Gesellschaft für Sozialarbeit Bielefeld

What Gesellschaft für Sozialarbeit Bielefeld does

Gesellschaft für Sozialarbeit Bielefeld e.V. (GfS) is a Bielefeld-headquartered non-profit social-services association founded in 1983 and operating under the umbrella of Der Paritätischer Wohlfahrtsverband. It delivers an integrated portfolio of welfare services across six divisions: Kinder & Familie (8 kindergartens and family centers), Schule & Bildung (school social work, personal school accompaniment, and four OGS all-day school programs), Beratung & Betreuung (psychological, family, and migration counseling plus ambulatory care and the Familycare youth-welfare unit), Teilhabe & Assistenz (residential groups and ambulatory support for people with disabilities), Rechtliche Betreuung (legal guardianship), and internal Kaufmännische Dienste. GfS also holds a 50% stake in the Freizeit- und Bürgerzentren Bielefeld (FUBB) gGmbH joint venture with AWO and operates ancillary community centers and a citywide psychosocial online directory.

GfS runs no proprietary technology platform; its digital footprint consists of standard administrative IT for finance, HR, and care documentation (Vivendi NG, PEP), a website/blog at gfs-bielefeld.de, an online directory (psychosozialer-wegweiser-bielefeld.de), an outsourced online counseling platform via AYGOnet GmbH, and basic third-party integrations (Google Maps, SoZialJob24 for recruiting). The organization holds GDPR/DSGVO and BFSG/WCAG 2.2 accessibility certifications and an Institutionskennzeichen (IK 500571067) for billing German social insurance carriers.

The business model is contract-funded: revenue is generated through managed-services contracts with the Jugendamt, Integrationsamt, Jobcenter, statutory health insurers, and municipal schools under SGB VIII, IX, II, and XI frameworks, supplemented by donations from individuals, companies (e.g., Volksbank in Ostwestfalen, Deutsche Fernsehlotteriestiftung), and community partners (e.g., Arminia Bielefeld). Services are delivered free or at low cost to approximately 6,000 children, youth, and adults annually by roughly 1,000 employees across Bielefeld. GfS is governed by a membership assembly, supervisory board, and executive board (CEO Thomas Brandauer), with no equity shareholders, venture capital, or public listings.

Name

Gesellschaft für Sozialarbeit Bielefeld

Legal name

Gesellschaft für Sozialarbeit Bielefeld e.V.

Website

https://gfs-bielefeld.de

Company type

Private

Founded year

1983

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Gesellschaft für Sozialarbeit Bielefeld e.V. is a Bielefeld-based non-profit (founded 1983) delivering integrated social services, including childcare, school programs, counseling, disability support, and legal guardianship, to approximately 6,000 children, youth, and adults annually via ~1,000 staff, funded primarily by municipal and statutory-insurer contracts.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Social Services

NAICS

Social Assistance (624), Individual and Family Services (6241), Services for the Elderly and Persons with Disabilities (624120)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Health Services (8000), Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Community Mental Health Centers (CMHCs) & Public Behavioral Health Providers (HLAFACAI)

akta.pro secondary industries

Behavioral Health & MTSS/RTI Tiered SEL Supports (EDAKAMAE), Specialized Residential Special Education Programs (EDAKAAAH)

Keywords

• Social services
• Childcare services
• Family counseling
• Disability support
• Youth welfare

Headquarters

HQ city

Bielefeld

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices7 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Social Services Contracts: GfS generates revenue through contractual agreements with public institutions including youth welfare offices, integration assistance providers, job centers, and health insurance providers. Services are billed according to fixed rates negotiated with funding bodies under German social law (SGB VIII, SGB IX, SGB II, SGB XI).
2. Donations and Charitable Contributions: The organization accepts donations from individuals, companies, and foundations for specific projects and general operations. Donation channels include bank transfer, direct debit, and PayPal.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Gesellschaft für Sozialarbeit Bielefeld e.V. (GfS) is a non-profit social services association that delivers a comprehensive portfolio of social welfare services across Bielefeld, including kindergarten and family center care (8 facilities), school social work and all-day programs (OGS), psychological and family counseling, ambulatory and residential support for people with disabilities and mental illness, and legal guardianship services. Services are funded primarily through public contracts under the German social code and delivered free or at low cost to clients.

