History
With the founding of the Carl Zeiss Foundation, Ernst Abbe pursued two overarching goals, which still determine the funding purpose in § 1 of the Foundation Statute to this day. On the one hand, he was concerned with the long-term securing of the foundation companies and the well-being of his employees, which in his opinion could only be guaranteed by depersonalization of the owners. On the other hand, he was particularly interested in promoting science with the proceeds from the companies.
1846 - 1891
Establishment of the foundation companies and founding of the foundation
1896 - 1930
Development of the foundation statute and commencement of the extensive funding activities
1933 - 1971
War and postwar times (phase of upheavel)
1990 until today
Time after reunification, reorganisation of the foundation, development of a programmatic funding activity