The management office is the operational body of the Karl Kahane Foundation. The foundation team consists of different personalities sharing a common goal: to shape good projects with a sustainable impact on a partnership basis. The team members coordinate the application cycles, prepare all important documents and events for the Foundation Board meetings. They are responsible for aligning the various funding streams, supporting the projects' development and maintaining contact with the (current and past) organisations as well as other partners in the KKF network. Currently, the team consists of Roos van Kleef (CEO), Silva Lässer (Programme Officer) and Fiorella Linder (Foundation Coordinator). If you want to know more about the KKF team, you can contact us via the contact form on our website.

The number of funded projects depends on the available amount of funding to be distributed, the number of already running projects, the opening of the funding cycles (whether they open only for running grantees or also for new projects) as well as on other factors such as emergency funding, inflation, etc. On average, about 30 projects are supported and guided per year. Around 4-5 new projects are, thereby, added per fully open application cycle.

The KKF preferably works with smaller, local NPOs or NGOs (located within our geographic focus areas and focusing on our three thematic areas) while they go through the earlier stages of their development. The organisations must, thereby, be registered locally as NGOs/NPOs. Larger organisations are also supported, but less frequently. Depending on the funding stream, other/different types of organisations may be supported as well.
 
A glance at the list of our current and past projects can help to get an idea of which projects the KKF generally supports in which Regional and Thematic Focus Areas.

Yes, the KKF has different funding streams for different types of projects. In addition to our regular cycle funding, there are also the Jungbunzlauer Grants, Emergency Funding Grants (incl. Turkey/Syria Earthquake Relief, Ukraine Relief, Covid-19 etc.), Jungbunzlauer Jubilee Gift and the CEO Fund. For our running grantees, we offer Capacity Strengthening and Inflation support in addition to their regular funding. This is intended to support them and their organisational needs. You can learn more about the different streams on our Funding Landing Page.

The KKF preferably works with smaller, local NPOs or NGOs while they go through the earlier stages of their development. The organisations must, thereby, necessarily be registered locally as NGOs/NPOs. Furthermore, they must be located within our geographic focus areas and operate in one of our three thematic areas. We do not consider applications from individuals.

Europe
Albania, Andorra, Austria, Belarus, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Cyprus, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Kosovo, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Moldova, Monaco, Montenegro, Netherlands, North Macedonia, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia, San Marino, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Ukraine, United Kingdom

Middle East
Israel and Palestinian Territories, Jordan, Lebanon, Syria

North Africa
Algeria, Egypt, Libya, Morocco, Tunisia

Turkey

The Karl Kahane Foundation focuses on supporting projects which engage in three thematic focus areas: Accessibility, Migration/Inclusion, Social Mobility. In all three areas, we focus on inclusive and innovative education, and accessible and inclusive quality (mental) health care. Nonetheless, we are also open to other approaches that foster the well-being and self-sufficiency of target groups within these thematic focus areas.
Projects outside of these thematic focus areas are not eligible for funding.

Accessibility
Projects in this thematic focus area should have the overlying goal of promoting and improving the emotional well-being and self-determination of persons with disabilities and special needs, as well as ensuring their inclusion in society.

Migration / Inclusion
Projects in this thematic focus area should have the overlying goal of fostering self-sufficiency, inclusion and well-being for migrants.

Social Mobility
Projects in this thematic focus area should have the overlying goal of offering a path to self-sufficiency to those in the most vulnerable situations in society.

We do not consider applications for projects in the fields of culture, art, nature and sports.

A glance at the list of our current and past projects can help to get an idea of which projects the KKF generally supports in which Thematic Focus Areas.

You can find information about the Thematic Focus Areas on our Funding Website. Furthermore, please read the question "What are the thematic focus areas definitions" under the header "Funding Eligibility" here in our FAQs.

It may be possible that your work bridges several thematic focus areas, in which case you should select the one which best summarises your project or where your work has a bigger share. If the assessment by the foundation indicates that your project fits better to another thematic focus area than the one selected, this can be discussed and changed.

A glance at the list of our current and past projects can help to get an idea of which projects the KKF generally supports in which Thematic Focus Areas.

