What Aidshilfe Köln does

Aidshilfe Köln e.V. is a registered nonprofit association (eingetragener Verein) headquartered in Cologne, Germany, founded in 1985 as part of the early German AIDS self-help movement. It delivers a comprehensive portfolio of HIV/AIDS prevention, testing, counseling, and support services from two primary Cologne locations (Pipinstraße 7 and Augustinerstraße 5, both near KVB Heumarkt), supplemented by mobile outreach to schools, vocational schools, and youth facilities. Core programmatic offerings include the Checkpoint anonymous HIV/STI testing center (HIV, Syphilis, Chlamydia, Hepatitis C, Gonorrhea), open consultation hours in German/English/French, assisted living (Ambulant betreutes Wohnen), the Frauen- und Familienzentrum (women's and family center), multiple self-help groups (Frauentreff, Gruppe 30+, Jung schwul positiv, Positiver Raum, SHALK), drug-use and Chemsex counseling, sexual education (Youthwork), and the new HIV & Pregnancy consultation launched April 2026. Social-economy units — Café Bach, Bach DELIKAT pop-up restaurant, and ZweiRadwerkstatt 180° bicycle workshop — generate supplementary income and provide vocational integration. Fundraising is anchored by the Run of Colours charity run (since 2009; 1,855 participants and €30,000+ raised in 2025) and DIE GALA benefit gala on World AIDS Day.

The organization's revenue model is a multi-stream nonprofit mix: donations and fundraising campaigns (€300,000+ annual target for projects), public grants from NRW state and municipal sources (facing a proposed 35% reduction in the 2025 HIV/AIDS budget), corporate/pharmaceutical sponsorships (ViiV Healthcare, Gilead, AbbVie, Deutsche AIDS-Stiftung, UPS Foundation), and earned income from social enterprises. All core services are provided free of charge, with social-economy offerings priced at market or reduced rates. The beneficiary population is intentionally diversified across people living with HIV/AIDS, LGBTQ+ community members, young people in educational settings, people who use drugs, and women/families affected by HIV — all segments for which the organization provides low-threshold, anonymous, and confidential access. Governance is via an elected board of directors (Dr. Lennert Böhm, Kelly Cavalcanti, Marcel Dams, Matthias Eiting, Jacob Hösl, Prof. Dr. Jürgen Rockstroh) under Managing Director Oliver Schubert, with the closely affiliated Lebenshaus-Stiftung (led by Erik Sauer) co-organizing flagship fundraising events.

Strategically, Aidshilfe Köln is in a mixed posture: it is actively expanding its service portfolio (new HIV & Pregnancy and HCV testing programs) and physical capacity (relocation campaign targeting €410,000), while simultaneously facing material public-funding risk from NRW state budget cuts. The 40-year institutional history, deep community ties, recognized expertise (state Verdienstorden 2026), and diversified pharmaceutical partner base are the primary strengths offsetting the public-funding exposure.

Name

Aidshilfe Köln

Legal name

Aidshilfe Köln e.V.

Website

https://aidshilfe-koeln.de

Company type

Private

Founded year

1985

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Aidshilfe Köln e.V., founded in 1985, is a Cologne-based nonprofit providing free HIV/STI testing, counseling, youth education, supported housing, and harm reduction services to people living with HIV, LGBTQ+ individuals, youth, and drug-using communities.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

HIV/AIDS Community Health Services

NAICS

Other Individual and Family Services (624190), Individual and Family Services (6241), Human Rights Organizations (813311), Child and Youth Services (62411)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

HIV/AIDS Medicine (HLAKAGAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Sexual Health & STI/HIV Prevention Health Departments (HLAJAAAL), LGBTQ+ Rights & Advocacy Organizations (BPAGAFAE), Human Rights & Anti-Discrimination Organizations (BPAGAFAB)

Keywords

• HIV prevention services
• HIV STI testing
• AIDS counseling
• Sexual health education
• Community support services

