Funding

Rhein-Neckar Heroes Awards

Die VR Bank Rhein-Neckar eG fördert mit den RheinNeckar HeldenAwards gemeinnützige Organisationen in der Region mit insgesamt 200.000 Euro. Acht ausgewählte Projekte erhalten jeweils 25.000 Euro, um ihre Vorhaben zu verwirklichen.

‘Helping Hand’ Encouragement Award

The Federal Ministry of the Interior (BMI) honours volunteers in disaster relief and civil protection. The first prizes are worth between 7,000 and 10,000 euros, and there is also a special prize worth 9,000 euros.

Fördermittel für Projekte zur gesellschaftlichen und sozialen Integration von Zugewanderten

Projektmittelvergabe des Bundesministeriums des Innern für das Jahr 2027 im Rahmen des Bundesprogramms "Gesellschaftlicher Zusammenhalt - Vor Ort. Vernetzt. Verbunden."

Projekte dürfen ab 1.1.2027 starten.

Funding scheme for social innovation

Social innovations: Solving societal problems in a different way! Do you think outside the box? Do you develop solutions outside established structures, thereby creating a lasting impact? If so, apply to the German TV Lottery’s Deutsches Hilfswerk Foundation by 1 July 2026.

startsocial: 100 consultancy grants for social initiatives

Those of you with an entrepreneurial spirit can apply here for an exciting consultancy grant and receive four months of support from two experienced specialists and two senior executives from the business world. The prerequisite is that you rely heavily on voluntary work. You do not need to be a recognised charity or have an established legal status to take part in startsocial.

Movers of Tomorrow Award 2026: Prize money for young people making a difference

Nominations for the Allianz Foundation’s Engagement Award are open until 20 July 2026 for committed young people aged 16 to 24. The Movers of Tomorrow Award 2026 is looking for young people who are committed to social justice, social cohesion and climate action. Fifty winners will be selected and will each receive 1,500 euros in prize money.

The Commerzbank Foundation supports culture, social causes and science

Grant applications to the Commerzbank Foundation can be submitted between 1 June and 31 July 2026 for the autumn meeting.

Projects in the field of digitalisation

The DATEV Foundation supports projects that are in line with its charitable objectives, including educating the public and raising awareness in the fields of data protection and IT security; the transfer of knowledge and the exchange of experiences between government, the cultural sector, academia and business; and the further development of the cooperative model as a model for sustainable economic activity.

"Sport thrives on diversity": 500 euros for creative projects

The Rhineland-Palatinate State Sports Federation supports practical ideas from the world of club sport that overcome social, physical or structural barriers, facilitate access to sport – particularly for (socially) disadvantaged groups – and enable genuine participation, regardless of origin, gender, age, disability or social status – with grants of up to 500 euros upon application.

Shaping the future together

The PwC Foundation supports projects that help children and young people develop their cultural and values-based education. Project applications can be submitted throughout the year. The funding year is divided into two rounds of funding, with deadlines on 1 March and 1 September respectively.

The RWE Foundation supports projects in the field of child and youth welfare

The focus is on supporting children and young people, with an emphasis on promoting equal opportunities, overcoming social disadvantage, strengthening international and intercultural understanding, and improving social cohesion. Funding is available for projects with a minimum budget of €20,000.00.

Democracy promotion programme “100 times 500 for Democracy”

The State Chancellery of Rhineland-Palatinate is awarding 100 grants of 500 euros each, with the aim of supporting voluntary activities that promote democracy in places where citizens learn and live, and of helping them to carry out their initiatives and projects.

EU funding for cultural projects

Use the Funding Finder to find the right EU funding for project ideas in the cultural sector. Through this initiative, the Commissioner of the Federal Ministry of Culture and Media and the Federal Ministry of Housing, Art, Culture, Media and Sport aim to make EU funding opportunities more easily accessible to all sectors of the cultural and creative industries. All sectors are covered, from dance, theatre, circus, music, visual arts, literature, film, design, architecture, cultural heritage, museums, archives and media art to socio-cultural activities and cultural education.

