Lübeck's Daniela Appel Foundation wins the 2025 donor prize!

Lübeck's Daniela Appel Foundation wins the 2025 donor prize!

If the heart of music beats for everyone in Lübeck, then the Daniela Appel Foundation has once again impressively proven that commitment to young people knows no limits. On Friday, November 28, 2025, the foundation was awarded the prestigious Schleswig-Holstein Donor Prize. The award ceremony took place in Neumünster and was ceremoniously attended by Interior Minister Magdalena Finke (CDU) and state pastor Heiko Naß. It was the seventh celebration of this kind, honoring exemplary commitment to culture and society, what a great tradition!

The Daniela Appel Foundation was founded in February 2016 by Dr. Daniela Appel, a graduate of the Lübeck University of Music and teacher at the Johanneum. Its aim is to give children and young people with disabilities access to cultural activities. The foundation wants to offer participation and support, particularly in the musical area. Dr. Appel has a knack for creating an inclusive environment in Lübeck, and the foundation also actively works with cultural institutions to develop special offerings.

An inspiring commitment

The foundation shows how important art and culture are in enriching the lives of young people. With multiple projects, the commitment becomes tangible. These include the inclusive theater group Mixed Pickles e.V., which develops and performs its own plays every year, as well as Circus Charivari, which works with children and young people and even organizes tours to neighboring countries. These initiatives are essential to breaking down barriers and promoting diversity in the cultural scene.

The other nominated foundations were also honored during the award ceremony: The Millipede Foundation from Kaltenkirchen and the Elmshorn Community Foundation took second and third place and thus also represent exemplary commitment to the region. All three winning foundations can look forward to 10,000 euros in prize money, which they can use for their projects.

Foundations in Schleswig-Holstein

Foundations are an important pillar of social life in Schleswig-Holstein. In 2024, there were 813 legal foundations under civil law, with a focus on social services (50.4%), art and culture (32.3%) and education and training (30.6%). With 28 foundations per 100,000 residents, the density of foundations is slightly below the national average, but the commitment of those who take part speaks volumes. What is particularly noteworthy is that in the same year, six community foundations were awarded the seal of quality from the Alliance of Community Foundations in Germany.

Through its diverse funding projects, the Daniela Appel Foundation makes a valuable contribution to cultural participation in Lübeck and beyond. At a time when commitment to society is more important than ever, the foundation stands as a shining example for all those who want to work towards an inclusive future.

For more information about this impressive foundation and its work, take a look at articles from NDR and Diakonie Foundation. Those too Federal Association of German Foundations offers exciting insights into the foundation landscape of Schleswig-Holstein.