Clubs, Foundations, and More: The Backbone of Civic Engagement

Civic engagement does not take place in a vacuum. Above all, it is organizations such as associations, foundations, nonprofit organizations, and citizens’ initiatives that coordinate, structure, and facilitate volunteer work. They form an indispensable infrastructure on which millions of volunteers can rely. But how are associations and foundations evolving today—and what opportunities and challenges does this present?

In Germany, the association system is a central pillar of social life. According to the analysis of the 2023 ZiviZ Survey, approximately 656,888 civil society organizations were recorded in 2022—of which registered associations accounted for about 94%. The largest growth in the number of associations between 2016 and 2022 was recorded in Berlin and Bavaria. ^{1 Over the} past 60 years, the association landscape has expanded enormously—from about 86,000 registered associations in 1960 (West Germany) to approximately 616,000 in 2022 (all of Germany). ² However: The rate of new club formations has been declining again since 1995.

Figures show that civic engagement in Germany is concentrated primarily in sports, culture, and education. These are followed by recreational activities and social services. Environmental protection and nature conservation also play a noticeable role, but are less often the main focus. Smaller areas such as international solidarity, science, and the media are significantly less represented. ⁴

This clearly demonstrates that community organization work is well-established, stable, and deeply rooted. Community organizations provide opportunities for volunteer work, community, learning, sports, culture, neighborly ties, and much more. They are often rooted in the local community and driven by volunteers—and are therefore particularly flexible.

Most organizations operate with very limited resources. More than half of civil society organizations in Germany have total revenues of less than 10,000 euros. Only 27 percent of organizations have paid staff. ⁶

Furthermore, the understanding of the role of civil society organizations is changing. More and more organizations want to participate in political processes. Expectations of the government are also changing, particularly with regard to greater financial support. This is driven by a clearly discernible trend in which organizations are increasingly stepping in to fill gaps in government services. Organizations are becoming involved in areas that have traditionally been the responsibility of the government. ⁷

In addition to nonprofit organizations, foundations play a central role—both as independent project sponsors and as supporters of civic engagement. According to the Federal Association of German Foundations, the number of legally recognized foundations under civil law in Germany stood at 25,777. ⁸ in 2023. According to the association, 637 new foundations were established in 2023.

However, the density of foundations varies greatly by region: by far the largest share—88.4%—is based in the western German states (excluding Berlin). There are 1,903 foundations in the eastern German states, accounting for 7.4%. Berlin, with 1,081 foundations, accounts for 4.2%. It is interesting, however, to look at the trends: In 2023, the eastern German states (excluding Berlin) recorded an average net growth of 3.8%, significantly more than the western German states (excluding Berlin), which recorded 1.9%. ⁹

Furthermore, a large number of small endowments dominate the German foundation landscape: Two-thirds have less than one million euros in capital, while only about 13% have more than ten million euros. This shows that many foundations operate with rather modest resources—their contribution lies primarily in their work, networks, strategy, and long-term thinking. ¹¹

Why are these organizations so important?

• They enable civic engagement: Organizations create structures within which people can get organized, launch projects, and make a difference. Without this organizational infrastructure, many initiatives would be nonexistent or would exist only temporarily.
  
• They pool resources: funding, expertise, space, and networks—all of this is channeled through such organizations. Foundations provide funding; associations carry out the projects.
  
• They provide visibility: Social issues such as integration, sustainability, culture, and youth work gain significance when they are represented by organizations supported by many people.
  
• They stabilize volunteer engagement: When volunteer work is supported by institutional structures, it leads to long-lasting initiatives—not just one-off events.
  
• They enable participation: Local club life, citizens’ initiatives, and neighborhood associations form the foundation of democratic participation and engagement.

The landscape of associations and foundations remains a central pillar of civil society. To ensure its sustainability, it requires framework conditions such as adequate funding, guidance, networking, and professional support. Anyone seeking to promote volunteerism should therefore focus not only on individuals but also on the organizations behind them—their diversity, their structures, and their impact.