Volunteering in youth work

This scheme, run by the state of Rhineland-Palatinate, is aimed at all (prospective) youth leaders and club officials. Volunteers and those in leadership roles within youth work are entitled to up to twelve days of unpaid special leave per year. For each working day of unpaid leave, a loss of earnings of up to 70 euros per day will be reimbursed upon application.

Ehrensache 2026 SWR Prize

SWR, in partnership with the state of Rhineland-Palatinate, honours people for their exceptional commitment. Throughout the year, they showcase volunteers, reporting on their outstanding achievements, their unpaid work and the people they help.

The highlight of the campaign is an awards ceremony broadcast on SWR television, during which volunteering awards are presented to outstanding individuals and their projects. Get your applications in!

A Heart for Children

BILD hilft e.V. “Ein Herz für Kinder” supports children in need both in Germany and abroad.

As one of the very few charities, “Ein Herz für Kinder” also offers assistance on a case-by-case basis: seriously ill children who do not have health insurance are supported with life-saving operations.

Go International

Through its ‘Go International’ funding scheme, the Youth Sports Division of the Rhineland-Palatinate State Sports Federation supports international youth exchanges organised by sports clubs and associations. Projects that facilitate intercultural learning and broaden the personal horizons of young sportspeople are funded with up to 1,000 euros. The key criterion is that the exchange between the participating groups is organised on a partnership basis.

Start-up and Young Talent Support from the LBBW Foundation

Do you have any collaborative projects with Mannheim? The LBBW Foundation supports projects in the fields of art and culture, nature and the environment, as well as education, training and further education. In line with the Foundation’s regional principle, its objectives are to be realised primarily in Baden-Württemberg.

"Stars of Sport" Club Competition

The Volksbanken and Raiffeisenbanken, together with the German Olympic Sports Confederation (DOSB), are recognising sports clubs for their social commitment. The winners (bronze, silver and gold) will receive cash prizes. The competition is open to all sports clubs organised under the umbrella of the DOSB and located within the business area of VR Bank Rhein-Neckar eG.

Child and youth support, reading promotion, swimming lessons, healthcare

The BBBank Foundation’s funding focuses primarily on the areas of child and youth welfare, education and training, and healthcare. In 2026, the Foundation will celebrate its 15th anniversary.

Project Funding for Culture, Education and Social Affairs

The Deutsche Bank Foundation supports projects that promote young talent, open up cultural experiences or facilitate dialogue between different social groups.

Cultural grants for under-25s

The Socio-Cultural Fund is aimed at young people aged between 18 and 25 who are working independently on socio-cultural projects, and provides funding of up to 4,000 euros (20 per cent own contribution).

Climate Lottery tickets for climate protection projects

ClimaClic is a climate lottery that supports climate protection projects run by charitable organisations which actively protect the climate in the categories of nature and the countryside, the environment and resources, and education and research.

"Together for Equivalence" funding programme

Through this programme, the state of Rhineland-Palatinate supports projects run by associations and initiatives that are committed to fostering a culture of equality and combating group-based hostility and discrimination.

"On Equal Terms" Fund

The Software AG Foundation’s initiative supports projects that bring together people with and without a refugee or migrant background – in an unbureaucratic manner, with up to 5,000 euros and plenty of scope for their own approaches.

Funding applications are open to community foundations from across Germany, which may submit applications for their own projects or on behalf of local partner organisations.

1,000 euros for children’s and young people’s rights

Through the ‘Megafonds – The Budget for Your Campaign Idea’, Terre des Hommes supports charitable projects planned and carried out by young people aged between 14 and 27. The theme of your project should be something that affects you directly. You can apply for up to 1,000 euros for your project.

Fundraising campaign by Allianz Germany

Organisations can register via Haus des Stiftens and submit their project there for Allianz Deutschland’s “More regional than you think” funding programme.

