What is increasingly impressive about Jakob Fugger today is something that has nothing to do with the pursuit of money, profit and power:
his work as a benefactor. Jakob’s foundations have been in existence for almost 500 years, and, if his wishes are to be respected, they are to remain in existence until the end of time.
Jakob Fugger laid the foundations for the now five-hundred-year history of the Fugger Foundations. With the foundation charter dated 23 August 1521, which was also issued on behalf of his brothers, he legally secured the three core foundations both within the family and externally. All subsequent generations of the Fuggers have been bound by this, and future generations will be too.
Jakob was driven by three motives: as a citizen, he contributed – through the Fuggerei – to the welfare of his hometown and his fellow citizens; as a devout Christian, he championed – through the new preaching post at St. Moritz – better sermons in his parish; and, out of a sense of family responsibility, he sought to ensure the salvation of all deceased Fuggers through a prestigious burial place – the chapel at St Anna. For Jakob, this was about far more than mere personal interests.
Jakob’s commitment continues to have an impact on the city today and helps shape the social and cultural character of Augsburg: in future, too, the Fuggerei will continue to relieve the burden on the local authority, whilst the Fugger Chapel and the preaching post at St Moritz will underline the city’s cultural and ecclesiastical standing.
Jakob’s foundations were secured by the efforts of subsequent generations, particularly those of his nephew Anton, and adapted to the political and economic circumstances of the time. The legal framework established in 1521 allows for this through flexibility clauses – yet another far-sighted measure taken by Jakob to ensure the success and, consequently, the long-term sustainability of his charitable works.
