Diakonie Himmelsthür

What Diakonie Himmelsthür does

Diakonie Himmelsthür is a registered non-profit association (eingetragener Verein, e.V.) headquartered at Bördestraße 12, 31135 Hildesheim, Germany. Founded on November 3, 1884 by Bernhard Isermeyer as 'Frauenheim vor Hildesheim' and renamed to its current form in 2012, the organization provides social services for people with intellectual disabilities, autism, acquired brain injuries, addiction comorbidities, and high care needs across more than 30 service locations in Lower Saxony, employing 2,800–3,000+ staff and serving approximately 50,000 beneficiaries daily. The organization is a member of the Diakonisches Werk evangelischer Kirchen in Niedersachsen and the Bundesverband evangelische Behindertenhilfe, operating within the broader Diakonie (Protestant welfare) federation.

The service portfolio is organized around three pillars — Wohnen (Housing: supervised Wohngemeinschaften, ambulatory outpatient support, and specialized housing for adults with brain injuries or addiction), Beschäftigen (Employment: Tagesförderstätten day care, WfbM sheltered workshops, and the start2work inclusive employment transition program), and Begegnen (Community: Begegnungsstätten meeting places, PIKSL digital participation lab, Büro für Leichte Sprache translation office). Underpinning the delivery layer is an Unternehmensverbund of eight subsidiaries covering Wohn- und Arbeitsassistenz, Bildung und Förderung, Pflegeleistungen, Wohnungslosenhilfe, Speisenversorgung, Fahrdienste, textile Dienstleistungen, and Immobilienservice. The organization has been executing a decade-plus 'Konversion' transformation, decentralizing services from large institutional complexes into community-integrated housing and support settings.

The business model is funded primarily through statutory cost bearers — integration assistance (Eingliederungshilfe) under SGB IX, youth welfare services (SGB VIII), nursing care insurance, and other public payers — supplemented by donations (including testamentary bequests, occasion-based donations, travel/vacation and animal-assisted therapy programs) and court-ordered Geldauflagen redirected via the Oberlandesgericht Oldenburg. Pricing is set through individual needs assessment and participation planning rather than customer-facing tariffs; no commercial software product, API, or proprietary technology platform is offered. The organization operates under Heimaufsicht oversight by the Niedersächsisches Landesamt für Soziales, Jugend und Familie and holds confirmed Gemeinnützigkeit tax-exempt status (last confirmed by Finanzamt Hildesheim on November 14, 2024). Ownership is structured as an independent e.V. with no parent, PE, or public equity participation.

Name

Diakonie Himmelsthür

Legal name

Diakonie Himmelsthür e.V.

Website

https://diakonie-himmelsthuer.de

Company type

Private

Founded year

1884

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1,001–5,000 employees

Short description

Diakonie Himmelsthür is a German non-profit (e.V.) headquartered in Hildesheim, founded in 1884, providing housing, employment, and community-based social services for people with intellectual disabilities across 30+ locations in Lower Saxony, employing approximately 3,000 staff.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Disability Support Services

NAICS

Residential Intellectual and Developmental Disability Facilities (623210), Other Residential Care Facilities (62399), Services for the Elderly and Persons with Disabilities (62412), Residential Intellectual and Developmental Disability, Mental Health, and Substance Abuse Facilities (6232), Individual and Family Services (6241)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Nursing & Personal Care Facilities (8050), Services-Skilled Nursing Care Facilities (8051)

akta.pro primary industry

Disability Services & Independent Living Support (BPAGAEAG)

akta.pro secondary industries

Disability Services & Independent Living Support (BPAGACAG), Specialized Assisted Living for Developmental/Intellectual Disabilities (Adult) (HLADABAJ), Special Needs Adult Day Programs (Developmental/Physical Disabilities, Seniors) (HLADAIAI), Down Syndrome & Intellectual/Developmental Disabilities (IDD) Childcare (HSAAAIAC), Disability Services & Assistive Solutions (Accessibility, Assistive Tech) (BPAGALAM)

Keywords

• Disability support services
• Residential care services
• Sheltered employment programs
• Community integration services
• Social welfare services

