What Stiftung KinderHerz does

Stiftung KinderHerz Deutschland gGmbH is a German charitable foundation headquartered in Essen, founded in 2004 to fund research and improve care for children with congenital heart defects. The foundation operates as a grant-making and awareness entity, financing more than 30 active projects across children's heart centers and universities in Germany and Austria, ranging from pioneering work on biological pacemakers and artificial heart chambers to pediatric emergency medicine training and family-oriented care programs. Beyond research funding, the foundation runs humanitarian emergency aid programs in Ukraine, Turkey, Syria, and Gambia, supplying medical equipment to hospitals treating children affected by war and natural disasters. Its beneficiary population aligns with the roughly 8,700 children born with congenital heart defects in Germany each year.

The foundation's revenue is generated entirely through charitable giving, with no commercial product or services revenue. Six primary streams comprise donations: individual contributions via online portals (suggested tiers from €10 to €712), corporate CSR partnerships including Restcent-Spende (employee round-up) programs, memorial and condolence donations channeled through funeral home referral networks, tree patronage under the KinderHerz-Wälder (Children's Heart Forests) initiative, dedicated emergency aid funds, and merchandise sales through a dedicated e-commerce shop. The technology stack is deliberately standard: a TYPO3-based website integrated with the FundraisingBox donation widget and PayPal processing, supporting both one-time and recurring donations plus peer-to-peer fundraising pages.

Distribution relies on community-driven event participation and partner channels rather than paid acquisition. The foundation cultivates a community of KinderHerz-Läufer (runners), KinderHerz-Radler (cyclists), golfers, and hikers through co-branded partnerships with the Deutscher Golf Verband (DGV), 7CRun (Europe's largest amateur sports series), Megamarsch/Hundred24, and major German marathons. Ambassador programs featuring ESA astronaut Matthias Maurer and the CIMON robot provide earned media reach. The foundation is governed by Sylvia Paul (Geschäftsführerin / Managing Director) and supported by an ecosystem of affiliated Zukunftsfonds (future funds) and a Stiftergemeinschaft, giving it institutional fundraising capacity beyond its 11–50-person core team.

Name

Stiftung KinderHerz

Legal name

Stiftung KinderHerz Deutschland gGmbH

Website

https://stiftung-kinderherz.de

Company type

Private

Founded year

2004

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Stiftung KinderHerz is a German charitable foundation that funds pediatric cardiology research and emergency medical aid for children with congenital heart defects. It operates 30+ research projects across Germany and Austria, financed by individual donations, corporate CSR programs, and event-based peer-to-peer fundraising.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Pediatric Cardiology Research Funding

NAICS

Voluntary Health Organizations (813212), Grantmaking Foundations (813211)

SIC

Services-Misc Health & Allied Services, Nec (8090)

akta.pro primary industry

Health & Medical Research Grantmaking Foundations (BPAGAKAL)

akta.pro secondary industries

Disease-Specific Research & Support (e.g., Cancer, Diabetes, ALS) (BPAGACAA), Community Health & Prevention Program Funding (HLAJALAF)

Keywords

• Pediatric cardiology research
• Charitable foundation services
• Congenital heart disease
• Medical research funding
• Pediatric emergency medicine

Headquarters

HQ city

Essen

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Individual Donations: The primary revenue stream consists of donations from private individuals. The foundation runs online donation campaigns, personal fundraising pages for events, and accepts one-time and recurring donations. Donors can direct gifts to specific projects or the general flexible fund.
2. Corporate Partnerships and CSR: Companies engage with the foundation through cause marketing, employee donation programs (Restcent-Spende), charitable product sales, and event sponsorships. Corporate partners include those participating in golf handicap challenges and marathon teams.
3. Memorial and Condolence Donations: Funeral homes and bereaved families partner with the foundation to recommend memorial donations (Gedenkspenden) in lieu of flowers, generating donations tied to funeral services.
4. Tree Patrons (KinderHerz-Wälder): Donors purchase tree sponsorships at forest locations in Germany. Tree patronage fees range from single-tree to large-group sponsorship levels.
5. Emergency Aid Funds: The foundation operates dedicated emergency aid funds (Nothilfefonds) for crises such as Ukraine and Turkey/Syria earthquakes, channeling targeted donations to medical relief efforts.
6. Merchandise Sales: The foundation operates an online shop (shop.stiftung-kinderherz.de) selling greeting cards, gift certificates for research time, and branded merchandise.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Stiftung KinderHerz is a German charitable foundation (gGmbH) that funds pediatric cardiology and pediatric emergency medicine research, supporting children with congenital and acquired heart defects. The foundation collects donations from individuals, corporate partners, and memorial contributors, then distributes grants to more than 30 active research and care projects at children's heart centers across Germany and Austria. It also delivers targeted emergency aid (e.g., Ukraine war relief, Turkey/Syria earthquake response) and runs family-oriented care, prevention, and resuscitation training programs.

