Sparebankstiftelsen DNB is a Norwegianfoundation. The foundation gives financial contributions to a wide range of charitable causes, and is the second largest shareholder of the financial servicescompanyDNB. The foundation's capital is a result of accumulated profits from the former savings banks which are now part of DNB.
In addition to giving direct financial contributions, the Savings Bank Foundation invests in causes that benefit the general public. In 2005, they founded the instrument fund, Dextra Musica, with the aim to promote classical music. The fund owns a valuable collection of string instruments which have been placed at the disposal of Norwegian musicians.[1]
The foundation has made funds available to Norwegian museums to assist in art acquisitions. Since 1999, the foundation has spent €400 million on acquiring art.[2] In 2019, the foundation purchased Ernst Kirchner's 1915 painting Das Soldatenbad (English: The Artillerymen) for US$22 million for the collection of the National Gallery of Oslo collection.[3][4] The foundation also funds various fine art initiatives, including museum exhibitions.[5]
In 2016, the foundation opened Sentralen, a house for the performing arts and a gathering place for social and cultural innovation in the centre of Oslo. The building originally served as the headquarters for Christiania Sparebank, which the Savings Bank Foundation DNB sprung out of. Sentralen contains several stages and production spaces as well as a restaurant and café.[6]