The Breuninger Foundation was established in 1968 by the businessman Heinz Breuninger and his daughter Dr. Helga Breuninger who were convinced that the solution to social problems depends on the interaction of the civil society and politics and that foundations must play a formative role in this process.

As founder Heinz Breuninger’s approach to his first project was that of a businessman: he enabled university professors and doctors whom he met personally to explore new avenues and realize research-oriented projects without the restraints of bureaucracy. Founders of this kind do not only grant funding, they also provide impulses, decide on content and invest in processes they consider important. As a result they act – like Heinz Breuninger – as health, cultural or social entrepreneur.

Helga Breuninger has been head of the organization since the death of Heinz Breuninger in 1980. Her way of thinking was formed by that of her father, and this gives the Breuninger Foundation its unique profile: operative and innovative, solution-oriented and cooperative. In the course of 40 years of operative foundation work we have acquired a process competence for the moderation of participation projects, built up a local, national and international network and developed as hosts a culture of encounter.