benevol St.Gallen

What benevol St.Gallen does

benevol St.Gallen is a private Swiss foundation (Stiftung benevol St.Gallen) established in 2001, operating as the primary Fachstelle (specialist office) for voluntary engagement in the cantons of St.Gallen, Appenzell Ausserrhoden, and Appenzell Innerrhoden. The organization serves as the first point of contact for nonprofit associations, voluntary organizations, and individuals seeking to volunteer, with a network of 300 partner organizations spanning civic society, sport, culture, and environment. Its core offerings are the national benevol-jobs.ch volunteer job board, the benevol Tandem mentoring program (14-week 1:1 support for job seekers, now 20 years old with 120+ mentors), the biennial Prix benevol award, and a continuing-education course program covering volunteer coordination, legal aspects, and first aid.

The foundation operates the benevolpark, a co-working and meeting facility at St. Leonhard-Strasse 45 in St.Gallen directly adjacent to the main railway station, comprising five bookable rooms (Vadianplatz up to 50 persons, Drü Weierä, Stadtpark, St.Leonhard-Pär kli, Grabä-Pär kli), flexible and long-term workspaces, and a business address service (Park-Adressä), with a 360° virtual tour launched in May 2026. Supporting product lines include a free legal-consulting service for partners (CHF 100 for non-partners), a bi-annual print Stellenanzeiger in St.Galler Tagblatt and Sarganserländer, and the benevoltalk podcast (27 episodes since 2022).

The revenue model is a hybrid of public-sector performance agreements (Leistungsvereinbarungen) with Canton St.Gallen, Canton Appenzell Innerrhoden, the City of St.Gallen, and several municipalities, supplemented by St.Galler Kantonalbank and Migros Kulturprozent sponsorship, partner membership fees (CHF 100–300 annually depending on organization type), workspace and room rental income (hourly rates of CHF 25–95, with 20% partner discounts), course fees (CHF 50–120), legal consulting (CHF 100 for non-partners), and donations (IBAN disclosed). The 14-person team is led by Managing Director Peter Künzle with a six-member Board of Trustees chaired by Walter Wagner. Technology is operational rather than proprietary: the stack is built on CloudFlare, Google Analytics, Google Tag Manager, Locaboo, Flesk, Buzzsprout, and CookieYes.

Name

benevol St.Gallen

Legal name

Stiftung benevol St.Gallen

Website

https://benevol-sg.ch

Company type

Private

Founded year

2001

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

benevol St.Gallen is a Swiss foundation operating as the regional specialist office for voluntary engagement across the cantons of St.Gallen, Appenzell Ausserrhoden, and Appenzell Innerrhoden. It serves 300 partner nonprofits with job matching (benevol-jobs.ch), mentoring (Tandem), coworking (benevolpark), training, and legal consulting.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

St.Gallen

HQ country

Switzerland

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Partnership membership fees: Annual membership fees charged to partner organizations. Two tiers: (1) nonprofits operating exclusively with volunteers — CHF 150 first year, CHF 100 thereafter; (2) nonprofits with paid staff — CHF 400 first year, CHF 300 thereafter. Sub-groups charged at CHF 40 or CHF 80 respectively.
2. Room and workspace rentals (benevolpark): Rental income from meeting rooms (Grabä-Pärkli, St.Leonhard-Pärkli, Stadtpark, Drü Weierä, Vadianplatz), flexible and long-term workspaces, and business address services (Park-Adressä). Revenue recognized per booking or monthly rental agreement.
3. Course and event fees: Revenue from continuing education courses and events for volunteers, associations, and nonprofits. Pricing varies: CHF 50–120 for partners, CHF 50–110 for external participants depending on course type.
4. benevol-jobs.ch platform access: Free job posting for partner organizations on the national volunteer job board; partners also benefit from semi-annual print advertisements in St.Galler Tagblatt and Sarganserländer (benevol-Stellenanzeiger).
5. Legal consulting services: Legal advice on volunteer work provided free to partner organizations; CHF 100 fee for non-partners. Also includes publication of legal guidance documents by Dr. Markus Edelmann.
6. Government funding and sponsorships: Operational funding through performance agreements (Leistungsvereinbarungen) with public authorities including Canton St.Gallen, Canton Appenzell Innerrhoden, and multiple municipalities, as well as support from St.Galler Kantonalbank, Migros Kulturprozent, and other institutional sponsors.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

