In its second round of reviews for the 2026 funding year, the Board of Trustees of Endlager Konrad Stiftungsgesellschaft mbH, chaired by Mayor Frank Klingebiel, approved grants totaling approximately 1.5 million euros for an additional 50 projects. This means that in 2026 alone, a total of 127 projects will receive funding totaling 3.7 million euros!

Board Chairman Mayor Klingebiel: “This sends a very strong signal in support of our vital volunteer work and our entire urban community! With its annual grants, our foundation has been the largest supporter of nonprofit projects in Salzgitter, Lengede, and Vechelde since its founding in 2011. During my very difficult and intensive negotiations at the time to establish the foundation with then-Federal Environment Ministers Sigmar Gabriel (SPD) and Dr. Norbert Röttgen (CDU) to establish the foundation, I was absolutely certain that we were doing and creating something good and sustainable for the volunteers in our city of Salzgitter and the communities of Lengede and Vechelde. Today—15 years later—I can say that, with the approximately 28.9 million euros in grants already distributed to support 1,081 charitable projects, we have sustainably strengthened volunteer work—which underpins and enriches our urban society—in a way that is so important. This brings great joy to me, our board members, and our executive team!”

Klingebiel provides specifics for this year, 2026: “Our foundation received over 180 applications by the deadline—an enormous number that demonstrates just how diverse and active our volunteer community is, but also a high number that makes it clear that it is impossible to thoroughly discuss and decide on all project applications in just one meeting. We will even need a third meeting in 2026 and ask the 29 applicants who have not yet received a decision to please be patient.”

Executive Directors Simone Kessner and Rainer Dworog add: “The smallest grant awarded at this second board meeting—approximately 1,700 euros—goes to MTV Lichtenberg for two table tennis tables to be used by children, youth, and seniors.” Among the four major projects funded at this second board of trustees meeting is a grant to the Ringelheim Shooting Guild for the energy-efficient renovation and modernization of its shooting range, outdoor facilities, and outbuilding, totaling approximately 103,000 euros. In addition, the Aero Salzgitter Sports Association will receive 144,000 euros for the purchase of a tow-type ultralight aircraft, and 280,000 euros each were approved for the SV Union Salzgitter sports club to modernize its sports facility and for the KSV Vahdet Salzgitter to install an artificial turf field.”

An overview of the additional 50 grants approved for 2026, totaling approximately 1.5 million euros, is attached. Twenty-nine additional project proposals are still pending review.