As a non-profit foundation, we have been supporting civil society organizations for many years that advocate for political education, our democratic system, and an open culture of debate. The parliamentary inquiry by the CDU/CSU parliamentary group on »Political Neutrality of State-Funded Organizations« prompted us to write an Open Letter (german language) together with the Maecenata Foundation, der Rudolf Augstein Foundation and the Robert Bosch Foundation. In this letter, we emphasize the following points:

Democracy Needs Civil Society
In Germany, more than 600,000 non-profit organizations work to strengthen social cohesion, human rights, democratic education, and climate protection. They create important spaces for social exchange and debate. This engagement must not be generally called into question or restricted.

Facts Instead of Allegations
In an increasingly polarized discourse, it is essential for democratic parties at the center of the political spectrum not to adopt populist, overly simplistic narratives.

Political Advocacy and Non-Profit Status
Non-profit organizations are allowed to take political stances—this is not the same as engaging in party politics. To provide legal clarity in this area, we need a modernization of non-profit law. Last year, we already called on the federal government to take action through an Open Letter (german language).

Distinguishing Sources of Funding
Civil society organizations receive funding from diverse sources: membership fees, donations, and grants contribute to their financial independence. When applying for public funds, they are awarded based on transparent, criteria-based procedures, with clearly defined usage guidelines and state oversight.

The Association of German Foundations (Bundesverband Deutscher Stiftungen) has also published a statement on this parliamentary inquiry.

You can read the full open letter here (german language).