Zeppelin Foundation

The Zeppelin Foundation is an institution founded by Ferdinand von Zeppelin.{{cite web |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2008/08/04/world/europe/04zeppelin.html |title=In Germany, a City’s Famed Industry Now Helps Keep It Afloat |author=Nicholas Kulish |date=August 4, 2008 |publisher=The New York Times |access-date=January 11, 2018}} Originally founded to support development of zeppelins and other airships, it now owns a number of large businesses in full or in part and uses its income for philanthropic efforts.

The Zeppelin Foundation, headquartered in Friedrichshafen, is a legally dependent municipality.{{cite web |url=https://www.friedrichshafen.de/unsere-stadt/zeppelin/zeppelin-stiftung/questions-answers/ |title=Questions and answers about the current debate on the Zeppelin Foundation |publisher=Stadt Friedrichshafen |website=friedrichshafen.de |language=en |access-date=January 11, 2018}} Since 1947, the city has managed the funds and ensures that they are used for their intended purpose. The foundation holds 93.8% of the shares of ZF Friedrichshafen{{cite web |url=https://www.zf.com/corporate/en_de/meta/faq_meta.html |title=FAQs |publisher=ZF Friedrichshafen AG |access-date=January 11, 2018}} and is the owner of Luftschiffbau Zeppelin and Zeppelin GmbH. The foundation finances various charitable purposes, including Zeppelin University and the Zeppelin Museum.