Dissolved Mannheim Business Foundation donates assets

The decision to dissolve the Mannheim Business Foundation was made after careful consideration of possible alternatives, following the departure of the two founding members and the resulting inability to fulfill the foundation's objectives on a permanent and sustainable basis. All members of the foundation board, including the departing members, approved the dissolution. The supervisory board and shareholders of the foundation's sponsor also unanimously approved the dissolution. In accordance with the foundation's statutes and the applicable legal provisions – and with the prior consent of the tax office – the remaining assets of the foundation will be transferred to the Popakademie Baden-Württemberg Foundation, which is also committed to promoting art and culture and international understanding. The statutes of the Mannheim Business Foundation also emphasize the “historical and contemporary significance of music for the city.” The transfer of the foundation's assets marks the end of the Mannheim Business Foundation's activities.

“We very much welcome the fact that the foundation's assets will be absorbed into the Popakademie Baden-Württemberg Foundation and that its purpose will continue to be fulfilled there. In this foundation, we have found a trustworthy institution whose purpose is exactly the same as that of the Mannheim Business Foundation. This enables us to ensure that the funds will continue to be used for charitable purposes,” says Martina Braun, Managing Director of Stadtmarketing Mannheim GmbH.

“We would like to thank all our partners and sponsors for their commitment and support, which made the foundation's work possible. By awarding the prize for attracting skilled workers, the Mannheim Business Foundation has recently encouraged people to continue their voluntary work,” adds Achim Ihrig, Chairman of the Supervisory Board of Stadtmarketing Mannheim GmbH (the foundation's sponsor).

“The Mannheim Business Foundation will live on in the Popakademie Foundation,” explains Mayor Christian Specht, deputy chairman of the supervisory board of Stadtmarketing GmbH, which was the foundation's sponsor. “I very much welcome and support this decision by the foundation's board. The foundation's funds are in very good hands there and will help to support the students of the Popakademie in the current difficult financial situation facing the cultural sector.”

"For us, the handover is an honorary recognition of our work. By accepting it, we are committing ourselves to promoting young talent at our university, which is important for Mannheim's cultural and academic landscape," add Michael Herberger, Business Director, Managing Director, and Head of the Music and Creative Industries Department at the Popakademie Baden-Württemberg, and Derek von Krogh, Artistic Director, Managing Director, and Head of the Popular Music Department. 

About the Mannheim Business Foundation

The Mannheim Business Foundation was established in 2005 on the occasion of the 400th anniversary of the city of Mannheim as an anniversary foundation for Mannheim's business community. The foundation is supported by Stadtmarketing Mannheim GmbH. The foundation's board consists of ABB AG, the Karin and Carl-Heinrich Esser Foundation, and Roche Diagnostics GmbH. The purpose of the foundation is to promote art and culture as well as international understanding. Another key aspect of the foundation's purpose is to encourage civic engagement through campaigns and appeals. Since 2017, the Mannheim Business Foundation has honored the outstanding commitment of private individuals or actors from business, science, or civil society who support people on their way into the professional world and public life, thereby strengthening the city's economy in the long term, with its “Prize for Attracting Skilled Workers.” The award focused on realistic and concrete offers of support.
Translated with DeepL.com (free version)