Genesis and Objectives of the Vereinigte Kurländische Stiftungen

The Courlandic Noble corporation has traditionally founded charitable endowments, supporting and administrating them. Thus, the end of the 19th century saw twenty-four endowments headed or controlled by the Courlandic Landtag (representative assembly) or the Ritterschafts-Comité (Special Committee of the noble corporation). Several endowments have continued in existence until the present time, such as that of Ada Baronin v. Manteuffel, née Countess Apraxin, founded in 1914, and that of Ulrich Baron v. der Osten-Sacken of 1927. Both endowments are administrated by the Courlandic Noble corporation. In 1979, they were joined to form the Vereinigte Kurländische Stiftungen (United Courland Foundations), whose registered seat is in Munich. Generous contributions to these endowments by Adelheid Baronin v. der Ropp (in 1977), Cécile Baronin v. Oelsen (in 1978), and Olga v. Timroth (in 1998) have enabled the endowment trusts to work more effectively.

Objectives

The foundations are active in the following areas:
  • Support of ladies and gentlemen who are members of the Courlandic Noble corporation and who are in financial need, for example on the basis of non-recurrent or regular financial aid
  • Scholarships or special grants to gifted and disciplined ladies and gentlemen who are members of the Courlandic Noble corporation
  • Fostering of the values and traditions of the province of Courland, and of the knowledge of its history, e.g. by publications or events
  • Fostering of cultural values, for example by contributing to the maintenance of historic buildings in Courland
  • Support of church and social institutions in Courland, such as by providing relief supplies or machinery. The Vereinigte Kurländische Stiftungen (United Courland Foundations) have the capacity to be a subject of legal rights and duties under German law. As a public endowment under public law, they solely and directly pursue objectives serving the welfare of the public, as well as charitable objectives. They are recognized as a public corporation enjoying tax privileges and are a member of the Bundesverband Deutscher Stiftungen (Federal Association of German Endowments).