Maintaining nature long-term as the livelihood of future generations.

Education is unimaginable without interpersonal encounter.

Strengthening children and youth in their individuality and development potential.

Putting personal encounters front and center.

Valuing human beings in all their dimensions.

   

THE SOFTWARE AG FOUNDATION

The Software AG Foundation (SAGST) is an independent charitable foundation under German civil law with headquarters in Darmstadt, Germany. We are not a corporate foundation; rather, the foundation is the principal shareholder in the Software AG company, also located in the research town of Darmstadt. The founder of both, the company and the foundation, is Dr. h. c. Peter Schnell, who in the 1990s transferred his company shares to the foundation.

Since its founding, SAGST has been using the profits on more than 1.2 billion euros in foundation assets to support projects organized by independent charitable organizations in Europe and Brazil that directly and exclusively serve the common good.

SAGST supports initiatives not only in the areas of Education, Children and Youth, Assistance for the Elderly and Individuals with Disabilitiese but also in Anthroposophical Medicine as well as scientific and practically-oriented projects in Nature and Agriculture.

In total, we co-enable an average of about 250 projects per year that create healing social impulses for the (further) development of people and society. SAGST ranks among the largest foundations in Germany, measured both in terms of assets and total grant making to further its goals. 

SHOWCASE

We are here for you
23.03.2020

Foundation Operations Continue: Inquiries and Applications in Electronic Form Only

As a grantmaking foundation, we want to continue to be there for you despite the Coronavirus. For this reason, we have decided to continue our foundation’s operations with our staff largely working from home. For the time being, we can only accept inquiries and grant applications submitted electronically. Inquiries and applications for projects can be submitted to anfragen(at)sagst.de. General questions can be sent via email to stiftung(at)sagst.de.

PROJECT GALLERY

Boy feeding cows
27.03.2020

Social Farming: Health Bonus Included

Social farming combines organic agriculture with social therapy, nature pedagogy, and other experiential fields. A master’s thesis is examining its health-promoting value, using the organic farm Hofgut Oberfeld in Darmstadt as a case study. SAGST is a long-time supporter of the farm’s establishment and expansion.

Two men at work in the carpentry workshop
20.03.2020

Transparent and Integrated: Carpentry Workshop for People with Disabilities

The town of Heiligenberg near Lake Constance is home to around 3,000 people. More than 100 of them are members of the Hermannsberg community, founded in 1976. As one of five Camphill institutions in the area, it offers employment and residence as well as a meeting place for people with and without disabilities. With the newly build “Transparent Workshop“, a carpentry shop in the industrial area of Frickingen, the community is treading a new path and opening up to the surrounding community.

Fresh and healthy: vegetables from local organic farming
13.03.2020

The Taste of Responsibility for People and Nature: More Organic Produce in Hamburg’s Canteens and Cafeterias

Since 1986, Ökomarkt Verbraucher- und Agrarberatung e. V. has been supporting organic farming in Hamburg, Germany. Consumers, members of the organic food industry, and in particular children and young people all profit from the non-profit organization’s diverse offering of consultation and training. The organization is now working to increase the percentage of organic food available in public institutions.

Man in a wheelchair with assistant
06.03.2020

Every Voice counts – even without Words: Self-determination despite significant Support Needs

How can inclusion, participation, and self-determination be made possible, even for individuals with significant support needs? This question is currently being examined in the context of a research study being carried out by the Institut Mensch Ethik Wissenschaft (IMEW) in Berlin. A foundational part of the project, planned for two years, is practical workshops where individuals with complex disabilities are able to find a voice.

Biology Lessons
28.02.2020

The Science of Life: Practical Handbook for Biology in Waldorf Schools

A new practical handbook supported by SAGST provides valuable ideas for teaching biology in upper-level Waldorf schools. The German-language handbook is titled “Biologie in der Waldorfschule”.

Portrait photo of Georg Seifert
20.02.2020

Naturally Healthy from the Start – Interview with Prof. Dr. med. Georg Seifert

The recently-published book „Von Anfang an gesund“ („Healthy from the Start“) informs parents how they can naturally strengthen their child’s healing powers. One of the authors is Prof. Dr. med. Georg Seifert, holder of a SAGST endowed chair for integrative medicine at the Berliner Charité hospital.

Further Projects