Product overview

Gesellschaft für Sozialarbeit Bielefeld e.V. (GfS) is a non-profit social services organization operating as a unified social welfare provider rather than a software product company. The organization offers a comprehensive portfolio of social services organized into six main divisions: Kinder & Familie (childcare and family services with 8 kindergartens/family centers), Schule & Bildung (school services including OGS programs and personal school accompaniment), Beratung & Betreuung (counseling and care services including psychological counseling and ambulatory assisted living), Teilhabe & Assistenz (participation services for people with disabilities including group homes), Rechtliche Betreuung (legal guardianship), and internal Kaufmännische Dienste (administrative services). The portfolio includes specialized offerings such as the Psychosozialer Wegweiser (online search platform for social services), Online-Beratungsplattform (digital consultation), and various residential and ambulatory care services. Founded in 1983 and operating under the Paritätischer Wohlfahrtsverband umbrella, GfS employs approximately 1,000 staff and serves around 6,000 children, youth, and adults annually across Bielefeld and the surrounding region.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Psychosozialer Wegweiser: Online-Suchplattform des Psychologischen Beratungsdienstes mit Informationen über soziale Einrichtungen und deren Angebote in Bielefeld.
• LebensRäume / Sozialpsychiatrische Hilfen
• Familycare

Products and services

• Kinder & Familie (Childcare and Family Centers) Operates 8 kindergartens and family centers across Bielefeld (Verbundkinderhaus Wilde 13, Verbundkinderhaus Kinderinsel, Kinderhaus Wunderland, Familienzentrum Kinderhaus Weltenbummler, Kinderhaus Sternsegler, Kinderhaus Rabenhof, Familienzentrum Kinderhaus Entdeckerwelt, Familienzentrum Kinderhaus Am Alten Dreisch), serving children from 1 year to school entry age and their families through childcare, early childhood education, and family support.
• Schule & Bildung (School and Education Services) Provides personal school accompaniment (Integrationshelfer), school social work, and open all-day school programs (OGS Dreekerheide, OGS Vilsendorf, OGS Westkampschule, OGS Realschule Jöllenbeck) for school-age children and adolescents, plus community work through neighborhood centers.
• Beratung & Betreuung (Counseling and Care) Provides psychological counseling (Psychologischer Beratungsdienst), health counseling, district counseling centers (Baumheide, Stieghorst), Psychosoziale Beratung nach § 16a SGB II, family counseling, ambulatory assisted living, day-structuring programs (Kontaktstelle, Tagesstätte, Kiosk am Siggi), and Familycare family assistance services.
• Teilhabe & Assistenz (Participation and Disability Services) Provides ambulatory supported living, individual services for people with disabilities, family support services (Familienunterstützender Dienst), and residential group living options including WG Bullerbach I+II and WG Bullerbach Plus in Sennestadt.
• Rechtliche Betreuung (Legal Guardianship) Provides legal guardianship services through the Betreuungsverein, support for volunteer guardians, and advance healthcare directives (Vorsorgevollmacht).
• Psychosozialer Wegweiser Online search platform operated by the Psychologischer Beratungsdienst, providing comprehensive information about social facilities and their services in Bielefeld and offering quick access to support resources for individuals seeking help.

