German Christmas Lottery: Good Causes
The Deutsche Weihnachtslotterie has supported a variety of good causes since the first draw was held in 2017. The game was initially established solely to help disadvantaged young Germans.
The Navidad Foundation, a non-profit organisation based in Cologne, was granted a licence to run the Weihnachtslotterie in 2016 and set up the first draw the following year, vowing that all profits from the lottery would go to its partners.
The Navidad Foundation has not run the German Christmas Lottery since 2018 - the game currently operates as an online raffle game that gives players the chance to win great prizes up to €400,000 – but these are the good causes it has previously supported:
Deutsche Kinder- und Jugenstiftung (German Children and Youth Foundation)
Donations to this foundation helped children and teenagers as they transitioned from kindergarden to elementary school, to a new grade at school, or into working life. Children with a difficult start in life were supported in order to help give them a fair chance, regardless of whether or not they were born in the country. The foundation actively supported projects in the education sector in Germany and continues to work today, but proceeds for the lottery do not go towards this cause as the Navidad Foundation is no longer involved.
Stiftung Lesen (Reading Foundation)
The Stiftung Lesen encourages reading both for children and grown-ups in Germany. With easily accessible programs, the goal is to make it possible for every German to be an informed member of society and to know their rights. The Navidad Foundation distributed money from the Christmas Lottery to help improve literacy levels.
Lukas Podolski Foundation
The Lukas Podolski Foundation fights child poverty and encourages integration and international understanding. By offering practical and sensible recreational activities, it helps children and teenagers to prepare for working life. The foundation places a great emphasis on sports, where youngsters can learn about opportunities and prospects for their futures. The Navidad Foundation supported Lukas Podolski’s good work while it ran the Weihnachtslotterie.
Auma Obama Foundation Sauti Kuu
Sauti Kuu is a foundation that works in both Kenya and Germany to help children achieve independence and self-reliance. It benefited from proceeds of the Christmas Lottery in 2017 and 2018. Different initiatives support children’s personality development and their education. Sauti Kuu is Kiswahili for “strong voices”.