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commerzbank’s social commitment
The society in which we live has certain expectations of companies. We take our responsibility
towards society seriously, initiate projects of our own and support efforts which
we consider to merit sponsorship. In this report, we offer a representative selection of
these activities, the emphasis being on issues supported by the Commerzbank Foundation.
In addition, we describe our cooperation with German national parks, and report on the
assistance we provided for the victims of both September 11 and last summer’s flood
catastrophe. We also show pictures of this year’s awards in connection with the initiative
to thank people holding honorary functions in sport, which we launched in conjunction
with Deutscher Sportbund.
Commerzbank Foundation
It was set up on the hundredth birthday of Commerzbank AG in Hamburg, the city where
the Bank was formed, on February 26, 1970. It was endowed with a capital of DM5m. In the
tradition of a civic foundation, its object was quite consciously defined broadly, enabling
the Foundation to become active in all areas of public benefit. In the course of the
next three decades, its capital was gradually increased in line with its growing functions,
reaching DM50m by end-2000. With uncommitted reserves included, it currently stands at
almost 730m.
The goals of the Foundation have also been adapted and extended several times to
reflect developments in society, the topics culture and historical monuments being added
in 1984, and protection of the environment and nature in 1992. Unlike more recent
institutions with more narrowly defined goals, the Commerzbank Foundation has consistently
pursued its original objective of being active in all areas that are of public benefit.
In the 33 years of its existence, it has devoted itself to providing support in the following
areas: the promotion of universities, (non-university) scholarship and research, basic,
vocational and further training, churches, charity and healthcare, cultural sponsorship and
the protection of historical monuments. In the meantime, it provides support of roughly
71.2m each year. All told, the Commerzbank Foundation has donated 712.8m since it was
set up.