die
Stiftung
📜 What does "die Stiftung" mean?
Die Stiftung (noun, feminine) refers to an institution that uses dedicated assets (ein zweckgebundenes Vermögen) to pursue a specific purpose defined by the founder (der Stifter). This purpose is often charitable (gemeinnützig) – e.g., supporting science, culture, social projects – but can also be for private benefit (privatnützig), such as a family foundation (Familienstiftung).
- Meaning 1: An organisation or institution that promotes a specific purpose through dedicated assets (e.g., die gemeinnützige Stiftung - the non-profit foundation).
- Meaning 2: The act of founding or endowing itself (less common in everyday language).
- Meaning 3: The dedicated assets themselves (e.g., Das Kapital der Stiftung ist beträchtlich - The foundation's capital is considerable).
🚨 Attention: Don't confuse it with a Spende (donation), which is usually a one-off contribution. A Stiftung is intended to be permanent.
Article rules for der, die, and das
-ung → always feminine.
There are many -ung words, we won't list them all. There are only a few exceptions.
🧐 Grammar of "die Stiftung" in Detail
"Stiftung" is a feminine noun. The article is die. Like most feminine nouns ending in "-ung", it's feminine.
| Case | Definite Article | Indefinite Article |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative (Subject) | die Stiftung | eine Stiftung |
| Genitive (Possessive) | der Stiftung | einer Stiftung |
| Dative (Indirect Object) | der Stiftung | einer Stiftung |
| Accusative (Direct Object) | die Stiftung | eine Stiftung |
| Case | Definite Article | Indefinite Article |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die Stiftungen | - Stiftungen |
| Genitive | der Stiftungen | - Stiftungen |
| Dative | den Stiftungen | - Stiftungen |
| Accusative | die Stiftungen | - Stiftungen |
📝 Example Sentences for Grammar
- Die Stiftung fördert junge Künstler. (The foundation supports young artists.) - Nominative Singular
- Der Zweck der Stiftung ist klar definiert. (The purpose of the foundation is clearly defined.) - Genitive Singular
- Wir danken der Stiftung für ihre Unterstützung. (We thank the foundation for its support.) - Dative Singular
- Er möchte eine Stiftung gründen. (He wants to establish a foundation.) - Accusative Singular
- Viele Stiftungen engagieren sich im Umweltschutz. (Many foundations are involved in environmental protection.) - Nominative Plural
💡 How "die Stiftung" is Used
"Stiftung" is mainly used in the context of organisations pursuing a specific goal and possessing their own assets (Vermögen). Common distinctions include:
- Gemeinnützige Stiftungen: Non-profit foundations promoting the public good (e.g., Kulturstiftung - cultural foundation, Umweltstiftung - environmental foundation, Wissenschaftsstiftung - science foundation).
- Private Stiftungen: Foundations serving private purposes (e.g., Familienstiftung - family foundation providing for descendants).
- Öffentliche Stiftungen / Stiftungen öffentlichen Rechts: Public foundations, often established by the state or municipalities.
- Kirchliche Stiftungen: Foundations pursuing religious purposes.
Typical verbs and collocations:
- eine Stiftung gründen/errichten (to found/establish a foundation)
- eine Stiftung leiten/verwalten (to lead/manage a foundation)
- eine Stiftung unterstützen/fördern (to support/promote a foundation)
- Zweck der Stiftung (purpose of the foundation)
- Vermögen/Kapital der Stiftung (assets/capital of the foundation)
- Vorstand der Stiftung (board of the foundation)
Compared to a Verein (der) (club, association), a Stiftung typically has no members but is run by a board (Vorstand) and is based on endowment capital (Stiftungsvermögen), not membership fees.
🧠 Mnemonics for "die Stiftung"
- Article Mnemonic: Words ending in "-ung" in German are almost always feminine (die). Think of other examples: die Meinung (opinion), die Hoffnung (hope), die Regierung (government)... and die Stiftung! The "-ung" ending shouts "die"!
