What Deutsche Sporthilfe does

Stiftung Deutsche Sporthilfe is a Frankfurt-based, non-profit foundation (Stiftung) founded in 1967 that provides comprehensive financial and developmental support to Germany's elite Olympic and Paralympic athletes. Its core product is the Sporthilfe Athletenförderung — direct monthly stipends delivered through a two-level structure (Potenzial-Team for developing athletes and Top-Team for proven elite competitors), supplemented by performance bonuses, mental health support (sport psychology), and equipment grants. Beyond active-career funding, the foundation operates a full post-career transition stack: the Sporthilfe Founder Academy (entrepreneurship program supporting up to 20 athletes annually since 2018), Nachaktiven-Förderung, and an Alumni Club.

Sporthilfe monetizes this mission via four revenue streams: (i) individual donations and recurring Förderer memberships starting at 5 EUR/month, (ii) Team-Pate annual sponsorships at 1,000 EUR/year across eight sport disciplines, (iii) National Förderer corporate partnerships with nine anchor brands (Mercedes-Benz, Deutsche Bank, Generali & DVAG, Deutsche Telekom, PwC, adidas, Deutsche Post, Tipico, Deutz), and (iv) ticket and donation revenue from flagship events including the Ball des Sports (Europe's largest sports charity gala, 55th edition in 2026; Night Session tickets 490 EUR plus 150 EUR donation) and the Club der Besten incentive week (~50 athletes). Significant federal co-funding flows via the Bundeshaushalt, including a planned 4.5M EUR increase in 2027.

The foundation's brand is anchored by a deep recognition portfolio: the Goldene Sportpyramide lifetime achievement award (25,000 EUR prize, since 2000; alumni include Steffi Graf, Franz Beckenbauer, Katarina Witt), the Sporthilfe Juniorsportler award (since 1978, Germany's most prestigious youth sports award), the Hall of Fame des deutschen Sports (128 members, co-managed with DOSB and Verband Deutscher Sportjournalisten), and quarterly Sporthilfe Magazin publication. Strategic alliances extend reach: the DFL Stiftung co-organizes the "DANKE" retirement tribute (partnership extended to 2030), Werte-Stiftung co-implements the Founder Academy, vivenu GmbH provides ticketing technology, and dpa Picture-Alliance handles media licensing. A ~320-member Kuratorium governs oversight, with Max Hartung as Vorstandsvorsitzender and Karin Orgeldinger as Vorständin für Athletenförderung.

Name

Deutsche Sporthilfe

Legal name

Stiftung Deutsche Sporthilfe

Website

https://sporthilfe.de

Company type

Private

Founded year

1970

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Deutsche Sporthilfe is a 1967-founded Frankfurt non-profit foundation providing direct financial stipends, mental health support, post-career transition programs, and recognition awards to Germany's elite Olympic and Paralympic athletes, funded via individual donations, corporate National Förderer partnerships, and federal budget allocations.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Sports Foundation / Athlete Support Services

NAICS

Voluntary Health Organizations (813212), Spectator Sports (71121)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600), Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Sports Fundraising & Development Services (Foundations, NIL Collectives Support) (MPAKAKAK)

akta.pro secondary industries

Amateur Sport Governing Bodies & Federations (National/Regional) (MPAKACAD), Athletics Fundraising, Sponsorships & NIL Support (EDALAIAN), Youth & Amateur Sports Tournaments (MPAGAMAF), Disability & Adaptive Sports Organizations (Paralympic, Special Olympics) (MPAKACAH)

Keywords

• Athlete development services
• Sports foundation programs
• Athletic career support
• Elite athlete funding
• Olympic athlete grants

