Because every person counts
In accordance with Walter Blüchert's life's work and legacy, our support is guided by the principle: Help that reaches those in need has a lasting impact – and every person counts. The goal is to strengthen both body and soul, enable social participation, and initiate positive changes in the lives of those affected.
Decisions regarding funding are always made on a case-by-case basis after careful consideration – without any legal entitlement to foundation grants. There are no fixed application deadlines; applications can be submitted at any time. This ensures that our support remains flexible, personal, and effective – always with the individual at the center.
Downloads
Selection criteria
Support is provided to individuals who, due to their physical or mental condition or an economic emergency, need a helping hand and receive no or insufficient support from public funds or health insurance benefits.
In our funding area (Germany, Austria, Switzerland), we provide financial assistance in exceptional individual cases when benefits from public funds – such as social welfare offices, health insurance companies, or job centers – are not possible or insufficient. This ensures that our support reaches those who need it most.
We support people in particularly challenging life situations by financing urgently needed, one-off measures that enable a noticeable improvement in their living conditions.
Our support is always individually tailored to the specific needs and is usually provided in the form of in-kind benefits, medical or therapeutic treatments, necessary aids, equipment or other targeted purchases.
We cannot provide support for expenses that are not directly related to an acute emergency or that do not correspond to the foundation's purpose. This includes, in particular:
- Ongoing obligations such as rent, utilities, living expenses, or costs for maintaining a vehicle.
- Financial liabilities such as debt, credit or loan repayments.
- Existing or outstanding invoices, as well as cash payment.
- Loan provision.
- Education and training costs (e.g. school, training, studies, further education or training courses and learning materials).
- Court and lawyer fees, litigation or consulting costs.
- Private purposes such as holidays, leisure activities.
- Funeral expenses.
- Health-related expenses that are outside our scope (e.g., operations or therapies abroad, dolphin therapies, alternative healing methods or fertility treatments).
- Costs for real estate such as purchase, broker or deposit payments, or extensive renovations (e.g., bathroom renovation).
- Costs for the purchase and/or conversion of a (disabled-friendly) vehicle.
- Costs for acquiring and training an assistance dog.
Application process
Please first read the information on the funding conditions and guidelines (see Downloads) to assess whether your request aligns with the foundation's purpose. If you are unsure, you are welcome to send us an email/inquiry in advance with a brief description of your request and the specific funding requirements – we will provide you with an initial assessment.
Before we can provide support, all other options must be exhausted. Therefore, submit applications to the relevant authorities such as the job center, social welfare office, or health insurance company, and keep any rejection notices.
Please submit your application by mail. Use the provided form (see Downloads) and attach all required documents and supporting evidence.
After receiving your complete application, we will carefully review your request. We will contact you if we have any questions or if any documents are missing. Please bear in mind that the strong interest in our foundation's work and funding opportunities results in a high volume of inquiries, which is why processing incoming requests and applications takes time.
Important: Funding is only granted after prior written approval. The complete application must be submitted before the start of the project so that we can review and decide. Contracts (e.g., treatment or service agreements) may only be concluded after our express written approval. Existing contractual obligations, contracts already entered into, ongoing projects, services already rendered, or retroactive assumptions – including refinancing or payment of existing invoices – are excluded.
FAQ
Yes. In order to provide direct support to people in need, we require a registered residential address and corresponding bank account details for the review and potential subsequent approval of the application.
We have not defined a minimum income threshold for submitting an application. The focus of the funding is on the exclusive and direct support of individuals in need; every application for funding is thoroughly reviewed for plausibility.
No. A complete application with all required documents (including a cost estimate/proof of need) is a prerequisite for review. Submit the complete application as soon as you can demonstrate your specific funding needs.
No. Only the applicant for funding can submit an application themselves. For minors, this must be done jointly with an authorized representative (e.g., a parent), whose authorization to represent the minor must be verified beforehand.
If you, as a private individual (e.g., as an employee of a social services agency without power of attorney or as a family friend), wish to support someone, this requires a release from confidentiality along with a copy of the applicant's identity card (the original release from confidentiality must be sent by mail). We can only communicate with you regarding your case after receiving these documents.
In cases of legal guardianship, conservatorship, or supplementary guardianship, additional documentation of the power of representation is required to comply with data protection regulations and legal requirements, and to clarify the respective legal situation in advance. Only after these documents have been submitted can the application be processed and a consultation with the power of representation take place. Processing is not possible without this documentation.
Applying through a social service provider or organization such as Caritas, Diakonie, AWO, or independent social welfare agencies is not required – anyone can apply individually. Consultation is therefore not mandatory, but highly recommended.
During a consultation, your situation will be professionally assessed and it will be determined whether all available support services (e.g., social benefits, basic income support) have already been exhausted. Furthermore, the agencies provide concrete assistance with applications to foundations, including document preparation and help with wording.
We would like to expressly point out that funding is granted exclusively after prior written approval from our foundation. A complete application must be submitted to us before the commencement of the requested project so that we can review it individually and make a binding decision before the project can begin. The requested funding and all related contractual agreements (in particular service contracts, treatment contracts, or other binding commitments) may only be concluded and signed after receipt of our express written approval.
Existing contractual obligations, contracts already entered into, ongoing measures, services already rendered or retroactive takeovers – including the refinancing or settlement of existing invoices – are excluded.
Multiple grant applications are expressly permitted and often advisable to secure full funding. Partial funding from several foundations is possible, provided the overall need is clearly identifiable.
A prerequisite for funding from the Karin and Walter Blüchert Memorial Foundation is the complete and transparent disclosure of all other applications submitted, funding commitments received, or support already granted (e.g., copies of other commitments). The foundation does not permit double funding – approved applications from other foundations must be utilized first. For disbursement, proof of the total financing of the project, including all costs, is required. Changes (needs, financial situation) must be reported immediately in writing. If information about other funding institutions is deliberately withheld or concealed, we reserve the right to reclaim funds already committed, in accordance with our funding guidelines.
We strive to process applications quickly, but cannot guarantee a specific processing time. The strong interest in our foundation's work and funding opportunities results in a high volume of requests, which is why processing applications takes time. Please refrain from inquiring about the status of your application – we will contact you proactively with any decisions or questions.
No. Funding for invoices that have already been paid or are still outstanding is not possible.
No. The foundation's decisions are made at its sole discretion. There is no legal entitlement to foundation benefits. A rejection of an application does not require justification, as the funding does not constitute a legally binding guarantee. In this context, we would like to refer you to our Funding guidelines.