benevol St.Gallen is a foundation that operates as the first point of contact for voluntary work in eastern Switzerland. It runs the national volunteer job platform benevol-jobs.ch, the benevol Tandem mentoring program for job seekers, a continuing education program for volunteers and NPOs, the benevolpark co-working and meeting space facility, free legal advisory for partner organizations, and the biennial Prix benevol award. It is supported by 300 partner organizations, government performance agreements, and private sponsors.

Product overview

benevol St.Gallen ist eine Fachstelle für Freiwilligenarbeit mit einem mehrteiligen Dienstleistungsportfolio. Kern des Angebots bildet die nationale Plattform benevol-jobs.ch zur Vermittlung von Freiwilligeneinsätzen sowie das benevol Tandem Mentoringprogramm für Stellensuchende und der Prix benevol als kantonale Auszeichnung für Freiwilligenarbeit. Rund um diese Kernprodukte gruppieren sich Raum- und Arbeitsplatzvermietung im benevolpark (Sitzungszimmer, Seminarräume, flexible/längerfristige Arbeitsplätze, Geschäftsadresse), ein Weiterbildungs- und Kursprogramm, eine Rechtsberatung, ein Stellenanzeiger, ein Partnerschaftsprogramm sowie diverse Administrations- und Fundraising-Dienstleistungen für Vereine. Ergänzt wird das Angebot durch den benevoltalk Podcast und den 360°-Rundgang des benevolpark.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• benevolpark: A co-working center, meeting rooms, and event space operated by benevol St.Gallen, located at St. Leonhard-Strasse 45, 9000 St.Gallen, directly at the main railway station. The benevolpark serves as the hub for voluntary work, clubs, and non-profit organizations.
• benevol Tandem
• benevol-jobs.ch
• Prix benevol
• benevoltalk

Products and services

• benevol-jobs.ch National online job platform for voluntary work that lists volunteer engagement opportunities in areas such as sport, culture, social services, and environment. Free for partner organizations; enables individuals to search for engagements and organizations to recruit volunteers.
• benevol Tandem Mentoring Program 14-week 1:1 mentoring program pairing experienced volunteer mentors with job seekers for support in job search, resume optimization, and interview preparation. Includes Tandem 18plus and Tandem 50plus cohorts; over 120 active mentors.
• benevolpark Meeting & Seminar Rooms Rental of meeting rooms and seminar rooms of varying sizes (Grabä-Pärkli, St.Leonhard-Pärkli, Stadtpark, Drü Weierä, Vadianplatz) at benevolpark in St.Gallen, including equipment and optional catering. Partners receive a 20% discount.
• benevolpark Workspaces & Business Address Service Flexible and long-term workspaces at benevolpark near St.Gallen main train station, including WLAN, printer, lounge, reception, optional phone number and locker. Business address service (Park-Adressä) for post receipt.
• Courses & Continuing Education Continuing education courses and training events for volunteer coordinators and nonprofit staff. Topics include volunteer coordination, general assembly management, first aid, communication with volunteers, and legal aspects of voluntary work. Differentiated partner and external pricing.
• Legal Advisory for Volunteer Organizations Legal consulting on volunteer engagement, including deployment agreements, expense policies, liability, and data protection. Free for partner organizations; CHF 100 fee for non-partners.
• Prix benevol Award Biennial award program recognizing outstanding voluntary engagement of organizations and associations in categories Society, Culture, Sport, and Environment across cantons St.Gallen, Appenzell Ausserrhoden, and Appenzell Innerrhoden. Winners receive prize money (e.g. CHF 2,500 each).
• benevol Partnership Program Annual membership program for nonprofit organizations and clubs offering benefits including discounts on consulting, courses, room rentals, legal advisory, job board access, and the benevol-Stellenanzeiger. Two tiers based on staffing model.
• benevol-Stellenanzeiger (Print Job Listings) Bi-annual print publication featuring volunteer job advertisements in St.Galler Tagblatt and Sarganserländer, organized by activity area. Free for partner organizations.
• Administrative Services for NPOs Professional administration, communication, finance, and fundraising services for clubs and nonprofit organizations, including bookkeeping, social media management, copywriting, and access to online fundraising via partner platforms (Spheriq, fundoo).
• benevoltalk Podcast Podcast featuring interviews with volunteers and topics related to voluntary work in Switzerland. Hosted by Rosalie Manser; published on benevoltalk.ch and major podcast platforms.