Headquarters

HQ city

Köln

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Donations and Fundraising: The organization relies heavily on donations from individuals, businesses, and foundations to fund operations and projects. This includes direct donations, membership fees, and fundraising campaigns such as the Run of Colours charity event and DIE GALA benefit gala.
2. Government Funding: Public funding from federal, state, and local government sources, including Landesmittel NRW for youthwork and other municipal support. This funding has faced potential cuts (35% reduction proposed for 2025 HIV/AIDS budget).
3. Pharmaceutical Sponsorships: Funding and support from pharmaceutical companies including ViiV Healthcare, Gilead, AbbVie for specific projects such as hepatitis C testing, HIV & pregnancy counseling, and other health initiatives.
4. Social Economy Services: Revenue from social service offerings including Café Bach café operations, Bach DELIKAT pop-up restaurant, and Zweiradwerkstatt 180° bicycle workshop - these social enterprises support the organization's mission while generating supplementary income.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Aidshilfe Köln e.V. provides HIV/AIDS prevention, counseling, and rapid HIV/STI testing through its Checkpoint clinic, alongside psychosocial support groups, supported housing (Wohnprojekte), women and family counseling at Frauen- und Familienzentrum, youth education in schools, and community-building events. It is a registered nonprofit association serving people living with or affected by HIV/AIDS in Cologne.

Product overview

Aidshilfe Köln e.V. is a non-profit community organization offering a comprehensive portfolio of HIV/AIDS prevention and support services. The core offerings include anonymous HIV/STI testing at the Checkpoint, counseling and information services, youth education programs in schools, and assisted living support. The organization operates specialized centers including a Women's and Family Center and provides various support groups (Frauentreff, Gruppe 30+, Jung schwul positiv, Positiver Raum, SHALK). Additional social services include Café Bach (a community café), a bicycle workshop for vocational training, and memorial services at Grabstätte Melaten. Major fundraising events include the annual Run of Colours charity run (since 2009) and DIE GALA benefit gala on World AIDS Day. New services launched in 2026 include a specialized HIV & Pregnancy consultation clinic.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Checkpoint: HIV/STI testing and counseling service operated by Aidshilfe Köln at Pipinstraße 7, Cologne
• Café Bach
• Frauen- und Familienzentrum (FFZ)
• Run of Colours
• DIE GALA

Products and services

• Checkpoint HIV/STI Testing Confidential HIV and STI testing and counseling clinic for individuals in Cologne, operated by Aidshilfe Köln.
• Frauen- und Familienzentrum (Women and Family Center) Psychosocial counseling and support services for women and families affected by HIV/AIDS in Cologne.
• Wohnprojekte (Supported Housing) Supported housing services providing stable accommodation and living support for people living with HIV/AIDS.
• Café Bach Community café and catering venue serving as a social enterprise and community meeting space in Cologne.
• Run of Colours Annual charity run event generating awareness and fundraising revenue for HIV/AIDS programs.
• DIE GALA Charity Dinner Annual charity dinner and fundraising event for Aidshilfe Köln's HIV/AIDS programs.
• Youth HIV Prevention Education School-based sexual health and HIV prevention education programs for youth in Cologne.
• Support Groups and Counseling Peer-led and facilitated psychosocial support groups and counseling for HIV-affected individuals and their loved ones.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 30,000 EUR raised through single charity event (Run of Colours 2025)
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core and supporting.

