The Maecenata Foundation is an independent tax-exempt operating foundation under German law, specialising in the subjects of civil society, civic engagement, philanthropy and foundations. The foundation is strongly committed to transnational and transcultural exchange, intercultural dialogue, and interdisciplinary work.

The foundation views itself as an independent think tank. Its mission is

  1. to further and promote knowledge and understanding of civil society (aka the Nonprofit and Third Sector) through research in the humanities and social sciences, academic teaching, and relevant publications,
  2. to participate in and organize the interplay between academia, politics and the field in regard to civil society and philanthropy,
  3. to enhance and empower civil society and philanthropy as a vital contributor to a free society,
  4. to further the understanding of civil society as a cohesive and yet heterogeneous arena in the public sphere,
  5. to contribute to this understanding through particular projects and by providing an overall picture,
  6. to offer specific services in connection with its overall mission, in as far as its tax exemption does not preclude it from doing so.

The Foundation was founded in 2010 by Rupert Graf Strachwitz. Two pre-existing programmes were incorporated into the foundation. Read more

Stefan Wallner – Where Were You When Our Roots Were Uprooted?

Stefan Wallner – Where Were You When Our Roots Were Uprooted?

Observatorium 85 | November 2025 | An essay by Stefan Wallner on the necessity of abandoning cherished habits and choosing effectiveness in …

The Anti-NGO Narrative: The attempt to delegitimise civil society

The Anti-NGO Narrative: The attempt to delegitimise civil society

Civil society organisations (CSOs) are increasingly facing allegations and delegitimising attributions. The new publication The Anti-NGO …

Orbituary: Maecenata Foundation mourns the sudden and unexpected death of the director of its MENA Study Centre

Orbituary: Maecenata Foundation mourns the sudden and unexpected death of the director of its MENA Study Centre

Maecenata Foundation mourns the sudden and unexpected death of the director of its MENA Study Centre Prof. Dr. Udo …

Policy Paper: Agitating Against the State with Taxpayers’ Money?

Policy Paper: Agitating Against the State with Taxpayers’ Money?

Observatorium 83 | June 2025 | Rupert Graf Strachwitz sheds light on the accusations against civil society organisations and their …

Protest and Support – The Dual role of Israel’s Civil Society in 2023

Protest and Support – The Dual role of Israel’s Civil Society in 2023

Opusculum 191 | 28.05.2024 | The paper takes a look at various organisations that were active in the protests to preserve democracy and …

>>further news

Call on EU Institutions to safeguard democracy and foster civic space

Call on EU Institutions to safeguard democracy and foster civic space

16.09.2024 | 416 civil society organisations call on the EU Institutions to safeguard democracy and foster civic

“11 Trends in Philanthropy for 2023” published

“11 Trends in Philanthropy for 2023” published

29.08.2023 I "The philanthropic sector is an ecosystem: a web of interdependent actors, infinitely variable, striving constantly to build …

Summary of webinar on EU anti-money loundering & CTF policies

Summary of webinar on EU anti-money loundering & CTF policies

13.07.2023 I Philea and Civil Society Europe publish summary of their discussion "Philea and Civil Society Europe recently hosted a …

Call for Applications: Scholarships for PhD Candidates in Peace & Conflict Resolution

Call for Applications: Scholarships for PhD Candidates in Peace & Conflict Resolution

07.07.2023 I European Wasatia Graduate School for Peace and Conflict Resolution offers 10 scholarships Our foundation’s MENA Study …

Israel’s democratic civil society in times of war and democratic backsliding

Israel’s democratic civil society in times of war and democratic backsliding

Observatorium 84 I October 2025 | by Maja Sojref Since the massacres of 7 October 2023 in Southern Israel, the country’s …

The Anti-NGO Narrative: The attempt to delegitimise civil society

The Anti-NGO Narrative: The attempt to delegitimise civil society

Civil society organisations (CSOs) are increasingly facing allegations and delegitimising attributions. The new publication The Anti-NGO …

Policy Paper: Agitating Against the State with Taxpayers’ Money?

Policy Paper: Agitating Against the State with Taxpayers’ Money?

Observatorium 83 | June 2025 | Rupert Graf Strachwitz sheds light on the accusations against civil society organisations and their …

Civil Society is Here to Stay! A Report on the Shrinking Civic Space Project (2019-2023)

Civil Society is Here to Stay! A Report on the Shrinking Civic Space Project (2019-2023)

Opusculum 186 | 01.03.2024 | New report on the research and policy project conducted by the Maecenata Institute from 2019 to …

Contested Civic Spaces: A European Perspective

Contested Civic Spaces: A European Perspective

Maecenata Schriften |  Band 22 | 2023 For some years, we have observed a broad public discussion over the shrinking civic space. …

Maecenata: In a nutshell

Contact Transnational Giving

E-Mail: tg@maecenata.eu
Tel: +49 30 283 879 10-10

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