Project funding from the Ludwigshafen Community Foundation

Upon application, the Ludwigshafen Community Foundation provides funding for projects run by independent and public organisations that are in line with the Foundation’s statutory objectives. Particular attention is paid to the needs of young people.

Neighbourly help and online meet-ups

The state coordination centre “Living Well in Old Age” provides support to neighbourhood assistance schemes, community associations and social cooperatives for mutual aid during their start-up phase. Within this framework, start-up funding is available to cover the costs of initial equipment, public relations and events, as well as consultancy fees, in the form of a one-off grant of up to €5,000.

Deutsche Bahn supports: Volunteering? A matter of honour!

Through its ‘Ehrensache’ programme, Deutsche Bahn supports charitable projects in which Deutsche Bahn staff volunteer their time. Once a year, staff can apply to Ehrensache with a specific project and receive financial support. The funds are channelled directly to the charitable organisations and are used to support the project.

SWR supports projects for children and young people

SWR awards grants for children’s and youth projects based on criteria such as topicality, diversity of themes and a fair regional distribution. Funding is available in the form of emergency aid, multi-year support or grants for the one-off purchase of vehicles to reach children and young people in rural areas.

Crowdfunding #savinghelps

The Sparda-Bank Südwest e.V. Savings Lottery Association will double every donation of 5 euros or more, up to a maximum of 100 euros. Donations will be matched until the fundraising target is reached, up to a maximum of 5,000 euros per project. As of March 2026, the donation pot for Rhineland-Palatinate is still well stocked!

Project funding in the Rhine-Neckar metropolitan region

The Dietmar Hopp Foundation gGmbH supports projects in the fields of medicine, education, social welfare and youth sport in the Rhine-Neckar metropolitan region and accepts funding applications from charitable organisations for this purpose.

Support for organisations for women and girls

The state of Rhineland-Palatinate supports organisations for women and girls in Rhineland-Palatinate that contribute to the equality of women and girls. Projects and initiatives are generally eligible for funding of up to 1,300 euros, whilst special and large-scale events, as well as initial equipment, are eligible for funding of up to 2,500 euros.

Promoting women in voluntary work

The Ministry for Family, Women, Culture and Integration provides grants for initiatives aimed at improving the conditions for women in voluntary work and supports training which, on the one hand, is useful for voluntary work and, on the other, can also improve women’s employment prospects. A 10 per cent contribution from the applicant is required. Applications must be submitted before the project begins.

VR Bank for RheinNeckarHeroes

Every year, VR Bank Rhein-Neckar eG awards around 500,000 euros in donations and sponsorship funds to heroes and heroines from the Rhine-Neckar region. Support is provided for projects run by regional associations and charitable organisations that contribute to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Social, cultural, sporting and educational projects

The Lotto Rhineland-Palatinate Foundation provides grants of up to €1,000 to support social, cultural, sporting and educational projects in Rhineland-Palatinate. Applications can be submitted at any time.

Citizens’ Fund: ‘Learning, Strengthening and Living Democracy’

Whether or not you have previous experience of Franco-German relations or language skills, the call for applications from the Franco-German Citizens’ Fund is open to anyone who is engaged with the current challenges facing democracy and wishes to enrich their commitment through a Franco-German perspective. Funding of between 5,000 and 50,000 euros is available for this purpose.

Otto's fundraising campaign

Up to 1,000 euros for your club through the online vote in Otto’s ‘Platz schaffen mit Herz’ campaign. Register for the next round.

Summer Reading Campaign

The state of Rhineland-Palatinate provides grants of between 200 and 800 euros towards the purchase of new books and media for the ‘Lesesommer RLP’ initiative.

Project Funding for National Minorities

Das Land Rheinland-Pfalz fördert Maßnahmen von Vereinen im Bereich der Kultur und der Sprache Romanes mit bis zu 8.000 Euro.

Cultural projects across all disciplines

The state of Rhineland-Palatinate provides up to 2,000 euros for non-commercial cultural projects and events.

