Bertelsmann Stiftung is an independent, nonprofit foundation headquartered in Gütersloh, Germany. Founded in 1977 by Reinhard Mohn, the foundation emerged from his belief that financial wealth brings social responsibility and that individuals should play an active role in fostering societal progress. Since its inception, the Bertelsmann Stiftung has grown from a small staff to an institution with international reach, while remaining rooted in Gütersloh as its primary base.
Initially endowed with 100,000 Deutsche Marks, the foundation began its work with studies and initiatives focused on media, education, and civic engagement. Over the decades, it has broadened its scope to cover projects in democracy, social participation, economic competitiveness, digitalization, and healthcare. The foundation’s operational model emphasizes developing and managing its own projects in partnership with academia, government, and civil society.
One notable ongoing project is the Bertelsmann Transformation Index (BTI), which assesses the quality of democracy and governance in 137 countries. Another recent initiative is the publication of a white paper advocating for “Public AI” as a counterbalance to the concentration of artificial intelligence development among a few large private companies. The Bertelsmann Forum series in Gütersloh regularly gathers decision-makers to discuss social trends, such as AI’s impact on society.
The foundation is governed by a board that includes Reinhard Mohn’s family members and external experts, and it continues to seek measurable social impact through evidence-based, cross-sector engagement.