The Polytechnic Foundation of Frankfurt am Main

The Polytechnic Foundation of Frankfurt am Main, founded in 2005 by the Polytechnische Gesellschaft e.V., is one of the largest private foundations in Germany. With an initial capital of 397 million euros generated from the sale of the Frankfurter Sparkasse to the Landesbank Hessen-Thüringen (Helaba), and a current foundation asset of over 515 million euros (as of October 31, 2023), the foundation is extensively engaged in the Frankfurt urban society[2].

The Polytechnic Foundation aims to strengthen social cohesion and promote education, skills, and participation in the community. Its work focuses on three central areas:

• Education, Science, and Technology: Here, projects such as "Deutschsommer," "Young Researchers," and the "Junior Engineer Academy" are supported to strengthen the educational landscape and vocational training in Frankfurt[2][4].
• Art, Culture, and Cultural Heritage: The foundation promotes cultural education and the preservation of cultural heritage through projects like the "Opera Studio" and "Concert Educational Projects"[2].
• Social, Charitable, and Humanitarian: Initiatives such as "Baby Guides," "Neighborhood Ambassadors," and "Welcome Days in Early Parenthood" contribute to social and humanitarian support in Frankfurt[2].

The foundation develops and promotes a variety of projects that span the educational biography of people in Frankfurt. Notable projects include:

• Deutschsommer: A language support project that has existed since 2007, helping elementary school children improve their German skills playfully and strengthen their self-confidence[4].
• Sustainability Practitioners: A four-month program that supports individuals aged 18 and older in making their daily lives more sustainable by offering regular meetings and expert presentations[3].
• Democracy Education: The foundation intensifies its commitment to democracy education with programs like "Young Paulskirche," "Democracy in the City," and "Political Guides – Paths to City Politics," to convey democratic values and promote active participation[1].

The Polytechnic Foundation actively advocates for sustainability. The "Sustainability Practitioners" program is an example of how the foundation supports individuals in achieving their personal sustainability goals, thereby contributing to a more sustainable urban society. Other initiatives focus on topics such as energy, nutrition, climate, mobility, and sustainable consumption[3].

The Polytechnic Foundation is regularly recognized for its extensive social and cultural engagement. Johann-Peter Krommer, a former board member, was awarded the Hessian Order of Merit for his outstanding achievements in the fields of education and integration[1]. The foundation also received the German Donor Award 2016 for the establishment of the Polytechnic Foundation, the Frankfurt Foundation for the Blind and Visually Impaired, and the Wöhler Foundation[2].

The Polytechnic Foundation of Frankfurt am Main is a central actor in the Frankfurt urban society, contributing through its diverse projects and initiatives to promote a modern, citizen-oriented, and sustainable city.

• 1 - https://sptg.de
• 2 - https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stiftung_Polytechnische_Gesellschaft
• 3 - https://www.unesco.de/bildung/bne-akteure/nachhaltigkeitspraktiker-stiftung-polytechnische-gesellschaft
• 4 - https://www.xing.com/pages/stiftung-polytechnische-gesellschaft
• 5 - https://sptg.de/files/Mediathek/SPTG/Dateien-Dokumente/Flyer-Magazine-Broschueren/sptg_stiftungsverfassung.pdf