Headquarters

HQ city

Hildesheim

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices41 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Social Services Funding: Services funded through integration assistance (Eingliederungshilfe) according to SGB IX, youth welfare services (SGB VIII), nursing care insurance, and other cost bearers. Revenue is derived from public funding contracts and individual service agreements.
2. Donations and Charitable Contributions: Receives donations for specific projects such as travel/vacation programs, animal-assisted therapy, leisure activities, and wish fulfillment for people with disabilities. Also receives testamentary bequests and occasion-based donations.
3. Court-Ordered Payments (Geldauflagen): Receives court-ordered fines and penalties redirected to support people with disabilities. Listed with the Oberlandesgericht Oldenburg as a charitable institution.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

Diakonie Himmelsthür provides comprehensive social services for people with intellectual disabilities, autism, mental health conditions, acquired brain injuries, high care needs, and addiction across Lower Saxony. Core offerings span three pillars: residential housing (group homes, outpatient independent living support, specialized housing), employment and day structure (sheltered workshops WfbM, day care Tagesförderstätten, and start2work inclusive employment), and community participation (encounter centers, digital participation lab PIKSL, Easy Language translation, travel and animal-assisted therapy programs). Services are delivered directly through 30+ locations to approximately 50,000 users daily, with revenue primarily from public statutory cost bearers and donations.

Product overview

Diakonie Himmelsthür operates as a social services organization with three core service pillars: Wohnen (Housing), Beschäftigen (Employment), and Begegnen (Community). The organization provides comprehensive support for people with disabilities across Lower Saxony through more than 30 locations. The housing services include supervised group homes, outpatient support for independent living, and specialized housing for adults with acquired brain injuries or addiction. Employment services encompass day care facilities, sheltered workshops (WfbM), and the 'start2work' inclusive employment program. Community services feature encounter centers, digital participation labs (PIKSL Labor), Easy Language translation services, travel programs, and animal-assisted therapy. Additional offerings include child and youth services, palliative care, and support for people with dual diagnoses. The organization serves approximately 50,000 people daily through its services.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Wohnangebote (Housing Services) Comprehensive residential support for people with intellectual disabilities, autism, mental health conditions, acquired brain injuries, and addiction. Includes supervised group homes (Wohngemeinschaften), independent living with outpatient support, and specialized housing for adults with complex needs. Funded primarily through integration assistance (Eingliederungshilfe/SGB IX) and other statutory cost bearers.
• Beschäftigungsangebote (Employment Services) Day structure programs, sheltered workshops (WfbM), and inclusive employment opportunities including the start2work transition-to-general-labor-market program. Activities cover laundry, kitchen, garden, farming, assembly, woodwork, metalwork, office, café, and media workshop settings. Designed for people with disabilities seeking meaningful daily occupation and skill development.
• Begegnungsstätten (Community Meeting Points) Open meeting places and city district offices (Stadtteilbüros) for people with and without support needs. Offer cafés, second-hand shops, digital participation assistance, leisure activities, and social events. Operated as part of Diakonie Himmelsthür's community participation pillar.
• Tagesförderstätten (Day Care Facilities) Day care services for people with disabilities providing structure, activities, skill development, social recognition, and community participation at various locations across Lower Saxony (e.g., Tagesförderung Bad Pyrmont, Tagesförderstätte Wietze, Tagesförderstätten Wildeshausen, Tagesförderstätte TEILHArBEIT Drakenburg).
• Werkstätten für behinderte Menschen (WfbM) Sheltered workshops offering diverse work areas including assembly, packaging, kitchen, laundry, garden, farming, woodwork, metalwork, and media, with potential transition pathways to the general labor market. Operated under German statutory WfbM framework.
• start2work (Inclusive Employment Program) Inclusive work program supporting entry into outsourced workplaces and learning new tasks, focusing on creative development and professional qualification. Includes operations such as Das Kaffeerad at Hannover Markthalle in partnership with Hannoversche Kaffeemanufaktur.
• PIKSL Labor (Digital Participation Lab) Digital participation lab offering citizens free, understandable help with smartphones, internet, or apps questions, available on-site (e.g., PIKSL-Labor Hildesheim) or by phone. Promotes digital inclusion for people with and without disabilities.

Quantifiable outcome

• Approximately 50,000 people use services daily
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and supporting.

