Breakdown of Es ist die Aufgabe derer, die reich sind, großzügige Stiftungen zu gründen.
sein
to be
es
it
die Aufgabe
the task
reich
rich
zu
to (infinitive marker)
der
who, which, that (relative pronoun; die, das)
gründen
to found
derer
of those (pointing forward)
die Stiftung
the foundation
großzügig
generous
Questions & Answers about Es ist die Aufgabe derer, die reich sind, großzügige Stiftungen zu gründen.
Why is derer used here instead of deren?
Both derer and deren are genitive plural demonstrative pronouns meaning "of those" or "whose," but they point in different directions. You use derer when pointing forward to a clause that explains exactly who you mean (here, the relative clause die reich sind). If you were referring backward to a group of people already mentioned earlier in the text, you would use deren.
Why is the sentence interrupted by commas around die reich sind?
die reich sind is a relative clause describing derer (those). German strictly requires commas before and after a relative clause when it interrupts the main sentence. The rest of the main thought—the infinitive phrase großzügige Stiftungen zu gründen—picks up right after the second comma.
Why does großzügige end in -e here?
Stiftungen is plural and in the accusative case because it is the direct object of the verb gründen (to found). Since there is no article (like die or keine) in front of it, the adjective großzügig takes the strong ending for the accusative plural, which is -e.
Can Stiftungen also mean the physical foundations of a building?
No, a Stiftung specifically refers to a charitable foundation, trust, or endowment. The verb gründen (to establish/found) pairs perfectly with it. If you want to talk about the physical foundation of a house or building, you would use das Fundament.
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