Funding of the Senator Kirch Foundation (Granting Wishes for the Needy in Altona)

The Senator Kirch Foundation in Hamburg-Altona supports needy children, young people up to 21 years of age, and seniors aged 60 and over with annual, one-time in-kind or earmarked financial grants. Residence in the current district of Altona and proof of need are the central prerequisites for funding. Proposals can be submitted by interest groups, public agencies, or private individuals and are reviewed by the foundation’s board based on the demonstrated need as well as the factual and appropriate purpose. The funding rate is 100%, so all approved expenses in the form of one-time benefits are fully covered. The funds come from interest income generated by the foundation’s capital, which was established by a former resident of Altona through a will and has since been continuously secured through additional endowments.

Submissions are accepted on an ongoing basis; awards are granted once a year at Christmas. In recent years, around 60 individuals have received grants for urgently needed purchases such as winter clothing, leisure activities, or technical aids. In doing so, the foundation makes a valuable contribution to individual poverty alleviation in the district and brings unexpected joy to the recipients. The combination of transparent application review, regional anchoring in Hamburg-Altona, and full coverage of incurred costs makes this support an attractive funding option for all those committed to the social welfare of both older and younger people.