-profit organization in Germany and the UK, is based in Augsburg, Germany and was established on 22 December 1999 by Wolfgang Egger (founder of the PATRIZIA SE) under the name Patrizia KinderHaus-Stiftung. In September 2018, the managing Patrizia Foundation was established as a co-dependent, non-profit foundation under private law as part of its sponsorship and fiduciary duties. The foundation remains independent. In spring 2024 the independent PATRIZIA Foundation UK COI was established with an office in London with British composer Lord Andrew Lloyd Webber and Lady Lloyd Webber as global ambassadors. The first project in the UK is a cooperation with the renowned British organisation "Music in Secondary Schools Trust" (MiSST), an organisation that gives pupils from poor or educationally disadvantaged families access to instruments and classical music lessons.

The foundation is a member of the German Donations Council, the Federal Association of German Foundations and the German Fundraising Association. It is also involved in the Transparent Civil Society Initiative. The British foundation is also registered with fundraising regulator.

To mark its 25th anniversary in 2025, the foundation is launching the PRIME25 Alliance, a network of strong partners from medium-sized businesses who are taking on responsibility together according to the motto "Do good - Be great". The alliance's media partner is the business magazine 'brand eins'.

Principles

The foundation's mission is clear: to provide children and young adults worldwide with access to high-quality educational, health and welfare infrastructure and programmes. The foundation fills gaps in local infrastructure with schools, kindergartens, children's hospitals, orphanages, vocational training centres and student homes. This enables them to live empowered and independently. Education is the key to a bright future and can break the cycle of poverty.

The project work is fully funded by donations. Thanks to a yearly donation from the Patrizia SE, the foundation can channel 100% of donations directly to project work. The projects are based on the principle of Capacity building and are set to run for at least 25 years.

The foundation acts in line with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), with a particular focus on SDG 4, which is to ensure everyone has access to quality education. Furthermore, the foundation is committed to achieving the following SDGs: SDG 1 (No Poverty), SDG 2 (Zero Hunger), SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being), and SDG 10 (Reducing Inequalities).

Projects

The Patrizia Foundation is involved in a total of 25 projects and several educational or digitalization programs worldwide. In the education sector, the foundation has so far successfully established 14 educational institutions, ranging from early childhood education to primary and secondary schools and vocational training. Several more educational projects are currently under construction  or in the planning stage.

The foundation oversees four KinderHaus-projects in Europe, five in Asia, 14 in Africa, one in South and one in Central America. Its core belief that a secure home and good health are the foundation for high-quality learning is evident in its four established health facilities.

The foundation’s "Ready for the Future" program focuses on preparing the younger generation for the digital future by training them in digital media and modern teaching and learning methods. By introducing the UNHCR Essence of Learning program, which provides training for educators with a child-centred and state of the art pedagogical approach, the foundation aims to create a good learning experience for children of all age groups.

The foundation has secured the support of the football player and world champion Mario Götze, the former Sporting Director at FC Bayern München, Halil Altıntop, as well as Augsburg's Primary Mayor Eva Weber, for its Hearts4Change campaign. These individuals will serve as volunteer ambassadors for the Foundation's initiatives in Augsburg and beyond. In Augsburg, the foundation is spearheading the Ziegelhof project, while also extending its support to the Ukrainian Saturday School in the wake of Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

Leadership

The foundation is represented externally by a managing board of directors. The Foundation Council monitors the Foundation Board, decides on new projects, and is advised by the Foundation Advisory Board. All committee members work exclusively on a voluntary basis.

Since the 1st of April 2023, Managing Director Astrid Gabler, formerly Head of Communications and Programmes at the Fugger Foundations, has represented and managed the foundation.

After one year as Managing Director, Astrid Gabler was elected Chairwoman of the Board by the Patrizia Foundation Board on 15 April 2024. With Astrid Gabler as Chairwoman of the Board, the Patrizia Foundation aims to expand its partners and continue its pioneering projects to improve education, healthcare and welfare for disadvantaged children and young people worldwide.

Financing

The foundation is funded exclusively through donations and sponsorships. Every donation goes 100% to the projects, as the Patrizia SE covers the operational costs of the foundation through an annual donation. Patrizia SE also provides the foundation with office space. The use of funds and the charitable status of the foundation are audited annually by the government of Swabia, Germany.

Weblinks

• Website PATRIZIA Foundation
• Website PATRIZIA Foundation UK