Product overview

Stiftung KinderHerz is a charitable foundation supporting children with congenital and acquired heart conditions. The organization operates primarily as a fundraising and grant-making entity rather than a traditional software product company. Its core offerings center on donation collection and distribution to pediatric cardiology research. The product portfolio includes direct online donation capabilities via the FundraisingBox platform, individual fundraising campaign tools for events (running, cycling, hiking, golfing), emergency aid funds for crisis situations (Ukraine, earthquake relief), and specialized giving options such as tree planting (KinderHerz-Wälder) and research time gifts. Research funding supports over 30 active projects at clinics throughout Germany and Austria, ranging from artificial heart chamber development to emergency medicine training. The foundation also offers corporate engagement programs, memorial donations, legacy giving, and its own branded merchandise shop.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• KinderHerz-Nothilfefonds: Emergency relief fund for children in crisis situations, including Ukraine support and Turkey/Syria earthquake relief
• KinderHerz-Innovationspreis
• KinderHerz-Läufer
• KinderHerz-Radler
• KinderHerz-Wälder
• KinderHerz-Botschafter
• KinderHerz-Kuratoren
• Lio der KinderHerz-Löwe

Products and services

• Online-Spenden (Direct Online Donation) Core donation platform on the foundation's website enabling direct online monetary contributions from individuals and supporters to fund pediatric heart research and family programs.
• Spendenaktionen (Fundraising Campaigns) Peer-to-peer fundraising campaign tool that lets supporters create personal donation pages for events.
• KinderHerz-Wälder (Children's Heart Forests) Tree-sponsorship initiative in which donors fund symbolic forest plantings in heart shapes.
• KinderHerz-Nothilfefonds (Children's Heart Emergency Aid Fund) Dedicated emergency-aid donation vehicle for crisis situations such as Ukraine and Turkey/Syria earthquakes.
• Forschungszeit verschenken (Research Time Gift) Gift certificate program allowing donors to purchase units of pediatric heart research time as gifts.
• Gold- und Edelmetallspenden (Gold and Precious Metal Donations) Donation program accepting old jewelry, silverware, and precious metals for conversion into research funding.
• KinderHerz-Läufer (Children's Heart Runners) Branded running community where athletes fundraise under the foundation's banner at major events.
• KinderHerz-Radler (Children's Heart Cyclists) Cycling initiative where participants fundraise for pediatric heart research.
• Megamarsch Charityaktion (Megamarsch Charity Hike) Charity participation option for 50km/12h and 100km/24h Megamarsch hiking events.
• Golfer mit Herz - Handicap Challenge (Golfers with Heart) Golf handicap challenge where golfers improve their handicap in exchange for donations.
• Merchandise Shop (shop.stiftung-kinderherz.de) Foundation-operated e-commerce store selling greeting cards, gift certificates, and branded merchandise.

Quantifiable outcome

• Funded the Fontan Tunnel project — an artificial heart chamber made of living muscle cells — representing pioneering research in pediatric cardiac assist devices.
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration1 record