• Lebenshaus-StiftungcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerClosely affiliated foundation supporting Aidshilfe Köln through joint events including Run of Colours charity run and DIE GALA benefit gala. Shared leadership includes Erik Sauer as Managing Director of Lebenshaus-Stiftung. Joint data controller for Run of Colours event management. Lebenshaus-Stiftung organizes events on behalf of Aidshilfe Köln.
• TH Nürnberg (Technische Hochschule Nürnberg)supportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with TH Nürnberg and SOLID project for the 'High & Happy?' information and discussion event on Chemsex. Academic collaboration bringing research perspective to community education on substance use and sexuality.
• Vision e.V.coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in the Cologne addiction help system (Suchthilfe). Together with Aidshilfe Köln and Notel/Kosmidion, developed joint position paper on open drug scene policy. Collaboration on hepatitis C testing initiatives and harm reduction services.
• Notel & KosmidioncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in Cologne addiction help system. Together with Aidshilfe Köln and Vision e.V., developed joint position paper 'Statt Verdrängung: Menschenwürde' on open drug scene policy, advocating for human dignity in drug policy reform.
• DIVHA-Köln & Kämpgen StiftungsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerFoundation supporting swimming sessions for people with chronic illnesses including HIV. Weekly swimming events at Höhenbergbad with 1 EUR participant contribution, promoting physical activity and community for people with chronic conditions.
• Hard Rock Cafe KölnsupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerVenue partner for Pride Drag Brunch events benefiting Aidshilfe Köln. Hosts annual drag brunch during ColognePride with portion of ticket sales donated to the organization.
• ColognePride e.V.coreGTM or Marketing PartnerAnnual collaboration for Pride events including 'Lichter gegen das Vergessen' (Lights Against Forgetting) memorial ceremony, CSD parade participation, and community outreach during Pride weekend.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Münchner Aidshilfe: Munich AIDS service organization offering HIV/STI testing, counseling, and community programs in a major German metropolitan area. Comparable regional scale, target populations, and service portfolio structure to Aidshilfe Köln.
• Checkpoint BL e.V. Berlin LGBTQ+ checkpoint offering anonymous HIV/STI testing, PrEP counseling, and sexual health consultations. Closely comparable to Aidshilfe Köln's Checkpoint Köln in service mix, hours model, and target audience.
• Deutsche Aidshilfe: National umbrella federation of German AIDS service organizations, providing policy advocacy, federal-level coordination, and shared resources for member Aidshilfen. Operates the same brand family and service philosophy as Aidshilfe Köln, addressing prevention, counseling, and community support nationwide.
• Sub — Schwules Kommunikations- und Kulturzentrum München: Munich LGBTQ+ community center combining community space, counseling, testing referrals, and cultural programming. Comparable integrated community-space-plus-services model to Aidshilfe Köln's Café Bach and Checkpoint operations.
• Schwulenberatung Berlin: Berlin LGBTQ+ community organization delivering counseling, support groups, mental health, and migration services. Comparable community-driven, non-clinical social support model serving overlapping LGBTQ+ and HIV-affected populations.
• Hein & Fiete Hamburg: Hamburg-based HIV/STI checkpoint and LGBTQ+ community health organization offering anonymous testing, sexual health counseling, and community programs. Operates under a similar low-threshold, community-led model to Aidshilfe Köln's Checkpoint.
• Aidshilfe NRW: State-level association coordinating AIDS service organizations in North Rhine-Westphalia, of which Aidshilfe Köln is a member. Convenes NRW peers, delivers the Ehrenamtspreis, and channels state-level funding and policy engagement directly relevant to Aidshilfe Köln's regional operating geography.
• Berliner Aidshilfe: Berlin-based AIDS service organization delivering the same core bundle of anonymous testing, counseling, support groups, and case management to people with HIV and LGBTQ+ communities. Closest functional analogue at comparable regional scale.
• Frankfurter Aidshilfe: Frankfurt-based AIDS service organization providing HIV/STI testing, counseling, and support services in another major German metro. Same regional ASO business model, donor base structure, and target communities as Aidshilfe Köln.

Broad incumbents

• Deutsche AIDS-Stiftung: National German AIDS foundation providing grantmaking and project funding to HIV/AIDS service organizations, including co-funding Aidshilfe Köln's HIV & Pregnancy consultation. Functions as a funder partner rather than a direct service competitor, but operates at a broader national scale with overlapping mission.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/aidshilfe_koeln
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCxXuQlILbU3BK8e7k6nKcXA
• Facebookfacebook.com/aidshilfe.koeln
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/aidshilfe-k%C3%B6ln
• Instagraminstagram.com/aidshilfe_koeln

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 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 Aidshilfe Köln