Funding areas
Guiding principleThe Dewender Foundation was founded in 2012 by Norbert Dewender to open up opportunities for young people and to make a lasting contribution to the common good.
A strong society is built when people can develop their abilities and take responsibility. Our work is based on this conviction. We support potential, accompany paths of development, and strengthen structures that enable community and participation.
We provide inspiration, make role models visible, and open up perspectives — so that young people can actively and responsibly shape their future.
Responsible stewardship of the foundation’s funds shapes our actions:
- sustainable and effective use of funds
- transparent decision-making
- respect for all involved
- a long-term perspective rather than short-term effects
At the heart of our work are projects that enable young people to access education, guidance, and personal development — from early support through school and training to university.
Our funding areas:
- Education & upbringing, including student support
- Art & culture
- Sport
- Civic engagement
The foundation is active in the municipality of Wachtendonk and specifically supports local projects and institutions there. In addition, it supports higher education in the Lower Rhine and at RWTH Aachen to sustainably strengthen academic development in the region.
We support exclusively projects run by:
- charitable legal entities such as associations.
- public-law entities.
- schools, via their respective support association or school authority.
A valid proof of charitable status or use of funds for tax-privileged purposes is required.
Our support may cover the full amount or only part of it.
We do not support:
- costs incurred only after the project has been completed.
- projects that would lead to the public sector withdrawing its support.
- party-political projects.
- projects that are not in line with the founder’s intentions.
We direct our funds where commitment and ideas can achieve particular impact. To enable lasting change, we prefer multi-year, trust-based partnerships with selected project partners. We deliberately do not pursue broad, scattered “watering-can” funding.