- Meaning Mnemonic: Connect Stiftung to the English word "sturdy" or "standing". A foundation is something sturdy, meant to stand for a long time to fulfill its purpose. Or think of the verb stiften (to donate, establish). Someone stifts something good and lasting – like an organisation that helps = a Stiftung.
↔️ Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms (similar meaning):
- Die Gründung: (The founding) Refers more to the act of establishing than the existing entity.
- Die Einrichtung: (The institution, facility) More general term for an institution.
- Der Fonds: (The fund) Often refers primarily to the assets, but can be used similarly (e.g., Kulturfonds - cultural fund).
- Die Anstalt (öffentlichen Rechts): (The institution (under public law)) Similar structure, but often state-run.
Antonyms (opposites):
- Die Auflösung: (The dissolution) Ending the existence of a foundation.
- Die Schließung: (The closure) Similar to dissolution.
- (Indirectly) Der Profit / Der Gewinn: (Profit / Gain) Many foundations are non-profit, contrasting with for-profit companies.
⚠️ Similar but different words:
- Die Spende: (The donation) A one-off or regular gift of money or goods, not a permanent organisation.
- Der Verein: (The association, club) Based on members and their contributions, pursuing common interests.
- Das Unternehmen: (The company, enterprise) Usually profit-oriented.
😂 A Little Joke
DE: Fragt der Sohn den reichen Vater: "Papa, was ist der Unterschied zwischen einer Spende und einer Stiftung?" Antwortet der Vater: "Mein Sohn, eine Spende ist, wenn du einem Bettler 10 Euro gibst. Eine Stiftung ist, wenn du ihm dafür eine Quittung ausstellst und es von der Steuer absetzt."
EN: The son asks his rich father: "Dad, what's the difference between a donation (Spende) and a foundation (Stiftung)?" The father replies: "My son, a donation is when you give a beggar 10 euros. A foundation is when you issue him a receipt for it and deduct it from your taxes." 😄
✍️ Poem about a Stiftung
DE:
Ein guter Zweck, ein fester Plan,
mit Kapital fängt es hier an.
Die Stiftung wirkt, Jahr ein, Jahr aus,
bringt Hilfe oft in manches Haus.
Sie fördert Kunst, Kultur, Verstand,
reicht helfend eine starke Hand.
Ein Werk, das überdauern kann,
gestiftet einst von Frau und Mann.
EN Translation:
A noble cause, a solid plan,
With capital, it began.
The foundation works, year by year,
Bringing help to homes held dear.
It fosters art, culture, mind,
Extends a helping hand, so kind.
A work designed to long remain,
Endowed by woman and by man.
❓ A Little Riddle
DE:
Ich habe Geld, doch kaufe nichts für mich allein.
Ich habe einen Zweck, doch bin kein Werkzeug fein.
Ich werde oft von Reichen ins Leben gebracht,
hab' über meine Regeln einen Vorstand, der wacht.
Ich ende auf "-ung" und bin feminin im Satz.
Was bin ich?
EN Translation/Clues:
I have money, but buy nothing for myself alone.
I have a purpose, but am no fine tool.
I am often brought into existence by the wealthy,
Have a board that watches over my rules.
I end in "-ung" and am feminine in the sentence.
What am I?
(Solution: die Stiftung)
✨ More Interesting Facts
Word Composition:
The word "Stiftung" derives from the verb stiften. "Stiften" means something like 'to found', 'to establish', 'to donate', or 'to cause'. The suffix -ung turns the verb into a noun, denoting either the process or the result of the action (stiften). As mentioned, nouns ending in "-ung" are mostly feminine (die).
Famous Foundations (Bekannte Stiftungen):
- Nobelstiftung: Awards the Nobel Prizes.
- VolkswagenStiftung: One of Germany's largest private foundations supporting research and science.
- Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation: One of the largest private foundations globally, active in health and development.
- Stiftung Warentest: A well-known German consumer protection organization.
📝 Summary: is it der, die or das Stiftung?
The German word Stiftung is feminine. The correct article is die. It means 'foundation' or 'endowment' and refers to an organization that uses dedicated assets to pursue a specific, often charitable, purpose.