Partnerships

13 partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Stiftung KinderHerz Rupp-MeyerminorOthersA named sub-foundation affiliated with Stiftung KinderHerz, dedicated to supporting children with heart disease. Part of the foundation's ecosystem of dedicated funding vehicles.
• KinderHerz-Zukunftsfonds FleesenseeminorOthersA dedicated future fund affiliated with Stiftung KinderHerz, focused on long-term funding for pediatric cardiac research and care projects.
• KinderHerz-Zukunftsfonds GEFUminorOthersA dedicated future fund affiliated with Stiftung KinderHerz, established by GEFU to provide ongoing financial support for the foundation's mission.
• KinderHerz-Zukunftsfonds Schäfer ShopminorOthersA dedicated future fund affiliated with Stiftung KinderHerz, established by Schäfer Shop to support the foundation's ongoing research funding activities.
• Deutscher Golf Verband e.V. (DGV)coreGTM or Marketing PartnerThe German Golf Association is a joint initiative partner in the 'Golfer mit Herz Handicap Challenge.' The DGV promotes the charity golf challenge among its member clubs and players. The partnership includes co-branded communications and a shared Bag-Tag reward program. The DGV is a key channel partner bringing golfers to the foundation's fundraising events.
• 7CRun SportseriecoreGTM or Marketing Partner7CRun is Europe's largest sports series (12 disciplines, over 100 teams) and partners with Stiftung KinderHerz for charitable fundraising. The partnership enables the foundation to reach a large community of hobby athletes who participate in fundraising campaigns through the 7CRun platform. Over 1 million total kilometers have been logged by 7CRun participants.
• Sport 2000 / BrooksminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSport 2000 (a sports retail cooperative) and Brooks (running shoe brand) co-organized the Run Happy charity run in 2021, donating 50% of registration fees to Stiftung KinderHerz. A total of €21,500 was raised from 4,300 runners.
• Unique SportstimeminorGTM or Marketing PartnerA sports equipment retailer that supports the KinderHerz-Läufer community by offering branded running shirts for purchase. The partnership provides merchandise for the foundation's running community.
• Hundred24 GmbH (Megamarsch)coreGTM or Marketing PartnerHundred24 GmbH organizes the Megamarsch hiking events (50/12 and 100/24 km formats). Stiftung KinderHerz is the official charity partner of these events. Participants can upgrade their registration to a charity hike by creating a fundraising page, with a minimum fundraising target of €89. The foundation reaches hikers across Germany through this partnership.
• Kliniken in Kiew and Lwiw (Ukraine)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe foundation coordinates medical supply deliveries to hospitals in Kyiv and Lviv, Ukraine, as part of its emergency aid fund for children with heart disease affected by the war. The foundation works with logistics partners to deliver essential medical equipment and supplies to these facilities.
• Mustafa Kemal Klinik, Hatay (Turkey)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFollowing the 2023 Turkey-Syria earthquake, the foundation partnered with the Mustafa Kemal Klinik in Hatay, Turkey, providing medical equipment including ventilators, mattresses for pediatric wards, and monitoring devices for intensive care units.
• Matthias Maurer (ESA Astronaut)coreOthersESA astronaut Matthias Maurer serves as an official ambassador for Stiftung KinderHerz. He conducted experiments related to children's heart health during his space missions and engages with the foundation's mission, generating significant media coverage and public awareness for the organization.
• CIMON (Robot)minorOthersCIMON (Crew Interactive MObile companiON) — a robot developed by Airbus and IBM Watson — serves as a robotic ambassador for the foundation in space, supporting the Space4Hearts initiative that explores materials and surfaces beneficial for children's heart health.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Others

• FundraisingBox: Online donation platform used by Stiftung KinderHerz. Listed as an enabler/ecosystem peer given the foundation's integration with the platform for online donation processing and peer-to-peer fundraising.

Broad incumbents

• SOS Kinderdorf: One of Germany's largest child-focused nonprofit organizations. While focused on welfare rather than cardiac research, it competes for the same individual-donor mindshare in pediatric causes.
• Stiftung RTL – Wir helfen Kindern: Large media-backed German children's charity. Competes for mass-market donations via high-visibility campaigns that overlap with the foundation's sports-event-based donor acquisition.
• Ärzte ohne Grenzen / Médecins Sans Frontières: Germany's largest emergency-medical nonprofit. Competes for emergency-aid donations, particularly relevant given Stiftung KinderHerz's Ukraine/Turkey/Syria emergency response.
• Ronald McDonald House Charities Germany: Major German nonprofit supporting families of hospitalized children, including at pediatric cardiac centers. Competes for corporate CSR partnerships and individual donations tied to hospitalized children.

Direct peers

• Stiftung Kindergesundheit: German foundation dedicated to child health research and prevention. Comparable as a German nonprofit grantmaker for pediatric medical research, though with broader disease coverage.
• Kinderherzen – Fördergemeinschaft Deutsche Kinderherzzentren: Munich-based foundation funding pediatric cardiac research and surgery worldwide. The closest direct competitor in the pediatric cardiac grantmaking niche in Germany.
• Deutsche Herzstiftung: Germany's largest cardiovascular charity, funding heart disease research and patient education. Direct peer given the overlapping cardiovascular funding mission, although Deutsche Herzstiftung's scope spans all ages rather than pediatric-only.
• Bundesverband Herzkranke Kinder: German association of parents of children with congenital heart disease. Overlaps with Stiftung KinderHerz on CHD family support, advocacy, and connection to pediatric cardiac centers.

Regional players

• British Heart Foundation: UK's largest cardiovascular charity funding research and patient support. Regional peer sharing the cardiovascular-grantmaking model but operating in a different national donor market.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/StiftungKinderHerz
• Facebookfacebook.com/StiftungKinderHerz
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/stiftung-kinderherz
• Instagraminstagram.com/stiftungkinderherz
• Xx.com/SKinderHerz

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Subsidiaries4 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 Stiftung KinderHerz