Quantifiable outcome

• Reaches approximately 6,000 children, youth, and adults annually with social services

Named customers5 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration3 records

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Freizeit- und Bürgerzentren Bielefeld (FUBB) gGmbHcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2005GfS holds a 50% stake in the Freizeit- und Bürgerzentren Bielefeld (FUBB) gGmbH, co-founded with AWO (Arbeiterwohlfahrt). This joint venture operates leisure and community centers in Baumheide and Stieghorst, contributing to GfS's community development mission in these neighborhoods.
• Der Paritätische Wohlfahrtsverband NRWcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGfS operates under the umbrella of Der Paritätische Wohlfahrtsverband (Paritätischer) as its parent organization since its founding in 1983. The Paritätischer provides organizational support, advocacy, and represents GfS's interests at state and federal levels.
• Volksbank in Ostwestfalen eGminorOthersVolksbank in Ostwestfalen eG has provided multiple donations to GfS facilities including funding for defibrillators (herzsichere Region project), cultural activities and excursions for clients, and playground equipment (new slide for Kinderhaus Kinderinsel).
• Arminia BielefeldminorOthersArminia Bielefeld partnered with GfS through the Wunschsternaktion (wish star campaign) during Christmas 2024, providing fan merchandise and gifts to children and residents in GfS facilities. The partnership brings joy and community connection through sports.
• Various Bielefeld Schools and Educational InstitutionscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGfS maintains partnerships with schools across Bielefeld for OGS (all-day school programs), school social work, and personal school accompaniment services. Partners include OGS Dreekerheide, OGS Vilsendorf, OGS Westkampschule, Realschule Jöllenbeck, and various elementary schools.
• AWO Kreisverband Bielefeld e.V.coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGfS and AWO jointly founded the Freizeit- und Bürgerzentren Bielefeld (FUBB) gGmbH, operating leisure and community centers. AWO also collaborates with GfS on various social service initiatives in Bielefeld.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves13 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Broad incumbents

• Diakonie Westfalen: Regional Protestant welfare umbrella for Westphalia, including Bielefeld. Provides comparable social services under SGB frameworks and competes for the same regional public contracts.
• Der Paritätische Gesamtverband: National umbrella organization of which GfS is a member. Coordinates advocacy, training, and representation for affiliated non-profit social service providers across Germany, including welfare policy influence.
• SOS-Kinderdorf e.V. Large national non-profit operating residential and educational child welfare services across Germany. Comparable to GfS's Kinder & Familie and Familycare divisions, though at national scale.
• Malteser Hilfsdienst gGmbH: National Catholic aid organization providing social services, ambulatory care, and youth/family programs in NRW. Comparable service breadth in care and counseling with larger geographic footprint.
• Caritasverband für das Erzbistum Paderborn e.V. Regional Caritas association covering the Paderborn archdiocese which includes Bielefeld. Operates a wide portfolio of social services, hospitals, and care facilities across NRW comparable to GfS's full service range.
• AWO Bezirksverband Westliches Westfalen e.V. Regional AWO umbrella covering western Westphalia including Bielefeld. Provides a broader portfolio of social services across multiple municipalities with overlapping service lines (childcare, care, integration).

Direct peers

• Lebenshilfe Bielefeld e.V. Specialized provider of services for people with intellectual disabilities, comparable to GfS's Teilhabe & Assistenz division including WG Bullerbach residential groups and ambulatory assisted living.
• Caritasverband für die Stadt Bielefeld e.V. Catholic-affiliated social services provider operating in Bielefeld with comparable offerings in family counseling, disability support, and community work. Directly competes for public SGB contracts in the same city.
• AWO Kreisverband Bielefeld e.V. Regional Arbeiterwohlfahrt chapter operating social services in Bielefeld; GfS's joint venture partner in FUBB gGmbH. Directly comparable multi-service welfare provider serving the same city and overlapping Kitas, counseling, and community work.
• Diakonisches Werk Bielefeld: Protestant-affiliated welfare provider in Bielefeld offering counseling, family support, and disability services. Operates under the same SGB funding framework and serves overlapping client populations.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/gfsbielefeld
• Facebookfacebook.com/GfSBielefeld

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 records

Subsidiaries3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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

Frequently asked questions about Gesellschaft für Sozialarbeit Bielefeld