Freddy Fischer Stiftung
WE LIVE WITH COMPASSION
About the freddy fischer foundation
What we do and why we do it
Giving hope together.
Opening up new possibilities.
Making a difference in people’s lives.
The freddy fischer foundation was founded on a deep conviction: Every person deserves a real chance—regardless of where they come from or what obstacles life throws their way.
1. Empowering young people – through education and sports
Many children and young people don’t have an easy start in life. We provide them with projects and places of hope and growth: At the Don Bosco Club Essen-Borbeck, a dying community hub was transformed back into a vibrant center for an entire neighborhood through new programs and caring support.
With “Immersatt” we ensure that learning doesn’t fall by the wayside because of an empty stomach—and we see how educational opportunities improve when support is available. Week after week, our Social Boxing Club demonstrates what sports can achieve: discipline, personal responsibility, courage. Taking life into one’s own hands.
At places like the Freie Schule Essen-Katernberg, we see how children and young people flourish when they feel valued and discover their talents. Small miracles happen here—with every new idea, every new smile.
2. Supporting Seniors – Bringing Meaning and Warmth to Everyday Life
Through AlltagsLächeln, we bring joy to the daily lives of older adults in care facilities such as the Johannes-Rau-Haus in Moers. Through qigong, yoga, small adventure outings, interactive gardens, and heartwarming encounters, we give them what is truly priceless: a zest for life, a sense of community, and a feeling of being valued—day after day.
3. Bringing Democracy to Life – Shaping the Environment and the Future
At the Blaues Haus in Duisburg-Hochfeld, the Freie Schule in Essen-Katernberg, and other institutions, we show children and young people that their voices matter. They experience participation, learn about democracy, and realize that change begins with their own first step.
At the same time, we are passionately committed to protecting our environment and taking responsibility for our world—for today and for future generations.
4. Solidarity Award from the freddy fischer Foundation and the NRZ
Because humanity deserves to be seen.
There are people who change our world—quietly, steadily, with a big heart. They don’t stand in the spotlight; they don’t seek attention. But they give their time, hope, and support—exactly where it’s needed most. With the Solidarity Award, we honor these unsung heroes. Not because they demand recognition. But because they deserve it.
What began as a conversation between Freddy Fischer and the NRZ is now much more than an award: It is a token of gratitude, appreciation, and silent applause for all those who make our society more humane—in sports clubs, refugee initiatives, reading mentorships, or nature conservation projects.
Together with the NRZ, we are sending a message: for courage. For compassion. For solidarity in action. Our jury doesn’t look for big headlines—it looks to the heart. Every project submitted tells a story of hope, solidarity, and genuine commitment.
Since 2010, we have awarded the prize seven times—and each time we have seen anew: Solidarity is contagious. Humanity makes a difference. And in the end, we all win.
Because: When people are there for one another, our world becomes brighter, warmer, and a better place to live.
Freddy Fischer sums it up:
“Solidarity and compassion are the social glue that makes our society humane and worth living in—and keeps us together.”
That’s exactly what it’s all about. Don’t just talk—take action.
For genuine cooperation. For a better future.
Board of Directors and Foundation Board
Freddy Fischer
Chairman of the board
A bright future can only be achieved together. In 2008, I founded the freddy fischer foundation to make real change possible.
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Our Mission:
Enable education
Promote health and sports
Enable aging with dignity
Strengthen understanding of democracy
Protect the climate
Develop entrepreneurship and solidarity for the common good
What We Do:
We inject new energy into existing social projects and support young visionaries who want to bring their ideas to life—not just for themselves, but for all of us.
Because: Sustainability, community spirit, solidarity, and entrepreneurship go hand in hand.
And the future doesn’t just happen on its own—we have to build it together.
In the past, coal was our wealth in the Ruhr region. Today, it’s people, ideas, and solidarity.
Our driving force: WE LIVE WITH EMPATHY
Our invitation to everyone:
“Let’s shape the world with courage, humanity, and togetherness—for today, tomorrow, and the generations to come.”
Freddy Fischer
Impact Founder
Frank Buchheister
Member of the board
Born in 1961, he embarked on a path to self-employment early on after completing vocational training in business, earning his diploma, and taking introductory courses in business administration.
