Franz Beckenbauer founded the Franz Beckenbauer Foundation to help people who had less fortune in life than he did. Today, his family continues this legacy with heart and responsibility.
When Franz ended his active football career in 1982, he decided to give something back and become socially involved. With the proceeds from his farewell match, he founded the Franz Beckenbauer Foundation.
At the heart of the foundation’s work is direct individual assistance: quick and straightforward. The foundation supports people with disabilities as well as those who are ill or in need through no fault of their own. Whether it’s adapting a vehicle for accessibility, funding therapies, providing specialized wheelchairs, or helping with illness-related expenses, living costs, or household appliances — the support goes precisely where it is needed.
KaiserCup 2022 in support of the Franz Beckenbauer Foundation in Bad Griesbach (Foto: Schneider-Press/W. Breiteneicher)
The foundation’s operations are characterized by transparency and sustainability. The foundation’s capital, originally endowed with one million marks, remains permanently preserved, while earnings and donations are used to finance its activities. The foundation thrives on a strong network: various partners and prominent ambassadors such as Lothar Matthäus and Rudi Völler.
Events also play a role: for example, charity golf tournaments such as the former “Kaiser Cup,” which is now continued as the Bastian Schweinsteiger Cup. The “Kaiser Cup” was a charity golf tournament organized for more than 30 years by the Quellness Golf Resort Bad Griesbach in support of the foundation. After Franz’s passing, Bastian Schweinsteiger took over as patron.
Additional events such as charity talk dinners and the FRANZ Memorial Cup, among others, have also generated donations for the foundation.
Another highlight was the “Beckenbauer Cup”: a legends tournament in honor of the Kaiser, organized by FC Bayern as part of its 125th anniversary. Legends teams from clubs such as Real Madrid, AC Milan, and Ajax competed against each other at the SAP Garden. The net proceeds of the event went to the foundation.
A cooperation with the DFL Foundation and the “Gute Freunde Support Fund” aims to enable children and young people with disabilities to participate in sports.
Since 1982, the Kaiser has been committed through the Franz Beckenbauer Foundation to helping people in need (Foto: Privat)
The foundation is designed for eternity.
The Kaiser’s family has made it their mission to continue the foundation. His wife Heidi and his son Joel Beckenbauer are on the board of the Franz Beckenbauer Foundation and today carry it forward with the same passion and dedication that distinguished the Kaiser himself. With personal commitment, closeness to people, and a clear commitment to the foundation’s goals, they ensure that help continues to reach exactly where it is needed most.
Get in touch
The Franz Beckenbauer Foundation thrives on giving people hope. Anyone facing a difficult situation and in need of support can easily submit an application on the official foundation website. Likewise, all those who wish to contribute with a donation to help continue the work of Franz and his family are warmly invited to do so. Simply click on the link below to access the foundation’s website.