For first time applicants, we normally consider grants within the range of CHF 40,000.00-100,000.00. It should be noted that co-funding with other foundations or funding partners is highly encouraged. The granted amount depends on both the project’s need and the Karl Kahane Foundation's assessment.

The Karl Kahane Foundation does not publish any number in this regard as it varies greatly from project to project. That being said, trends indicate that as the amount of funding requested approaches the total budget of the project, it becomes less likely that the project will be funded by our foundation. Applicants are recommended to seek out other partnerships and co-funding opportunities as well. Co-funding with other foundations or funding partners is generally encouraged.

The Karl Kahane Foundation generally considers applications for both new applicants and existing grantees for funding periods of one year. Some exceptions may apply, but these have been discussed individually with the grantee and responsible KKF team member. After the one year funding period, grantees can be invited to re-apply with the same project for further funding periods of each one year.

An important requirement to consider when applying is that the project you apply with is planned to start at the latest six months after the receival/payouts of funds from the Karl Kahane Foundation. Funding is usually received 4-5 months after the end of our published application periods and around one month after the Board Meeting.

Generally, there are two types of applications for our regular cycle funding:
1. New Project Applications: projects (even by current KKF grantees) which are new to and have previously not been funded by the Karl Kahane Foundation.
2. Running Project Applications: current Karl Kahane Foundation grantees eligible for continuing KKF funding for a project.

New project applicants go through a two-step application process. The First-Step Application Form is made available during published application periods. First-Step Applications are often evaluated within 2-3 weeks after the deadline for submissions. After the evaluation, applicants can expect a reply with either an invitation to continue to the Second-Step Application Form or the decision of declining the funding request. About 20% of first-step applications are invited to the next step.

The Second-Step Application Form is more detailed than the First-step application form and accompanied by a call with the KKF team. This should help applicants to represent their project as authentically and accurately as possible. The submitted second-step applications are evaluated once again and the final selection is presented to the Foundation’s Board during the Board Meeting, which then makes the final decision on the project funding.

Funding approvals and rejections are always communicated as promptly and transparently as possible. Approximately one month after the board meeting, the projects presented there receive notification of the final decision and, if applicable, the grant agreement letters sent by email. Once the project is approved by the Karl Kahane Foundation Board, the organisation becomes a “KKF grantee”.

As of Fall/Winter 2023, all application and reporting forms are available on KKF’s new Grant Management System. The link to this submission portal is available on our Funding Page during the published application periods. Already running grantees can access the portal with their link at any time. The correct/corresponding form will appear automatically after your registration/login-in on the platform. For the completion of any type of application and/or report, you will find guidelines and helpful information on the portal itself.

First-Step Application Form
All unsolicited (new, “first-contact”) applications for funding must be submitted via the First-Step Application. Outside of our published application period, this form can only be accessed by invitation.

Second-Step Application Form
The Second-Step application follows a successful First-Step application and is only available via invitation by the KKF team. The application period for Second-Step Application Forms generally opens 2-3 weeks after the First-Step application period closes to allow sufficient time for the initial assessments of applications. Second-Step applications typically have a deadline five weeks after the open call for First-Step applications has closed. 

Running Project Application Form
This application form is only available via invitation, appearing in the KKF Submission Platform upon activation by the KKF team. Organisations with a project which was funded by the Karl Kahane Foundation in the previous funding period wishing to re-apply for funding (for the continuation of the project), must first inform the KKF team of their intent to do so over the course of the year. After informing us of your intent to re-apply, our team will get in contact with you to discuss future funding opportunities. If invited to re-apply for funding, the grantee will receive information about the activation of the Running Project application form via email.

Project Report Forms
The Karl Kahane Foundation works with so-called “Reporting Grace Periods,” two specific time windows each year when reports are to be submitted. All information around reporting, including dates and individual reporting requirements, is communicated directly with the KKF grantees. Any reporting form will be available upon activation by the KKF team in the KKF Submission Platform. Should you have any questions, please do not hesitate to reach out to us.

This application form is only available via invitation, appearing in the KKF Submission Platform upon activation by the KKF team. Organisations with a project which was funded by the Karl Kahane Foundation in the previous funding period wishing to re-apply for funding (for the continuation of the project), must first inform the KKF team of their intent to do so over the course of the year. After informing us of your intent to re-apply, our team will get in contact with you to discuss future funding opportunities. If invited to re-apply for funding, the grantee will receive information about the activation of the Running Project application form via email.