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“I’ve lived in Essen my whole life. That’s also where I met the Fischer family. I liked the idea of the foundation from the very beginning, and I want to use the opportunities, connections, and synergies from my professional and personal life to help people in need through the foundation.”
Arnd Brechmann
Member of the board
Born in Essen in 1964; after graduating, he pursued vocational and academic training; he is a division director at Sparkasse Essen and a certified foundation advisor.
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“Ensuring that young people succeed in life is the guiding principle of the Catholic Church’s apostle to youth, St. Don Giovanni Bosco. Freddy and his wife are setting a powerful example in these times of selfishness and indifference. I am very grateful for this on behalf of the many children and young people here in the heart of the Ruhr region who do not have it easy in life. That is why I am happy to contribute my time and ideas to the goals and ambitions of the freddy fischer foundation, so that many disadvantaged children, too, may have a successful life.”
Facts and Figures
Foundation Name:
freddy fischer foundation – Chance Zukunft
Foundation Oversight:
District Administration Düsseldorf
Foundation headquarters:
45127 Essen, Severinstr. 20
Type of foundation:
Non-profit
Purpose of the foundation:
Child and Youth Services, Orphans
Key areas:
Sports & Integration, Education & Culture, Nutrition & Health
Date of approval:
02.04.2008
Homepage:
www.freddyfischer-stiftung.de
Freddy Fischer is the chairman of the board.
Other members of the board are Frank Buchheister and Arnd Brechmann.
The members of the Foundation Board are: Waltraut Schultz and Susanne Neummann.
Funding Priorities
Education & Culture 39.7%
Nutrition & Health 37.9%
Sports & Integration 22.5%
Background and Motivation
Meeting Gisela Wirtgen, founder of the advocacy group “Kinder in Not,” and supporting her “St. Peter Academy” project in the Philippines inspired Freddy Fischer to launch a similar initiative in his own region. He saw how ideas and visions could be turned into action and how, with dedicated teams, entire regions could be guided toward a better future in the long term.
For the freddy fischer foundation, this means, in concrete terms: providing support to children, young people, and families in various life situations. This includes adolescents living in dire social conditions or on the streets. Organizations that take these children off the streets deserve our support.
Christian and Buddhist institutions make important contributions to improving the living conditions of children, young people, and families. The foundation also wishes to support such projects. The pediatric oncology ward at a hospital is also to receive our support. Children in this situation need every possible kind of help. There is also a need for individual support when there are neither parents nor sponsors. An orphan with special musical talents who cannot afford instrument lessons or an instrument deserves a chance at an education.
Older teenagers and young adults up to about 27 years of age deserve opportunities to get started on their path to self-employment. Every entrepreneurial venture begins with a good idea. The foundation can support networking and access to capital, including interest-free loans. Single mothers who want to start their own businesses with a good idea should also be supported. We want not only to provide financial support for these projects, but also to participate in debates on social values and identify new paths toward a better future for people and our region.
Fundraising activities
Successful fundraising is essential to fulfilling the foundation’s mission and, by extension, all of its projects in a long-term and sustainable manner. The freddy fischer foundation benefits from numerous reliable and diverse sources of support. Friends, acquaintances, and companies regularly come up with special charity initiatives to support the foundation.
For example, innovative events are held to raise funds for the foundation. These include the Drive-In Movie Night, organized by the Road Stop Group, and the Essen Company Run, in which msp fields a team of runners every year. Another example is Cycle Bros Essen, a group of enthusiastic cyclists from Essen who ride together for a good cause.
As early as 2010, there was a major community event at the Cologne Marathon, in which approximately 110 runners participated together to support the foundation. Spoocha, a cycling team from the Ruhr region, regularly took on challenges under the motto “Share your Fortune.” Felix Wortelboer ran the New York Marathon; there were darts tournaments, a Harley auction, flea market events, a massage workshop, the “Hamma-Wurf-WM,” the Maypole celebration, and the “Kohle für Kohle” campaign. At the Vending Machine Entrepreneurs’ Day in Essen, a “Night of Charity and Entertainment” was launched, during which vending machine companies provided high-quality equipment and prizes that were then auctioned off, given away, or raffled.
All of these events were organized to raise funds for the foundation’s projects. The Freddy Fischer Foundation is deeply moved and would like to say to everyone involved: Thank you for showing such compassion!