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Knowledge Grounded in Practical Experience
This website is created and maintained by the Purpose Foundation. We are a non-profit organization based in Germany (registered as Purpose Stiftung gGmbH) working on research and education around steward ownership worldwide.
Coining the term steward ownership
Before there was a resource hub or a research library, there was a question: why does conventional ownership pull so many companies away from their original purpose?
Thats why we set out, we started looking for companies that were doing things differently. And we found them.
In 2015 together with the wider Purpose Group, we coined the term steward ownership. Giving this alternative approach to corporate ownership a name and making it possible to seek it, build toward it, and find others doing the same. This website is the open commons that grew from that work and its content is freely available, because access to ideas shouldn't come at a price.
Purpose Group
The Purpose Foundation is part of the Purpose Group which consists of legally and financially independent entities, united by one mission: making steward ownership known and accessible to everyone. What binds us is a shared why.
The independent entities work in complementary modes. Practitioner entities – Purpose Consulting, Purpose Ventures, Purpose Evergreen Capital, Purpose Veto-Share – work directly with companies, founders, and investors every day. The Purpose Foundation channels what they learn into open research, tools, and education. All entities are themselves structured as steward-owned organisations.
We are one node in a growing constellation
We are part of a global, growing ecosystem of organisations, forerunners, and changemakers who share a common goal. Many innovators have explored and researched how steward ownership can work in their region, context or area of work. They all shared their knowledge with us so we can bring it to you for free on this side. Together, we carry the concept forward.
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Every constellation needs its stars. We are truly thankful to the companies, investors, researchers, advisors and other practitioners whose work make steward ownership real and tangible and this commons possible.
Our theory of change
The path to steward ownership is hilly. Three main hurdles stand in the way: lack of awareness, difficulty of implementation, and lack of aligned capital. Everything we do targets these directly – inspiring and enabling entrepreneurs and investors, shifting narratives, and building the ecosystem that makes steward-ownership tangible and accessible for everyone.
Support our non-profit work
Our non-profit work is funded by donations and focuses on advocacy, research, and education – making steward ownership accessible for entrepreneurs, investors, policymakers, and other stakeholders around the world. Everything we produce is free.
Learn about steward ownership
Do you have questions or would you like to chat with us? Then we warmly invite you to join our twice-monthly open info calls. This is an interactive session where you can ask your questions, listen to others’, and engage in an open conversation to gain a deeper understanding of steward ownership and our work!