Heraeus Foundations: responsible and committed support
Growth needs to be seen in more than economic terms, as more than a struggle to accumulate ever-increasing amounts of material goods. Growth is a matter of intrinsic human values, and financial and human interests need to grow together. This ideal has led the Heraeus shareholders to establish four privately funded foundations since 1963. The foundations are a testimony to the wide-ranging social commitment of the Heraeus family.
Kathinka Platzhoff Foundation
The goal of the non-profit Kathinka Platzhoff Foundation, founded in 1981, is to provide support and encouragement for children, youth and seniors in cooperation with the Walloon-Dutch Congregation of the Evangelical Reformed Church in Hanau. This includes support and education for children and youth as they develop into independent, creative and responsible individuals, as well as active assistance specifically targeted to the needs of older adults. The Foundation maintains a social welfare facility, which encompasses a senior center and a youth center, a daycare facility for children, a family center, an outpatient nursing service and a residential component geared to the needs of the disabled and the elderly.
Heraeus Social Foundation
Founded in 1973, the Heraeus Social Foundation is a relief fund for current and former Heraeus Group employees and their families. Under the motto “listening, talking, taking action,” it works together with Heraeus Holding counseling services to provide comprehensive support and counseling in every aspect of social life. The Heraeus Social Foundation offers support to those experiencing difficulty caring for a family member and provides counseling during personal crises. As appropriate, the Foundation makes contact with suitable therapy providers, provides financial assistance in emergency situations and offers support in dealing with family problems. The aim of the foundation is to provide individual counseling and support in order to defuse and resolve crisis situations through active and cooperative efforts.
Heraeus Educational Foundation
The Heraeus Educational Foundation has supported education since 1964. The Foundation's activities center on educators and school administrators—after all, a school system can only be as good as the people who shape it. Rapid changes in the field of education mean that these professionals are faced with constantly increasing demands. For this reason, it is the aim of the Heraeus Educational Foundation to assist educators in their work through individualized continuing education efforts and social support. The Foundation's activities consist of three areas: 1. Developing skills, 2. Organizing schools, 3. Experiencing connections.
Wilhelm and Else Heraeus Foundation
Wilhelm und Else Heraeus established their joint foundation in 1963 to promote research and training in the natural sciences, particularly physics. The Foundation encourages scientific exchange by organizing conferences and seminars, supporting talented students and contributing in various ways to improving science education in schools. The Foundation has worked closely with the German Physical Society (DPG) since the mid-1970s. The Wilhelm and Else Heraeus Foundation is highly regarded among physicists, and is considered to be Germany’s most important private donor institution in the field of physics.