Due to the volume of project applications which we receive, we can only accept one application per organisation. If you have multiple potential projects, please make an internal assessment and choose to apply with the project that best fits our funding criteria.

As of fall 2023, project applications and management (including reporting) at the Karl Kahane Foundation are done via our new grant management tool. Any specific questions about applications and/or report forms and about technical issues connected therewith are answered in the FAQs of this tool. The link to this submission portal is available on our Funding Page during the published application periods. Already running grantees can access the portal with their link at any time.

After the deadline of the 1st step applications period, the foundation team examines the applications received. First, the basic application criteria are checked, in particular the status of the organisation as an NGO/NPO, the thematic focus area, the regional focus area, but also the amount of funding requested and the share of the requested KKF funding relative to the total costs of the project. Then the application is examined in detail, especially the project description, the project team size, the maturity of the project and the compatibility with the funding priorities of the Karl Kahane Foundation. After the team has reviewed the applications, the 2nd step application is submitted, which is again evaluated by the KKF team. This step is accompanied by a call with a KKF Team member to get to know each other and evaluate the compatibility of the project to the Karl Kahane Foundation. If the team is sure that the project and the organisation would be suitable as a KKF grantee, the application is presented to and discussed during one of the two annual Board Meetings. The final decision on funding support is made by the Foundation Board.

Grantees of the KKF are accompanied by calls and conversations with the foundation team, which serve to monitor any changing needs of the project. Besides the financial support offered to grantees, the Karl Kahane Foundation also seeks out other channels for support. Whenever possible and useful, we offer grantees strategic connections and networking opportunities, facilitate connections and reciprocal support amongst grantees, identify potential for growth within grantee organisations and advise on strategic development. All grantees are obligated to submit reports during "Reporting Grace Periods", which occur two times per year. The reports are intended to provide the foundation team with insights into the organisational work, the background and circumstances in which the organisation work, and potential issues or obstacles that might arise and require attention. 

Generally, all grantees are obligated to submit reports during our "Reporting Grace Periods", which occur two times per year, regardless of the status of the project. There are 3 types of reports for regular grantees: Progress Report, In-Depth Report and Final Report. Grantees are informed of the upcoming Grace Periods upon grant approval as well as 2-3 weeks in advance of each reporting period.
As of Fall/Winter 2023, reporting forms are available on the KKF’s new Grant Management System. The correct/corresponding form will appear automatically as you/the grantee logs-in to the Submission portal. Detailed instructions shared with grantees and available on the platform help during the submission process. 

The management office is the operational body of the Karl Kahane Foundation. The foundation team consists of different personalities sharing a common goal: to shape good projects with a sustainable impact on a partnership basis. The team members coordinate the application cycles, prepare all important documents and events for the Foundation Board meetings, align the various funding streams, support the projects' development and maintain contact with the (current and past) organisations as well as other partners in the KKF network. Currently, the team consists of Roos van Kleef (CEO), Silva Lässer (Programme Officer) and Fiorella Linder (Foundation Coordinator).

The KKF believes in an ethical approach to philanthropy and in leading by example. For this reason, we have established a Code of Conduct with which we want to hold ourselves accountable to our mission statement and vision. The Code of Conduct can be found on our website and via the following link.

The Karl Kahane Foundation operates as an independent, non-political and non-religious charitable foundation. In our grantmaking, we strive to be flexible, attuned to the needs of our grantees and involved in our network. We foster close relationships and open communication with our grantees. In everything we do, we hope to support the sustainable development of the work done by our grantees.

In many cases, we consider ourselves to be catalysts for change in the sense that we especially like to support women-led projects and organisations, organisations led by people with lived experience and by including marginalised people not only as passive beneficiaries but as active drivers of change. Diversity, equity and inclusion are cornerstones not only influencing our own organisation but also our partnership and we are interested in funding diverse organisations and projects in general.

The Karl Kahane Foundation generally considers applications for both new applicants and existing grantees for funding periods of one year. Some exceptions may apply, but these have been discussed individually with the grantee and responsible KKF team member. After the one year funding period, grantees can be invited to re-apply the same project for further funding periods of each one year.