Youth projects for a sustainable future

Through the ‘Perlenfonds’, the Joachim Herz Foundation supports projects in which young people put their own ideas for a sustainable future into practice at their university, vocational college, school, in extracurricular learning environments or in their neighbourhood. Maximum grant amount: 25,000 euros.

For nature conservation and environmental protection

The Beatrice Nolte Foundation provides funding for material costs associated with projects in the fields of environmental protection, nature conservation, climate protection and animal welfare

Community cafés in integration work

Das Land Rheinland-Pfalz bietet eine Infrastrukturförderung, um Begegnungscafés zu ermöglichen.

Environmental education using modern technology

The Audi Foundation for the Environment GmbH promotes the development of environmentally friendly technologies, the protection of the natural environment on which humans, animals and plants depend, and supports measures and activities aimed at environmental education. Applications may be submitted at any time of year and do not need to follow a specific format.

Projects to tackle child and youth poverty

The Ministry of Labour, Social Affairs, Transformation and Digitalisation of Rhineland-Palatinate funds projects aimed at specifically improving the living conditions of socially and economically disadvantaged children and young people in Rhineland-Palatinate (from school age up to the age of 21), with up to 5,000 euros per project per year (10% own contribution).

Projects involving collaboration between businesses and organisations

Local projects that promote cooperation between businesses and charitable organisations are funded by the State Chancellery of Rhineland-Palatinate with up to 5,000 euros.

Fairständnis – against extremism and xenophobia

The state of Rhineland-Palatinate supports projects and initiatives run by organisations that promote democratic behaviour, tolerance and mutual understanding.

Training courses for volunteers working in the field of integration

Whether it’s further training, supervision or a specialist conference – the state of Rhineland-Palatinate supports the professional development of volunteers working in the field of integration.

Civil society initiatives against racism

The Amadeu Antonio Foundation promotes, encourages and supports initiatives and projects that work to foster a democratic civil society and actively address the issues of right-wing extremism, racism and anti-Semitism. Applications can be made for up to 2,500 euros – and in exceptional cases, even more.

Digitisation (staff costs, fees and operating costs)

The German Television Lottery’s German Aid Foundation supports social initiatives in the field of digitalisation that directly improve the living conditions of people who are disadvantaged or at risk of disadvantage for social or health-related reasons. A 20 per cent contribution from the applicant’s own funds (in cash) is required.

Social projects (staff costs, fees and material costs)

The German Television Lottery’s German Aid Foundation supports social projects and initiatives that have a positive and direct impact on community life in Germany and help to prevent or reduce social disadvantage. Up to 80 per cent of the total costs are covered.

RTL supports projects in the field of child welfare

The RTL Foundation supports projects run by charitable organisations that directly and immediately benefit children and young people. The aim is to bring about a lasting improvement in the life prospects of children and young people in need. Applications for child welfare projects to be funded must be submitted by December of the current year. The projects to be funded are selected in the spring of the following year.

Inclusion and integration of children and young people

The BNP Paribas Foundation supports projects for children and young people who have to overcome obstacles and limitations in their personal lives – for example, due to social disadvantage, a disability, or a background of migration or displacement. The duration of a partnership is usually set at three to five years.

Funding from the Pfalzmetall Foundation

The Pfalzmetall Foundation supports a range of social initiatives run by schools, pupils and charitable organisations that have an impact in the Palatinate, including in Ludwigshafen.

Children Help Young People

Through its ‘Jugend hilft!’ initiative, the children’s charity Children for a Better World provides grants of up to 2,500 euros to support projects run by children and young people aged 6 to 21, whose aim is to help others through their own ideas.

Biodiversity and Climate Action

Do you have an idea for protecting biodiversity? Or do you have an idea for climate action or for greater climate justice? The Young Impact Fund runs until 2028 and supports projects led by young people with grants of 300 euros each. The closing dates for submissions are 30 March, 30 July and 30 November each year.