ABSTRACT
Political foundations are relevant actors of civil democracy protection. This chapter explores the nature of their contribution to that task. For this purpose and as the “protection of democracy” leaves room for strategic, substantial, and organisational discussion, the foundations’ own interpretation of this task deserves attention. It is not only the foundations’ conceptual documents (bylaws and mission statements) that are considered but also their practices. In view of the foundations’ impact on the public as well as the state, it is also asked what conditions a foundation must meet to be able to exert influence over a longer period. Also, the chapter sheds light on the relationship between the foundations and the state’s protection of democracy, particularly the institutions concerned with that task (namely the Verfassungsschutz). By merging all of these aspects, this contribution concludes with a typology of foundations working to protect democracy.
