How companies can leverage online foundations for themselves

The models with which companies engage financially today are diverse. From large-scale Corporate Giving initiatives by big corporations, to "Buy One, Donate One" concepts for sales via online shops, or even the creation of their own corporate foundation. The problem: measures like these are difficult to implement, especially for young companies with limited resources and financial means. For this reason, it often remains a matter of donations to the same organizations around Christmas time, and the desire for a more strategic financial engagement remains a point on the mental to-do list.

💻 A consulting agency from Berlin that advises companies on New Work topics and advocates for a social working world.

📐 An interior design office from Hamburg that is driving the topic of sustainability in the construction industry forward.

Examples like these show: "doing good" and "making profits" have long ceased to be contradictions. And today, it is no longer just NGOs and social enterprises that are dedicated to a social mission and actively engage in it. 

📚 Table of Contents

1. Online foundation as an alternative to traditional foundation establishment

2. Step-by-step to your own online foundation

3. Little effort, high leverage - this is what commitment can look like

4. Corporate foundations: The future is digital and only minutes away

Online foundation as an alternative to traditional foundation establishment

Especially for startups and companies looking for a simple way to build up their commitment with limited resources and without increased personnel costs, the establishment of an online foundation, for example via bcause.com, can be a sensible alternative. The concept of an online foundation is still quite new in Germany - in contrast to the USA, where so-called Donor Advised Funds already hold over $250 billion and distribute $50 billion in donations annually. With bcause, we have also been offering German companies (and individuals) the opportunity to set up online foundations quickly and uncomplicatedly since the end of 2022. The service is already being used by entrepreneurs from a wide range of industries - and, unlike traditional foundation establishment, there are no minimum costs or notary fees involved in setting it up.

Step by step to your own online foundation

The principle of an online foundation is remarkably simple: companies create an account on bcause and thus open a foundation fund in the non-profit bcause Treuhandstiftung, into which they pay money from sales via donation, either as a one-off or regularly. Under their own URL, which can be embedded on their own website or on other communication materials, the foundation profile can be individually named and set up with images and texts. In the next step, organizations and social enterprises can be added which are to receive funding via the online foundation in the future. Both organizations recommended by experts on the platform and personal suggestions, for example for local associations and initiatives, can be selected.

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Once live, the online foundation can be used on the one hand to easily organize corporate donations and visibly communicate the financial commitment to relevant stakeholders externally. On the other hand, by being able to receive external donations and forward them to the selected organizations in the next step, it can serve to invite the team or network to participate, thus multiplying their own commitment.

Little effort, high leverage - this is what commitment can look like

The example of the PR agency Hypr from Berlin, initiated by agency founder Sachar Klein, shows what commitment via an online foundation can look like. Sacahr and his team support companies like nebenan.de, denttabs, or better ventures in positioning themselves publicly. It is at least as important to him, however, to show attitude himself as an advising agency: "We can choose who gives us contracts" and "We can use a part of our profits to promote democracy and an internet without hate." Since the end of 2023, Sachar and his team have therefore been supporting the Berlin organization HateAid via the Hypr-Foundation, which offers legal advice to those affected by online hate. Over €11,000 from corporate and employee donations have already been transacted in the first year.

In addition to Hypr, numerous other companies from a wide range of industries already use online foundations on bcause to build and expand their commitment. Many of the founders had already donated regularly in the past, perhaps even thought about establishing their own foundation once before - but discarded the idea again after a short research. Too expensive, too complex, too inflexible. What they appreciate about bcause is the simplicity, both in terms of setup and administration. "For me, my online foundation is like a values business card," is how Planetly, Outfittery, and Nala.earth founder Anna Alex puts it.

Further examples of companies already using bcause foundations for their commitment are the leadership academy Ten More In, founded by Lea-Sophie Cramer, and the startup nookees for click-in period underwear, founded by Janina Breitling.

Corporate foundations: The future is digital and only minutes away

One's own corporate foundation - until recently, that was something most entrepreneurs always postponed into the future. With the digital model, the future is only a few minutes away - because it doesn't take longer than that to set up on bcause.

We are happy to support you on the path to your digital foundation with a free initial consultation.

Schedule your initial consultation now