Headquarters

HQ city

Frankfurt

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Operations, Others

Revenue model

1. Individual Donations and Recurring Förderer Memberships: Individuals donate via one-time or recurring monthly contributions (starting at 5 EUR per month as a Förderer). Team-Pate programs allow donors to sponsor specific sport teams at 1,000 EUR/year or 85 EUR/month. The Sporthilfe uses a donation account (IBAN DE58 5007 0010 0092 7772 10) for receiving funds.
2. Ball des Sports Event Revenue: Revenue is generated through ticket sales for the Ball des Sports, Europe's largest charity sports event. Night Session tickets are priced at 490 EUR per person, with an additional voluntary donation of 150 EUR per person (tax-deductible). Premium tombola prizes (Mercedes-Benz vehicles valued at over 100,000 EUR) further drive engagement and donations.
3. Team-Pate Corporate and Individual Sponsorship: Corporate and individual sponsors become Team-Paten (team patrons) for specific sport disciplines (e.g., Eishockey, Biathlon, Rudern, Leichtathletik, Schwimmen, Volleyball, Rollstuhlbasketball, Actionsport) at annual commitments starting at 1,000 EUR per year.
4. National Förderer (National Sponsor) Partnerships: Large corporate partners (Mercedes-Benz, Deutsche Bank, Generali & Deutsche Vermögensberatung, Deutsche Telekom, PwC, adidas, Deutsche Post, Tipico, Deutz) provide significant financial support as National Förderer, enabling the foundation's programs including the Ball des Sports, Club der Besten, Juniorsportler awards, and Founder Academy.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

Deutsche Sporthilfe is a nonprofit foundation that provides financial support, training and competition allowances, career planning, and personal development to elite German Olympic and Paralympic athletes. Funding is raised through private donations, corporate sponsorships (Team-Patenschaft tiers, National Förderer), and event-based activities, and is delivered alongside programs such as the Sporthilfe Founder Academy, Nachaktiven-Förderung, and award events such as the Ball des Sports and the Goldene Sportpyramide.

Product overview

Stiftung Deutsche Sporthilfe is a German sports foundation that provides comprehensive support for elite athletes through direct financial funding, post-career programs, and recognition awards. The foundation operates as a platform of interconnected programs rather than a single product, including: direct monthly athlete funding (Potenzial-Team and Top-Team), the Sporthilfe Founder Academy for entrepreneurial athletes, various award programs (Sporthilfe Juniorsportler, Goldene Sportpyramide, Sporthilfe Start-up des Jahres), flagship events (Ball des Sports, Sporthilfe Club der Besten, Sporthilfe Hautnah), the Sporthilfe Magazin publication, team sponsorship (Team-Patenschaft), and post-career support (Nachaktiven-Förderung). The foundation also manages Germany's Hall of Fame des deutschen Sports. Revenue comes from donations, corporate partnerships, and government funding (Bundeshaushalt 2027 allocation of 4.5 million euros increase).

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Sporthilfe Juniorsportler: Annual award for best German junior athletes, established 1978
• Goldene Sportpyramide
• Sporthilfe Club der Besten
• Sporthilfe Founder Academy
• Sporthilfe Hautnah
• Ball des Sports
• Hall of Fame des deutschen Sports

Products and services

• Sporthilfe Athletenförderung (direct athlete funding) Direct financial support program offering monthly stipends, training and competition allowances, and personal development for elite German athletes on the Olympic and Paralympic pathway.
• Goldene Sportpyramide Annual lifetime-achievement award recognizing contributions to German sport, presented at the Ball des Sports.
• Ball des Sports Ticketed annual flagship gala and charity evening combining the Night Session with awards and a Tombola, used to raise funds and visibility for athlete support.
• Club der Besten Annual event celebrating the most-supported German athletes of the past year, hosted with Premium-Partner Porsche and serving as a high-profile corporate hospitality and stakeholder engagement platform.
• Sporthilfe Founder Academy (GründungsAcademy) Entrepreneurship program supporting elite German athletes in post-career planning, including the discretionary PwC Preis der GründungsAcademy awarded to a top athlete entrepreneur.
• Sporthilfe Juniorsportler Annual award program recognizing outstanding young German athletes across four categories, combining jury decisions with public voting to drive visibility and supporter engagement.
• Sporthilfe Hautnah Event series offering supporters and donors close-format, sport-specific encounters with athletes they help fund.
• Hall of Fame des deutschen Sports Permanent hall of fame honoring the most accomplished German athletes, co-managed by Deutsche Sporthilfe and the German Olympic Sports Confederation.
• Nachaktiven-Förderung (post-career support) Post-career support program helping former elite athletes transition into education, employment, and entrepreneurship after active competition.
• Team-Patenschaft (corporate sponsorship tiers) Tiered corporate sponsorship package (Bronze, Silber, Gold) within the foundation's Teamsport CSR program, providing companies with brand association, hospitality, and ESG positioning tied to German elite sport.
• Sporthilfe Magazin In-house magazine published by the foundation to communicate with athletes, donors, sponsors, and the broader public.

