FAQ

What is the Checkpoint Charlie Foundation?
The Checkpoint Charlie Foundation is a non-profit foundation established in 1994 by the Berlin House of Representatives. It is a legal public foundation incorporated under the laws of the State of Berlin. It pursues exclusively non-profit, non-partisan goals. Donations to the foundation are tax deductable under German law.
What purpose does the Checkpoint Charlie Foundation serve?
The purpose of the Foundation is to foster German-American relations, with special consideration for the role of the USA in Berlin from 1945-1994. Since 1994, the Foundation has planned and realized over 600 German-American projects, which were supported with approximately 1.8 Million Euros. Furthermore, the Foundation coordinates the largest teacher exchange program in the country between the USA and Germany (STEP), and oversees all of the non-state run programs in Berlin with its partner city Los Angeles.

What kind of projects does the foundation support?
Projects are supported which are fulfill the purposes of the foundation’s charter. This includes but is not limited to personal encounters between Berliners and Americans.

Who does it support?
German and American applicants who plan bilateral projects between groups.

How does the foundation pay for its activities?
When it was created, the foundation received an endowment from the Berlin government. Its operations are mainly funded by earnings on this endowment, as well as occassional contributions from donors and sponsors.

I would like to make a donation to the foundation.
Wonderful! You can find out more about how to donate on our donations page. Donations fund our ongoing programs. You can also contribute to the foundation’s endowment.

What is the relationship of the foundation to Checkpoint Charlie and the Checkpoint Charlie Museum?
The foundation is neither located at Checkpoint Charlie (its offices are in Steglitz), nor is it affiliated with the private museum at Checkpoint Charlie, which is operated by a group called Arbeitsgemeinschaft 13 August e. V.  When the Checkpoint Charlie Foundation was created, the Berlin House of Representatives wanted to give it a name that would be well-recognized in the US and that would symbolize the important role of the US in Berlin from 1945-1994. Thus the name “Checkpoint Charlie Foundation” was chosen; at the time it was not forseen that the foundation could be confused with the museum.

How can I organize a vacation job or internship in the USA?
We suggest you contact the CollegeCouncil:
CollegeCouncil gGmbH
Torstr. 178, 10115 Berlin
Tel.: 030 / 24 08 69 70, Fax: 030 / 25 76 27 33
Homepage: www.college-council.de

I would like to be an Au pair in the US. How can I do this?
You can contact Network International:
Network International
Heidenfeldstr. 2, 10249 Berlin
Tel.: 030 / 42 01 43 98, Fax: 030 / 42 01 44 19

I would like to participate in a school exchange program organized by the foundation.
Although the foundation may provide funding to school exchange projects, it does not organize any of its own. Your school is welcome to apply for funding from the foundation for a project.

I would like to participate in an exchange program to Germany.
There are a very wide variety of programs available to Americans interested in coming to Germany for shorter or longer stays. Some of these include: