Funding of the CMS Foundation GmbH

The funding provided by CMS Stiftung GmbH is aimed at nationwide, non-profit organizations within the meaning of the German Fiscal Code that are engaged in the funding priorities of Access to Justice, Legal Empowerment, or Community Engagement. In these areas, projects are supported that, for example, offer legal advisory services for disadvantaged target groups, establish structures for knowledge transfer and networking between civil society, authorities, and the judiciary, or promote volunteer legal advice in the form of law clinics. In addition to financial grants, the foundation provides time, professional expertise, and an extensive network to achieve sustainable impact. Funding decisions are made continuously throughout the calendar year, and applications can be submitted digitally at any time. Excluded are expenses for direct individual case assistance, vexatious or abusive projects, funding of advisory costs already publicly or privately financed, as well as international initiatives without a connection to Germany.

Prerequisites for submitting an application are recognition as a non-profit organization and the assignment of the project to one of the three fields of action. Required documents include, among others:

• the fully completed funding application (Word form),


• the current exemption notice or proof according to § 60a AO,


• the organization's statutes,


• an excerpt from the association or foundation register along with proof of representation,


• a project description and a financing plan,


• as well as all attachments as separate PDF files.

Interested initiatives are encouraged to submit their projects digitally and thus contribute to improving access to justice for disadvantaged individuals.