Quantifiable outcome

• 2.6 million EUR in collective funding distributed to 30 retiring athletes over their careers
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

22 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• Generali & Deutsche Vermögensberatung (DVAG)coreGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2025Generali and Deutsche Vermögensberatung are National Förderer (National Sponsors) of Sporthilfe and exclusive sponsors of the Sporthilfe Founder Academy. They provide the 15,000 EUR Gründerprämie (founder grant), the 2,500 EUR audience prize, expert network access, and event venues (Deutsche Vermögensberatung headquarters in Frankfurt, Dr. Reinfried Pohl Zentrum in Marburg). Holger Zindt (Bereichsvorstand Marketing, DVAG) sits on the Founder Academy jury.
• Werte-StiftungcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2018Werte-Stiftung co-developed and co-implements the Sporthilfe Founder Academy (formerly Start-up Academy) with its FUTURY innovation program. Provides expertise in designing the program from initial idea development through to pitch-ready business creation. Jonas Stüdemann serves as Vorstandsvorsitzender (CEO) of Werte-Stiftung and sits on the Founder Academy jury. Since 2025, the partnership has been enhanced with Generali & Deutsche Vermögensberatung as additional sponsors.
• Mercedes-BenzcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerMercedes-Benz is a National Förderer (National Sponsor) of Sporthilfe and provides official transportation/fahrservice at Sporthilfe events. The Ball des Sports tombola features a Mercedes-Benz vehicle worth over 100,000 EUR as the grand prize. Mercedes-Benz also provides the official shuttle/fahrservice for the Goldene Sportpyramide award ceremony.
• Deutsche BankcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerDeutsche Bank is a National Förderer of Sporthilfe, presenting the exclusive Hautnah-Konzert (up-close concert) by ESC participant Isaak at the Club der Besten 2025. Also sponsors the Ball des Sports as a National Förderer and provides hospitality at foundation events.
• Deutsche TelekomcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerDeutsche Telekom is a National Förderer of Sporthilfe and partner of the Sporthilfe Juniorsportler award. Provides prizes for the public online voting (e.g., Telekom T Phone Pro, Telekom T Tablet) and sponsors workshops at Club der Besten events. Henning Stiegenroth (Leiter Sport und Sponsoring) represents Deutsche Telekom in the partnership.
• adidascoreGTM or Marketing Partner
• PwC DeutschlandmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerPwC Deutschland is a Top Partner of the Sporthilfe Club der Besten event and provides workshops (e.g., breath workshop) for athletes at the annual event. Also a National Förderer of Sporthilfe supporting the Ball des Sports.
• AldianamajorGTM or Marketing PartnerAldiana (holiday club chain) hosts the Sporthilfe Club der Besten event venue at Aldiana Club Ampflwang, Austria (2025). Serves as Top Partner of the event, providing accommodation and facilities for ~50 athletes and partners.
• Elite Sports Nutrition (ESN)majorGTM or Marketing PartnerESN is a Top Partner of the Sporthilfe Club der Besten and provides nutrition/sports supplementation expertise and programming (e.g., social media workshop) for athletes.
• Deutsche PostmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerDeutsche Post is a National Förderer of Sporthilfe, supporting the Ball des Sports and other foundation programs.
• TipicominorGTM or Marketing PartnerTipico is a National Förderer of Sporthilfe, listed among the Ball des Sports partner constellation.
• DeutzminorGTM or Marketing PartnerDeutz is a National Förderer of Sporthilfe, listed among the Ball des Sports partner constellation.
• APA Brands Events SolutionsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerOfficial equipment supplier for the Sporthilfe Club der Besten 2025, providing event branding and solutions support.
• HYROXminorGTM or Marketing PartnerOfficial equipment/outfit supplier for the Sporthilfe Club der Besten 2025. Annika Zeyen-Giles notably completed the HYROX in a wheelchair during the 2025 Club der Besten.
• STICKERSTARSminorGTM or Marketing PartnerOfficial sticker/event material supplier for the Sporthilfe Club der Besten 2025.
• DFL StiftungcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDFL Stiftung co-organizes the 'DANKE' (thank you) career tribute for retiring athletes, which is integrated into the Sporthilfe Juniorsportler award ceremony. The partnership, extended to 2030 in 2024, also includes joint financial support for elite youth athletes and personal development programs. The DFL Foundation and Sporthilfe share co-branding at these events.
• POWWOW Sports FestivalmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerPOWWOW Sports Festival hosted the 2025 Sporthilfe Juniorsportler award ceremony at the Düsseldorf Rheinterrassen venue. POWWOW serves as the physical event platform for the awards.
