The Stiftung Deutsche Eisenbahn (SDE) is a foundation with legal personality established under German civil law. It pursues not-for-profit purposes. The SDE is intended to collect private capital on a large scale and, as a sponsoring foundation, support the activities and projects of other non-profit bodies in maintaining the railway heritage. In addition, the SDE offers help with the establishment and administration of other foundations that are dedicated to the history of transport.