With the founding of the German Empire in 1871 the situation of Jews in Germany improved considerably. Whereas previously the degree of legal equality had varied across regions, now everyone was a German citizen irrespective of their religious affiliation. Many gave their enthusiastic support to the German Empire due to the economic prosperity and newly won freedoms it offered. The members of the Frank family were loyal citizens of the empire and expressed their support with targeted donations. In 1907 Michael Frank donated money for the construction of a rest home for military officers in Falkenstein in the Taunus mountains. As thanks he received a bust of the Kaiser.