Berlin City Mission

What Berlin City Mission does

Berlin City Mission (Berliner Stadtmission) is a 148-year-old non-profit charitable association (Verein) headquartered in Berlin-Moabit, operating more than 90 facilities and projects across 12 Berlin districts with 1,001–5,000 employees. Founded in 1877 by imperial cabinet order, the organization delivers direct, free-of-charge social services to vulnerable populations including homeless individuals, refugees, families in poverty, elderly and care-dependent persons, uninsured patients, and people with disabilities. Core service lines span cold-weather emergency response (Kältebusse, celebrating 30 years in 2024), low-threshold emergency overnight shelter at Lehrter Strasse 68, Berlin's largest clothing bank (Kleiderkammer, serving 180 people daily), medical care for uninsured individuals, family support networks (Netzwerk für Familien mit Weit.Blick across four offices), senior care facilities, refugee integration programs, and faith-based community services.

The organization's portfolio is structured around a small corporate group: Verein für Berliner Stadtmission (the parent charitable association) and four wholly-owned subsidiaries — Komm & Sieh gGmbH (clothing, upcycling, retail, logistics kitchen, Inklusionsmanufaktur), BEGA Hotel Betriebs GmbH (hospitality under the martas brand), Hospize-Betriebs-Gesellschaft mbH (palliative care), and Berliner Stadtmission Service gGmbH (compliance/whistleblower services). Revenue is generated through five streams: donations and charitable contributions, government contracts and grants (Senatsverwaltung für Gesundheit, Bezirksämter, ESF/BMAS), commercial hospitality (martas Hotels & Gästehäuser across Berlin, Brandenburg, and Wittenberg), secondhand retail and upcycling sales (Kiezläden, Textilhafen, WaterToWine), and social enterprise operations (inclusion workshops, logistics kitchen, apartment clearance). All direct services to beneficiaries are provided free of charge.

Technology infrastructure is intentionally lean and mission-appropriate: standard CMS website, CleverReach newsletter, GRÜN spendino donation processing (SEPA/PayPal/Stripe/PAYONE), cookieless Matomo analytics, and DSGVO/DSG-EKD-compliant data handling. The organization is tax-exempt under §5 Abs.1 Nr. 9 KStG (most recent Freistellungsbescheid January 2022), a member of Initiative Transparente Zivilgesellschaft, and operates a CURACON-administered whistleblower hotline compliant with HinSchG. Customer-facing reach is substantial — 41,517 overnight stays during the 2025/2026 winter season, 3,300+ unique emergency shelter guests, 2,802 guided street conversations, and 18,455 meals served at City-Station in 2024 — with high-level governmental endorsement including multiple visits from Federal President Steinmeier.

Name

Berlin City Mission

Legal name

Verein für Berliner Stadtmission

Website

https://berliner-stadtmission.de

Company type

Private

Founded year

1877

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1,001–5,000 employees

Short description

Berlin City Mission (Berliner Stadtmission) is a 148-year-old Berlin-based non-profit operating 90+ facilities across 12 districts, delivering free social services — emergency shelter, clothing, medical care, family support, and refugee integration — to homeless, vulnerable, and low-income populations through donations, government grants, and social enterprises.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Social Welfare Services

NAICS

Community Food and Housing, and Emergency and Other Relief Services (6242), Emergency and Other Relief Services (624230), Community Housing Services (62422), Individual and Family Services (6241)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Nursing & Personal Care Facilities (8050), Services-Facilities Support Management Services (8744)

akta.pro primary industry

Emergency Shelter, Camp Management & Non-Food Items (NFI) (BPAGAAAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Homelessness Prevention, Shelter & Supportive Housing Services (BPAIANAC), Refugee, IDP & Migration Humanitarian Assistance (BPAGAAAH)

Keywords

• Social welfare services
• Homeless shelter services
• Refugee integration support
• Secondhand retail
• Charitable mission work

