Since 2006 Active Philanthropy has been coaching and consulting the API Foundation for Children and Youth (API Kinder- und Jugendstiftung) based in Hamburg, Germany. In this period the foundation has gone through a process of copious strategy realignment.
Active Philanthropy has supported the API Foundation in the process of identifying grant-receiving projects that fit its strategy. For this purpose the Foundation’s grant-making profile, hitherto supporting projects in different fields in the Hamburg region, was revised and sharpened. Today the API Foundation focuses on providing early support to children from socially disadvantaged families in Eastern Germany. For strategy reasons the Foundation’s purpose was complemented by the aim of promoting and encouraging young donors.
Instead of supporting single projects in a special region the Foundation is now focusing on pilot projects that have a clear potential to be transferred and scaled-up to other regions. API aims to support such organisations and to help them manage organisational growth.
API now has an active approach to grant-making: The Foundation does not only give money, but also provides access to networks and contacts that, for example, contribute essential know-how. Furthermore, the Foundation has taken on active roles in the projects and is, for example, a member of several advisory committees. Active Philanthropy supports the API Foundation in creating a relationship with its grantees that is based on real partnership, thus benefiting both parties.