• FUNKE SportmajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorFUNKE Sport serves as media partner for the Sporthilfe Juniorsportler award ceremony and Ball des Sports coverage. Provides editorial media coverage and extends reach of Sporthilfe events through FUNKE's sports media channels.
• DOSB (Deutscher Olympischer Sportbund)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDOSB is a co-trustee and nomination body for the Hall of Fame des deutschen Sports (alongside Sporthilfe and the Verband Deutscher Sportjournalisten). All Hall of Fame members are proposed and selected through a joint process involving these three organizations.
• Verband Deutscher Sportjournalisten (VDSJ)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerVDSJ is a co-trustee and nomination body for the Hall of Fame des deutschen Sports, alongside Sporthilfe and DOSB.
• dpa Picture-Alliance GmbHmajorGTM or Marketing Partnerdpa Picture-Alliance GmbH is the official photo and media partner of Sporthilfe, providing image licensing services for all award ceremonies and events, including the Goldene Sportpyramide and Hall of Fame des deutschen Sports. All editorial photo material for press releases carries '© BDX MEDIA/Sporthilfe' or 'picture alliance für Sporthilfe' credit.
• vivenu GmbHmajorTechnology or Integrationvivenu GmbH provides the ticketing technology platform for Ball des Sports ticket sales. The vivenu platform handles ticket reservations, payment processing, and digital ticket delivery for the Sporthilfe's flagship charity event. Sporthilfe acts as the event organizer with vivenu as the ticketing service provider.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• UK Sport: UK Sport is the UK government's high-performance sport agency that directly funds elite Olympic and Paralympic athletes via the World Class Programme. Directly comparable to Sporthilfe's Potenzial-Team/Top-Team stipend model and mission of supporting athletes from development through to Olympic success.
• Own the Podium (Canada): Own the Podium is a Canadian non-profit that invests in elite summer and winter Olympic and Paralympic sports through athlete and program funding. Directly comparable funding-and-recognition mandate to Sporthilfe, although more program-focused and less event-driven.
• NOC*NSF (Netherlands): NOC*NSF is the Dutch Olympic Committee and Sports Federation, combining the national Olympic body with elite athlete support programs funded through a mix of government grants, lotteries, and sponsorships. Comparable in scope (multi-sport, full lifecycle) and funding model to Deutsche Sporthilfe.
• Australian Sports Commission / AIS: The Australian Sports Commission and Australian Institute of Sport deliver government-funded elite athlete development, scholarships, and high-performance services. Most comparable international peer in scale, longevity, and breadth of athlete support programs to Deutsche Sporthilfe.
• Swedish Sports Confederation (Riksidrottsförbundet): The Swedish Sports Confederation is the umbrella organization for Swedish sport, distributing government and lottery funding to elite athletes and federations. Comparable national-level, multi-sport elite athlete support mission to Deutsche Sporthilfe in a similar-sized European market.
• Sport Ireland / Irish Institute of Sport: Sport Ireland and the Irish Institute of Sport jointly fund and support elite Irish athletes through carding systems and high-performance programs. Similar size and national-scope mission as Sporthilfe, with comparable stipend-based athlete funding architecture.

Emerging players

• Laureus Sport for Good Foundation: Laureus Sport for Good Foundation uses sport to address social challenges globally, with a Sporting Ambassador network and global fundraising. Overlaps with Sporthilfe's athlete advocacy and charitable giving model but operates internationally with a different social-outcomes mission focus.

Broad incumbents

• DOSB (Deutscher Olympischer Sportbund): DOSB is the German Olympic Sports Confederation that organizes elite sport federations and coordinates Olympic preparation. Co-trustee with Sporthilfe of the Hall of Fame des deutschen Sports; broader remit across all German sport federations.
• Olympic Solidarity: Olympic Solidarity is the IOC program distributing Olympic Movement funds to National Olympic Committees and athletes worldwide. A broader incumbent in the same athlete-support ecosystem, with a more global and federation-led model versus Sporthilfe's foundation-led national approach.

Regional players

• Bundeswehr Sportförderung: The Bundeswehr's sports promotion program integrates elite German athletes into the armed forces as soldiers, providing stipends and training time. Functions as a parallel, German-domestic elite athlete funding mechanism that competes for the same athlete pool as Sporthilfe.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/sporthilfe
• Facebookfacebook.com/deutschesporthilfe

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 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 Deutsche Sporthilfe