Stiftungen und soziale Innovationen

Abstract

The following article explores the question of how foundations can promote social innovations. The first part deals with the foundation as organizational type, its regulatory environment and dominant foundations strategies. Foundations are often described as catalyst and initiators of social innovation. However, if foundations really can fulfill this role has been difficult to assess. The term social innovation was used rather as a buzz word and without sufficient analytical reflection. Therefore, the second part of the paper discusses social innovation from a social science research perspective. A definition is provided and the process of social innovation is explained. In the third part the concept of social innovation is applied to foundations. Different tools foundations can use to initiate and promote social innovations are discussed. Finally, an ideal type of a foundation for social innovation is presented.