FOUNDER
The Karl Kahane Foundation was established in 1991 by the late Karl Kahane as an independent, privately funded, non-political and non-religious charitable foundation, and is based in Switzerland.
Karl Kahane (1920-1993), who served as the President of the foundation until his death, was an Austrian entrepreneur and a close friend of Bruno Kreisky. He supported politicians and peace activists at the time of the first peace talks between Israel and Egypt and acted as a facilitator between the different parties.
Kahane said of himself: "I categorise neither my friends nor employees, neither my sympathies nor antipathies according to religion or race". He considered it his duty to be on the side of the weak and to dedicate part of the proceeds from the family companies to not-for-profit organisations.
BOARD
Patricia Kahane
since 1993, President since 2005
Marie-Rose Kahane
since 1991, President 1993 - 2005
Prof. Dr. Christian Brückner
since 1993
Reto Lardelli
since 2003
Matteo Zevi
since 2018
Alice Kahane
since 2018
FOUNDATION TEAM
Roos van Kleef
Program Manager
Alexandra Vietinghoff-Sheel
Administrator
Robert Slade
Program and Administrative Assistant
FUNDING
THEMATIC FOCUS AREAS
- Accessibility
- Social Mobility
- Migration/Integration
GEOGRAPHIC REGIONS OF FOCUS
- Europe
- MENAT (Middle East, North Africa and Turkey)
AMONG
OUR MOST
IMPORTANT
PARTNERS
THE
IMPORTANT
ROLE OF
JUNGBUNZLAUER
HOLDING AG
Without the significant contribution of Jungbunzlauer, owned by the Kahane Family, we would not be able to do our work. Jungbunzlauer continues to hold its place as one of the world’s leading producers of biodegradable key ingredients of natural origin.
Today, the company employs around 1100 people globally with four manufacturing plants and numerous sales offices all over the world.