30 Years of the Dornier Foundation

In 1995, Silvius Dornier, an engineer and entrepreneur from Friedrichshafen, approached the then headmaster of Schloss Salem, Dr Bernhard Bueb, with a question: How can education be made more inclusive and enable young people to develop their talents regardless of their families’ financial circumstances? 

Instead of presenting him with a concept, Bueb introduced him to a young student who had come to Salem with great personal motivation and was receiving financial support: Mavi Schellenberg, now Chair of the Board of the Esther and Silvius Dornier Foundation. She still vividly remembers that conversation, which lasted several hours – and it provided the impetus for the foundation’s establishment in 1996.

Three decades later, the foundation has supported more than 400 students at selected boarding schools, including the Schule Schloss Salem. The focus is on young people who not only excel academically but also demonstrate talents in social, political, scientific, musical, artistic or sporting fields. 

On 11 July 2026, the Foundation returned to its place of origin to mark its anniversary. In Salem, guests and long-standing supporters celebrated 30 years of support, encounters and exchange. The programme combined music and insights into the Foundation’s work with discussions on education, travel, media use and the importance of sleep for learning.
Schule Schloss Salem looks forward to continuing this collaboration and, together, to opening up special educational pathways for young people in the future.

Photos: Felix Schellenberg