Duties and objectives
The Civic Community of Bern supports the extraordinary operations of the Zentrum Paul Klee in order to maintain its appeal at a high level after the first few years of its operations.

To this end it has founded the Paul Klee-Stiftung der Burgergemeinde Bern (Paul Klee Foundation of the Bern Civic Community – PKS BG) and endowed it with capital of 20 million Swiss francs.

On 13 December 2000 the voters of the Civic Community of Bern approved the guarantee loan with a clear majority of votes in favour (just under 90 per cent), thereby paving the way for the new Paul Klee-Stiftung der Burgergemeinde Bern.

The capital – a point of main emphasis in the diverse cultural commitment of the citizens of Bern – is to be maintained in real terms, i.e. adjusted for inflation. The benefits and risk, in particular the interest, have been running since 1 January 2003.

Creating an attractive and vibrant Centre
Already in the Agreement of 3 July 1997 concluded between the public sectors of the Canton, the City and the Civic Community of Bern, the latter had pledged a special cultural contribution of 20 million Swiss francs.

The change in the project situation (Maurice E. and Martha Müller Foundation as the client and sponsor) also resulted in a change in the appropriate of the guarantee loan of 20 million Swiss francs: The monies were no longer to go towards the building and running of the Zentrum Paul Klee but to be made available to secure the long-term appeal of the Zentrum Paul Klee.

Contributions to the running of the Zentrum Paul Klee are explicitly excluded in the foundation charter.

Accordingly proceeds from the guarantee loan can today be used to finance special projects such as acquisitions, publications and special exhibitions and also to award scholarships. To this end the Zentrum Paul Klee may submit the relevant applications to the Board of the Paul Klee-Stiftung der Burgergemeinde Bern