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Max Kade Foundation

Annual Giving
$4.0M
Grant Range
$15K - $0.1M

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $4,025,015 (2023)
  • Success Rate: Not publicly available
  • Decision Time: Varies; larger grants reviewed at bi-annual board meetings
  • Grant Range: Varies by program (individual fellowships: $15,000-$72,000)
  • Geographic Focus: National (US-based institutions with German studies programs)

Contact Details

Address: 6 East 87th Street, New York, NY 10128

Phone: (646) 672-4354

Website: https://www.maxkadefoundation.org

Grant Applications: Written proposals must be mailed to Lya Friedrich Pfeifer, JD at the above address (no email submissions accepted)

Overview

The Max Kade Foundation was established in 1944 by German-American industrialist Max Kade and his wife Annette to promote cultural exchange and understanding between the United States and German-speaking countries. Initially focused on post-WWII recovery efforts, the foundation shifted to supporting academic programs and German-American cultural relations. After Max Kade's death in 1967, the foundation became the full beneficiary of his estate and has continued to advance his ideals of international cooperation through education. The foundation is a private endowed organization that distributes approximately $4 million annually to support Germanic studies, scholarly exchanges, and language programs at American universities and research institutions. Current president Lya Friedrich Pfeifer has led the foundation since 2003.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Postdoctoral Research Exchange Programs

  • Supports American universities and research institutions hosting postdoctoral exchange researchers from Germany and Austria
  • Visiting scholars nominated by their home institutions
  • Participating universities select research scholars and determine training/research focus
  • Fellowship amounts: $72,000 per annum plus travel and family allowances (for some programs)

Visiting Faculty Exchange Programs

  • "Distinguished Visiting Professorships" in foreign language and literature
  • Grants provided on a "challenge basis" to supplement institutional costs
  • Limited funds available
  • Scholar selection left to university's judgment

Language Teacher Training and Study Abroad

  • Assists universities in training language teachers
  • Supports undergraduate and graduate study abroad programs
  • Funds international conferences
  • Graduate fellowship programs: $15,000-$22,000 annually (varies by institution)

Language Center Equipment and Max Kade Houses

  • Establishes Max Kade Houses at universities in the U.S. and Germany
  • Facilities include meeting rooms, lecture rooms, lounges, sleeping quarters, and libraries

Priority Areas

  • Germanic studies programs at American universities
  • Scholarly and scientific research exchanges between the U.S., Germany, and Austria
  • Foreign language competency and cultural understanding
  • Transatlantic academic collaboration
  • Cross-cultural understanding through educational exchanges

What They Don't Fund

  • Individual applicants (grants only to institutions)
  • Non-501(c)(3) organizations
  • Multi-year grant commitments (yearly basis only)
  • More than one grant per organization per year for the same general purpose

Governance and Leadership

Presidents of the Max Kade Foundation:

  1. Max Kade (1944-1965): Founder and first president. German-born entrepreneur who immigrated to New York in 1905 and built a pharmaceutical fortune through "Pertussin" cough medicine. Dedicated himself fully to philanthropy from 1956 until his death in 1967.

  2. Erich H. Markel (1965-1999): Appointed by Max Kade as his successor

  3. Hans G. Hachmann (1999-2003)

  4. Lya Friedrich Pfeifer, JD (2003-Present): Current president overseeing all grant operations

The Board of Directors now has responsibility for selecting future presidents and meets twice annually to review larger grant proposals. In 2017, the Board increased the number of graduate fellowships from one to two, demonstrating active engagement in expanding the foundation's programs.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

Applications accepted year-round through written proposals only. Email submissions are not accepted.

Required Materials:

  1. Organization name and address
  2. Detailed project description
  3. Specific amount requested
  4. Copy of IRS 501(c)(3) determination letter
  5. Project time frame

Submission Address: Lya Friedrich Pfeifer, JD Max Kade Foundation 6 East 87th Street New York, NY 10128

Eligibility:

  • Only educational institutions and 501(c)(3) tax-exempt public charities may apply
  • Individual applicants are not eligible
  • Organizations may receive only one grant per year for the same general purpose

Decision Timeline

  • Grant requests may be submitted at any time during the year
  • Larger grant proposals are submitted to the Board of Directors, which meets twice annually
  • Specific decision timeframes are not publicly disclosed
  • Multi-year commitments are not encouraged; grants are approved on a yearly basis only

Success Rates

Success rates and application statistics are not publicly available.

Reapplication Policy

While specific reapplication policies are not detailed, the foundation's policy of awarding only one grant per organization per year for the same general purpose suggests organizations with new or different projects may apply again in subsequent years.

Reporting Requirements:

  • Grant recipients must submit a written report with budget information after project completion
  • Reports must describe project execution and account for all expenditures
  • Unused funds must be refunded to the Foundation

Application Success Factors

Based on the foundation's stated priorities and programs, successful applications demonstrate:

Alignment with Germanic Studies Focus: The foundation emphasizes that "studying at a foreign university is the most helpful means of approaching efficiency in a foreign language and culture." Projects that facilitate immersive cultural and linguistic experiences are central to their mission.

Institutional Capacity: Since visiting scholars and faculty are selected by participating universities, the foundation trusts institutional judgment. Applications should demonstrate strong institutional support and capacity to manage exchange programs effectively.

Transatlantic Exchange: The foundation was founded with the goal to "sow the seeds of friendship where there had been enmity" between the U.S. and German-speaking countries. Projects that foster genuine bilateral relationships and mutual understanding align with founder Max Kade's vision.

Clear Educational Outcomes: The foundation supports programs where universities "determine the training and research" for visiting scholars. Applications should articulate specific academic and cultural learning objectives.

Challenge Grant Model: For visiting professorships, grants are provided on a "challenge basis" to supplement institutional costs, suggesting the foundation values institutional co-investment in projects.

Recent Funding Examples: The foundation has funded two postdoctoral fellowships annually at Freie Universität Berlin since 2017, indicating sustained commitment to established programs that demonstrate success.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Institution-only applications: Only tax-exempt educational institutions may apply; individuals cannot apply directly
  • Mail-only submissions: The foundation does not accept email proposals—all applications must be mailed to President Lya Friedrich Pfeifer
  • Rolling applications with bi-annual review: While applications are accepted year-round, larger proposals are reviewed by the Board at twice-yearly meetings, so timing matters for substantial requests
  • One grant per purpose annually: Organizations cannot receive multiple grants for the same purpose in a single year, but may apply for different programs or purposes
  • Germanic studies focus is non-negotiable: All programs must relate to German language, culture, studies, or exchange with Germany/Austria
  • Yearly grants only: The foundation strongly discourages multi-year commitments, preferring annual renewals
  • Final reporting is mandatory: Unused funds must be returned, and detailed budget accounting is required, indicating the foundation values fiscal responsibility and accountability

References

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