‘The Mary Foundation – HRH Crown Princess Mary’s Foundation’

Press release:
‘HRH The Crown Princess of Denmark establishes The Mary Foundation’

Objective
The governing principle of The Mary Foundation is that everyone has the right to belong.

The object of the Foundation is described in its Charter as follows:

‘The object of the Foundation is to improve the lives of children, adults and families who as the result of their environment, heredity, illness or other circumstances find themselves socially isolated or excluded. The Foundation aims to fulfil its objective by creating opportunities for these individuals and giving them a sense of affiliation and of belonging to a community. The Foundation furthermore undertakes to encourage tolerance of diversity and the revival of hope.’

The Mary Foundation will focus primarily on people living in Denmark, supporting integrated initiatives that go beyond religious and cultural differences and other forms of affiliation based on the governing principle that everyone has the right to belong.

Background
The initial capital of DKK 1.1 million was collected in Denmark and Greenland and donated as a gift on the occasion of the wedding of the TRH The Crown Prince and The Crown Princess in May 2004.

In August 2006 Crown Princess Mary took the first steps toward the current Foundation by establishing ‘The Mary Foundation – HRH Crown Princess Mary’s Foundation’. Since then, the Crown Princess and the Trustees have concentrated on formulating the Foundation Charter and building up its financial resources. At its inaugural meeting in September 2007, The Mary Foundation had a capital base of DKK 73.6 million, the result of donations from eight co-founders:

• Carlsberg A/S
• LEGO Holding A/S
• Nykredit
• Det Obelske Familiefond
• Oticon Fonden
• Poul Due Jensen's Fond
• Villum Kann Rasmussen Fonden
• TrygFonden smba

Organisation
The Mary Foundation is managed by a Board of Trustees with Crown Princess Mary as Chairman. The Trustees are unremunerated.

The Mary Foundation is advised by an Executive Council that follows the work of the Foundation. The Council consists of up to 25 members made up of co-founders, operating partner and other cooperative partners or experts in the field.  

One or more additional expert panels of specialists and other suitably qualified people will be formed to advise and guide the Board of Trustees regarding The Mary Foundation’s activities.

A secretariat staff consisting of Ms Birgitte Snabe, Director, and Ms Helle Østergaard, Project Manager, will handle the day-to-day management. The Mary Foundation has secured J.C. Hempel Foundation as operating partner. The operating partner will cover the running costs and provide premises for the office’s of the Mary Foundation. This ensures that all funds from the Foundation can be allocated to achieving its’ objective.

The members of the Board of Trustees are:

• HRH Crown Princess Mary
• Ms Juliane Meulengracht Bang, Director
• Ms Ulla Brockenhuus-Schack, Managing Director
• Mr Michael Halbye, Director
• Ms Caroline Heering, Private secretary, Lady-in-Waiting
• Mr Per Thornit, Chamberlain, Chief of the Court of HRH The Crown Prince of Denmark
• Mr Henrik Wedell-Wedellsborg, Lawyer

Projects
Currently the Mary Foundation is in an establishment phase and is yet to become engaged in specific projects.

The Mary Foundation’s activities will primarily be based on collaborative efforts and support of individual projects. Only the returns on the Foundation’s capital of DKK 73.6 million will be applied for any purpose. This will ensure the Foundation’s long-term impact.

Applications
The Mary Foundation does not accept applications for grants. Although the Foundation develops its own intiatives to fulfil its objective, it usually does so in cooperation with organisations or other partners.

Contact information
Mary Fonden
Amaliegade 8 B
DK-1256 Copenhagen K
Telephone (45) 45 27 30 20
E-mail info@maryfonden.dk
Web www.maryfonden.dk