Headquarters

HQ city

Berlin

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices19 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Donations and Charitable Contributions: Individual donations, corporate donations, and legacy bequests form a significant portion of funding. The organization runs online donation platforms and receives both monetary and in-kind donations (clothing, goods).
2. Government Funding and Grants: Senatsverwaltung für Gesundheit, Bezirksämter, and other government bodies fund various programs including Kältehilfe (cold weather emergency response), integration projects, and family support networks.
3. Hotels and Guesthouses (martas): Commercial operations including martas Hotels & Gästehäuser generating revenue that funds social programs. Properties include martas Hotel Berlin Mitte, martas Hotel Lutherstadt Wittenberg, and guest houses in Berlin and Brandenburg.
4. Second Hand and Upcycling Sales: Kiezläden (neighborhood secondhand stores), Textilhafen, Lagerverkauf, and online sales of donated goods and upcycled items through WaterToWine label.
5. Social Enterprise Operations: Inklusionsmanufaktur (inclusion workshop), Kleiderkammer & Wäscherei, Logistikküche (catering), and apartment clearance services generate revenue while providing employment.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels7 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Berlin City Mission provides free social services to vulnerable populations in Berlin, including emergency overnight shelter (Notübernachtung), cold-weather street outreach via Kältebusse, clothing distribution through Kleiderkammer (serving 180 people daily), medical care for uninsured individuals, social counseling, refugee integration support, family services, and elderly care. These social programs are cross-subsidized by revenue-generating commercial operations including martas Hotels & Gästehäuser, Secondhand Kiezläden, WaterToWine upcycling label, Logistikküche catering, and Inklusionsmanufaktur inclusive manufacturing workshop, all operating under a Christian charitable mission framework across 90+ facilities in 12 Berlin districts.

Product overview

Berlin City Mission (Berliner Stadtmission) operates as a social services organization with 90+ facilities, offering a diverse portfolio of interconnected services rather than a unified software product. Core offerings include: (1) Housing & Homelessness Services - Kältebusse emergency buses, Notübernachtung emergency shelter at Lehrter Straße, Bahnhofsmission Zoo, Hygienecenter, City-Station restaurant, and Medizinische Ambulanz; (2) Komm & Sieh subsidiary - managing clothing distribution (Kleiderkammer), TEXTILHAFEN donation hub, WaterToWine upcycling label, Secondhand Kiezläden shops, and Logistikküche meal production; (3) Accommodation - martas Hotels & Gästehäuser social hotels; (4) Family Services - Kinder und Jugendliche programs, Netzwerk für Familien mit Weit.Blick with 4 offices, and Ferienpatenschaften vacation sponsorships; (5) Elderly Care - Seniorenzentrum Bestensee and senior assistance; (6) Inclusion - disability services including Besondere Wohnform Bestensee; (7) Refugee Services - migration and integration support with psychosocial programs; (8) Education - Bildungsangebote and theological study center; (9) Faith Communities - diverse congregations and 'FreiRaus' contemporary formats; (10) Volunteer Programs - FSJ, Ehrenamt, and European Solidarity Corps. The organization functions as a platform of services unified by Christian mission, shared values, and common infrastructure (donations, volunteer management, communications).

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Komm & Sieh: Subsidiary entity handling clothing donations, upcycling, second-hand Kiezläden (neighborhood shops), Textilhafen collection center, WaterToWine upcycling label, logistics kitchen, and apartment clearance services.
• martas Hotels & Gästehäuser
• WaterToWine
• TEXTILHAFEN
• Kältebusse
• Familien- und Gemeindezentrum Weit.Blick
• Inklusionsmanufaktur

