Foundation in 2002 as ‘Start-up-NGO’
29.07.2011
foodwatch was founded in 2002 as a non-profit organisation. The initial funding came from long-term loans and donations.
foodwatch was planned and founded as a “start-up NGO” (NGO = nongovernmental organisation). The idea was to launch foodwatch with enough seed capital to quickly establish itself as a self-sustaining organisation, able to finance its activities through sustaining members and small donations. From the very beginning foodwatch has chosen not to accept government funding. EUR 1.5 million as seed capital A seed capital of approx. EUR 1.5 million was invested in the establishment of the organisation during the first three years. About one third of this capital consisted of long-term loans from the GLS Gemeinschaftsbank and private individuals. In addition, grant money was provided from the foundation Zukunftsstiftung Landwirtschaft in Bochum and the individuals Rolf Gerling, Clemens Haindl, Alfred Ritter and Karl-Ludwig Schweisfurth. These donors continued to support the work of foodwatch for many years. foodwatch was founded in the wake of the BSE crisis. Accordingly agriculture and the animal feed industry were initially the main focus of its activities. Over the past few years foodwatch has shifted its focus to the food industry, drawing public attention to practices that are not in the interests of consumers. To account for this new focus, foodwatch has also changed its donation policies: no donations whatsoever are accepted from the food industry. foodwatch checks the source of any donation totalling EUR 500 or more per year in order to verify that no connection exists to the food industry or food retail sector. Under this new policy, for example, a donation from Alfred Ritter or Karl Ludwig Schweisfurth would no longer be accepted. 2009: 100% funding through membership contributionsSince 2009 foodwatch has been able to completely cover its operating expenses of around one million euros through the membership fees of sustaining members and small donations. However, foodwatch continues to seek grants from foundations, as well as large donations, in order to fund additional projects.
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