Lumen Gentium – Stiftung deutscher Katholiken

Lumen Gentium – Foundation of German Catholics is a legally capable ecclesiastical foundation under civil law based in Essen. It was established in 2002 by the Central Committee of German Catholics (ZdK) and promotes the work of Catholic Christians in society, state, and church. The foundation’s purposes include strengthening democratic and liberal constitutional order, education and upbringing, arts and culture, international understanding, development aid, environmental protection, as well as the lay apostolate. The foundation realizes its objectives primarily through the financing and support of major events such as the German Catholic Days, Catholic Congresses, Study Days, and Ecumenical Church Days, as well as through initiatives and projects of the ZdK in Germany and Europe.

The Lumen Gentium Foundation is entrusted with the mission to strengthen Christian values and the voice of Catholic laypeople in political decision-making processes and societal dialogue. In line with its founding mandate, it supports evangelization projects as well as encounter and dialogue formats of the ZdK, promotes networks, and awards the Aggiornamento Prize of the German Catholic Days every two years. Through donations and endowments, the foundation contributes to ensuring that the Gospel remains present in the everyday realities of the world and that new impulses for church and society emerge.

The foundation's funding opportunities are aimed at Catholic laypeople, associations, initiatives, and church institutions in Germany and Europe that implement projects for evangelization, strengthening the lay apostolate, and shaping public life based on Christian values. Donations and endowments can be made by private individuals, companies, groups, or legal entities wishing to specifically support the projects and major events of the ZdK and promote interdenominational dialogue.