Products and services

• Kältebusse (Cold Weather Buses) Mobile street outreach service providing winter emergency response for homeless people in Berlin. The buses transport individuals to shelters, distribute sleeping bags and supplies, and conduct welfare checks during freezing temperatures. Operating since 1994 (30-year anniversary celebrated November 2024).
• Notübernachtung Lehrter Straße Berlin's largest low-threshold emergency overnight accommodation, centrally located near Hauptbahnhof at Lehrter Straße 68. Offers free warm shelter during winter with beds and basic services. Average 250 guests per night during the 2025/2026 season with 41,517 total overnight stays.
• Kleiderkammer & Wäscherei Berlin's largest clothing bank serving up to 180 homeless people daily with clothing, sleeping bags, and hygiene products. Includes laundry services allowing guests to wash personal clothing and sleeping bags. Operates from Lehrter Straße location. Laundry service launched July 2024.
• Komm & Sieh gGmbH Operations Subsidiary entity combining inclusion, clothing distribution, logistics kitchen, and upcycling operations. Manages Kleiderkammer, Textilhafen textile recycling, WaterToWine upcycling label, Secondhand Kiezläden, Logistikküche meal production, and Inklusionsmanufaktur. Provides inclusive employment opportunities for people with disabilities.
• TEXTILHAFEN & Materialpool Textile hub and collection point for clothing donations, serving as Knotenpunkt (hub) for all textile donations with sorting, processing, and redistribution to those in need. Open Monday-Friday 9-16h at Storkower Straße 139D.
• WaterToWine Upcycling Label Upcycling label transforming donated textiles into new products. Operates online shop selling upcycled items, combining sustainability with social impact.
• Secondhand Kiezläden Neighborhood second-hand shops in Charlottenburg (Neue Christ Straße 5) and near Kurfürstendamm (Joachim-Friedrich-Straße 46), offering affordable shopping for price-conscious and sustainability-minded customers. Proceeds support social projects. Vintage furniture warehouse sale at Lüneburger Straße 350-352 (S-Bahnbögen).
• Logistikküche Logistics kitchen producing meals daily from donations. Prepares tasty and nutritious dishes for those in need, especially the poorest in the city.
• martas Hotels & Gästehäuser Hotels, hostels, and guesthouses offering accommodations for all target groups in Berlin, Brandenburg, and beyond. Includes martas Hotel Berlin Mitte (reopened May 2024), martas Hotel Lutherstadt Wittenberg with first regional coffee roastery (roasting 100kg+ weekly), and martas Gästehaus Hauptbahnhof. Revenue funds charitable causes. Brand operating since 2004.
• Medizinische Ambulanz (Medical Ambulance) Medical clinic providing healthcare services, including specialized care for uninsured patients. Includes Clearingstelle for health insurance enrollment and nursing care rooms. Funded by Senatsverwaltung für Gesundheit Berlin.
• Bahnhofsmission Zoo Station mission at Zoo railway station providing counseling, meals, and support for travelers and homeless individuals. Part of the Zentrum am Zoo complex. Five years of operation.
• Hygienecenter Hygiene center providing shower facilities, laundry services, and personal care for people without stable housing. Located near Zentrum am Zoo.
• City-Station Restaurant Restaurant and social venue serving homeless people with meals and social contact. Located in city center area. Served 18,455 people in 2024.
• Clearingstelle Clearing center helping uninsured people enroll in health insurance. Five years of operation with Senatsverwaltung für Gesundheit funding.
• Netzwerk für Familien mit Weit.Blick Family support network with multiple offices in Kreuzberg, Mitte, Lichtenberg (opened 2020), and Pankow (opened April 2025) providing social counseling, job coaching, health coaching, and family coaching for families at risk of poverty. Funded by Akti(F), European Social Fund, and BMAS.
• Ferienprogramme & Ferienpatenschaften Vacation programs and holiday sponsorships enabling children from low-income families to participate in holiday activities, including 'Urlaub ohne Koffer' and GECfamily formats.
• Flucht, Migration und Integration Services Support services for refugees and migrants including psychosocial prevention projects, counseling, and integration assistance to help people establish self-determined futures in Berlin. Includes WillkommensGemeinde (Welcome Congregation) serving multiple languages and cultures.
• Angebote und Pflege im Alter (Elderly Care) Elderly care services including senior centers (Seniorenzentrum Bestensee celebrating 25th anniversary June 2025), Seniorenhilfe assistance, counseling, and support for dignified aging with reliable homes.
• Eingliederung und Teilhabe (Inclusion Services) Inclusion and participation services for people with disabilities, including supported housing (Besondere Wohnform Bestensee) and assistance for self-determined living.
• Glaube und Gemeinde (Faith and Congregation) Faith and congregation services with diverse church communities across Berlin neighborhoods. Includes traditional services, contemporary formats like 'FreiRaus' events, and community gatherings. City mission congregation in Weißensee and other districts.
• Beratung in Ausnahmesituationen Counseling services for crisis situations including lack of health insurance, debt problems, or criminal justice involvement. Multiple contact points for various emergency situations.
• FSJ (Freiwilliges Soziales Jahr) Voluntary social year program offering young people meaningful experiences through engagement with diverse communities and people in need. Includes placement across various facilities.
• Ehrenamt (Volunteer Program) Volunteer engagement program with various fields including counseling, education, administration, craftwork, church life, arts, accompaniment, and visits. Includes online interest registration.
• Europäisches Solidaritätskorps (ESK) European Solidarity Corps program providing international volunteer opportunities at Berlin City Mission for young Europeans.

Quantifiable outcome

• 41,517 overnight stays provided in emergency shelters during 2025/2026 winter season
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers9 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles6 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration9 records

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered flagship and minor.