• Diakonisches Werk evangelischer Kirchen in Niedersachsen e.V.coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMember organization of the Diaconic Works of Protestant Churches in Lower Saxony. Diakonie Himmelsthür is part of this umbrella organization for Protestant social services in the region.
• Bundesverband evangelische Behindertenhilfe e.V. (BeB)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFederal Association of Protestant Disability Support. Diakonie Himmelsthür is a member and actively participates in advocacy for disability rights at the federal level.
• Stiftung HimmelsthürmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFoundation associated with Diakonie Himmelsthür for sustainable support of projects for people with disabilities. Contact: Stiftung Himmelsthür - damit Leben gelingt, c/o Diakonie Himmelsthür, Bördestr. 12
• Queerbeet (Hildesheim)supportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerLGBTQ+ advocacy organization in Hildesheim. Diakonie Himmelsthür partnered with Queerbeet for an opening event to demonstrate commitment to diversity and inclusion, with plans for a second event in Hannover.
• Freundevereine und StiftungensupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerFriends associations and foundations that support and accompany the work of Diakonie Himmelsthür.
• Diakonie in Niedersachsen (DWiN)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUmbrella organization for Protestant social services in Lower Saxony. Diakonie Himmelsthür participates in joint campaigns like 'Nicht am Menschen sparen' to advocate for disability rights.
• Bundesverband Evangelische Behindertenhilfe (BeB)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFederal advocacy organization for Protestant disability services. Co-initiated the nationwide campaign 'Nicht am Menschen sparen!' to protest planned budget cuts affecting disability support services.
• Hannoversche KaffeemanufaktursupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerCoffee manufacturer partnering with Diakonie Himmelsthür's 'Das Kaffeerad' service in Hannover Markthalle, providing inclusive employment opportunities.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Emerging players

• Stiftung ICP München: Munich-based foundation providing specialized services for people with cerebral palsy and related disabilities, including housing, therapy, and education. Comparable as a specialized non-profit disability provider, though smaller in scale and focused on a narrower clinical segment.

Direct peers

• Bundesvereinigung Lebenshilfe: Germany's largest federal association for people with intellectual disabilities, operating as a network of regional Lebenshilfe chapters providing housing, employment, and family support services. Directly comparable to Diakonie Himmelsthür in target population (IDD), service portfolio, and non-profit status.
• Von Bodelschwinghsche Stiftungen Bethel: One of Germany's largest Protestant social services providers, headquartered in Bielefeld, offering residential, employment, and community services for people with disabilities, epilepsy, and mental health conditions. Comparable in scale, faith-based orientation, and integrated service model.
• Evangelische Stiftung Hephata: Mönchengladbach-based Protestant disability services provider offering housing, sheltered workshops, and community programs across multiple locations. Comparable as a regional Protestant peer with similar service pillars (Wohnen/Beschäftigen/Begegnen).
• Diakonische Stiftung Wittekindshof: Protestant social services provider in Westphalia offering residential, employment, and educational support for people with disabilities across all ages. Comparable in faith-based operating model, service breadth, and disability focus.
• Josefsheim Biggesee: Large residential and employment services provider for people with disabilities in North Rhine-Westphalia, offering Wohnangebote, Werkstätten, and Förderbereiche. Comparable in service model, Catholic welfare orientation, and target populations.

Broad incumbents

• Diakonie Deutschland: National umbrella organization of Protestant welfare services in Germany, of which Diakonie Himmelsthür is a regional member. Comparable as a broader ecosystem operator in social and disability services across all 16 federal states.
• AWO Bundesverband: National workers' welfare association operating social services including disability support, child/youth services, and elder care across Germany. Comparable as a large non-profit welfare incumbent with statutory-funded service delivery across multiple populations.
• Deutscher Caritasverband: Germany's largest Catholic welfare association, operating extensive disability services, hospitals, and care facilities nationwide. Comparable as a parallel faith-based welfare incumbent addressing similar client populations with similar service categories.

Regional players

• Lebenshilfe Niedersachsen: Lower Saxony state chapter of Lebenshilfe, providing housing, employment, and family services for people with intellectual disabilities in the same geography as Diakonie Himmelsthür. A direct regional competitor for the same statutory funding pool.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCgEdH_VNmBod-dUp2o7ZCUQ
• Facebookfacebook.com/diakonie.himmelsthuer
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/diakonie-himmelsthuer
• Instagraminstagram.com/diakonie.himmelsthuer

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 records

Subsidiaries1 record

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 Diakonie Himmelsthür