ERSTE Foundation, based in Vienna, is Austria’s largest savings bank foundation and serves as the core shareholder in Erste Group Bank AG. The foundation traces its origins to the Erste österreichische Spar-Casse, established in 1819 with the goal of providing ordinary people access to financial security and independence—a mission that continues in its present form since the foundation’s creation in December 2003.
As part of its legal obligations, ERSTE Foundation holds a significant share in the bank, ensuring its independence, and directs a portion of the dividend yields into funding projects that benefit society, primarily in Central, Eastern, and Southeastern Europe. Its activities revolve around a few core areas: financial health for all segments of society, protection and strengthening of democratic values and principles, supporting those who care for others, and fostering contemporary culture.
The foundation operates initiatives such as the ERSTE Foundation Library, established in 2007, which holds around 12,000 volumes on subjects like cultural theory, social banking, minority and gender issues, and regional development. The library is publicly accessible and centers its collection geographically on Central and Southeastern Europe.
Recent examples of the foundation’s engagement include scholarships for technology students at Austria’s University of Klagenfurt, support for civic engagement in resilience projects, and the promotion of artistic and cultural exchange throughout the region. Financial reports and organizational information published by the foundation illustrate its ongoing role as both a philanthropic actor and a major financial stakeholder in one of Austria’s most prominent banking groups.