• Bundespräsident Frank-Walter SteinmeierflagshipOthers · 13 November 2024Federal President visited for 30th anniversary of cold weather buses, distributing food to homeless people and showing high-level governmental recognition of the organization's work.
• Bundespräsident Frank-Walter Steinmeier und Elke BüdenbenderflagshipOthers · 21 July 2023Federal President and spouse visited Zentrum am Zoo, showing high-level recognition of work with homeless populations.
• Bundespräsident Frank-Walter SteinmeierflagshipOthers · 13 December 2022Federal President visited hope locations at Lehrter Straße, experiencing various projects and demonstrating governmental support.
• BR VolleysminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBerlin volleyball team supports Bahnhofsmission am Zoo by distributing soup and food to homeless people, raising awareness through sports engagement.
• OracleminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerIT company hosted autumn reception to thank volunteers at Bahnhofsmission and provide digital perspectives for homeless people.
• Deutsche BankminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHosted summer festival for 170+ underprivileged people at Zentrum am Zoo with live music and donations.
• InterContinental BerlinminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSterne chef Eberhard Lange cooked for homeless people together with hotel kitchen team for Christmas.
• BVG (Berliner Verkehrsbetriebe)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvided space at U-Bahn stations for clothing collection campaign to support homeless during winter.
• Evangelische Hochschule TaborminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerTransferred joint study program 'B.A. Theologie, Sozialraum und Innovation' to sole responsibility of the university.
• S-Bahn Berlin GmbHminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAusbildende provided Social Day volunteer support at Bahnhofsmission am Zoo.
• Regierender Bürgermeister Kai WegnerminorOthersParticipated in Social Day at Bahnhofsmission Zoo demonstrating governmental engagement.

Scale indicators15 records

Recent moves10 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Berliner Tafel: Berlin-based food redistribution nonprofit collecting surplus food and distributing it to people in need. Directly comparable in serving low-income populations in Berlin, with overlapping operations such as food distribution (cf. Logistikküche).
• Bahnhofsmission Deutschland: National network of station-based social services at German railway stations, including the Bahnhofsmission am Zoo operated by Berlin City Mission. Directly comparable as a peer organization providing counseling, meals, and support to travelers and homeless individuals at transport hubs.
• Heilsarmee Deutschland: Salvation Army Germany operates homeless shelters, social services, and faith-based community programs. Directly comparable as a Christian mission organization providing emergency shelter, food, and social support, with similar faith-based identity and service model.
• Diakonie Berlin-Brandenburg: Protestant social welfare network operating shelters, counseling, refugee services, and family programs across Berlin-Brandenburg. Closely comparable as a sister Protestant organization with overlapping service categories and beneficiary populations.
• Obdach e.V. Berlin: Berlin-based homeless shelter and social services nonprofit providing overnight accommodations and support for homeless individuals. Directly comparable as a Berlin-focused organization addressing homelessness through emergency shelter and social support.
• Caritas Berlin: Catholic social services organization operating across Berlin with comparable homeless outreach, refugee integration, family support, and elderly care programs. Directly comparable in mission, service portfolio, and beneficiary population, differing primarily in confessional affiliation.

Broad incumbents

• Malteser Deutschland: Catholic humanitarian organization operating across Germany with social services, refugee aid, and emergency response. Comparable as a larger faith-based social services provider with overlapping refugee integration, elderly care, and humanitarian programs.
• Deutsches Rotes Kreuz (DRK): Germany's national Red Cross society operating broad humanitarian, social, and emergency services nationwide. Comparable as a larger established player with overlapping programs in homelessness, refugee aid, and family support, but with a much wider national footprint and broader mandate.
• SOS Kinderdörfer: International family services organization operating residential care, family strengthening, and youth programs in Germany. Comparable as a larger nonprofit serving vulnerable children and families, overlapping with Berlin City Mission's family support and youth programs.
• Johanniter-Unfall-Hilfe: Protestant humanitarian organization providing social services, elderly care, refugee programs, and emergency response across Germany. Comparable as a larger established Protestant-affiliated social services incumbent with overlapping programs and beneficiary segments.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xinstagram.com/berliner_stadtmission/?hl=de
• YouTubeyoutube.com/berlinerstadtmission
• Facebookfacebook.com/BerlinerStadtmission
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/komm-und-sieh-gemeinn%C3%BCtzige-gmbh-berliner-stadtmission

Compliance4 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Subsidiaries5 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Berlin City Mission