Quantifiable outcome

• 120 nominations received for Prix benevol 2026 across 4 categories
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration14 records

Feature3 records

Partnerships

13 partnerships are on record, tiered core, flagship and minor.

• Kanton St.Gallen (Amt für Soziales, Amt für Wirtschaft und Arbeit)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPerformance agreement (Leistungsvereinbarung) with Canton St.Gallen through its Amt für Soziales (Office for Social Affairs) and Amt für Wirtschaft und Arbeit (Office for Economy and Labour) providing core operational funding. AWA collaborated with benevol to launch Tandem 18plus in 2006 and Tandem 50plus in 2008.
• Kanton Appenzell InnerrhodencoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPerformance agreement for services in Appenzell Innerrhoden, extending benevol's geographic reach.
• Stadt St.GallencoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMunicipal support through Leistungsvereinbarung with the City of St.Gallen, enabling local programming and the Projektschmiede initiative.
• Vereinigung St.Galler Gemeindepräsidentinnen & Gemeindepräsidenten (VSGP)flagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerKey supporter of the Prix benevol award. Multiple municipalities (Stadt Rapperswil-Jona, Stadt Wil, Stadt Gossau, Gemeinde Herisau, Gemeinde Fischenthal, Gemeinde Hittnau) also provide direct support through Leistungsvereinbarungen.
• FC St.Gallen 1879flagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-trustee of the Prix benevol award, contributing to the visibility of voluntary engagement in sports and culture in the region.
• Keel + Partner AG (Wirtschaftsprüfung und Beratung)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvides auditing and consulting services to benevol St.Gallen as a supporting organization.
• BDO AG (St.Gallen)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for financial accounting services for NPO clients. benevol offers BDO services to partner organizations; most work is performed by BDO trainees, supporting their education.
• SpheriqminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorOnline fundraising platform promoted by benevol St.Gallen to partner organizations. Provides access to digital fundraising markets, e-learning, and donor search tools.
• fundoo (Ostschweizer Spendenplattform)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorEastern Swiss donation/crowdfunding platform recommended by benevol to partner organizations for their fundraising projects.
• allerlei-leckerei (catering)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPreferred catering partner for events in benevolpark, offering fresh, seasonal, regional cuisine for apéros and events.
• Samariterverein Stadt St.GallenminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvides first aid course instructors for the Nothilfe-Kompaktkurs held at benevolpark, instructed by Nicole Grübel.
• SGG Schweizerische Gemeinnützige GesellschaftminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSupporting organization providing backing for voluntary work initiatives.
• Bäckerei Gschwend, Migros (catering suppliers)minorOthersExternal catering food suppliers for events hosted at benevolpark, providing apéro platters and desserts.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Caritas Schweiz: Largest Swiss nonprofit network, operating social services, integration programs, and humanitarian aid with significant volunteer coordination components across Switzerland. Broader scope than benevol St.Gallen but overlapping on NPO capacity building and volunteer mobilization.
• benevol Schweiz: National umbrella organization of the benevol cantonal foundations, including benevol St.Gallen. Coordinates national initiatives, standards, and represents the network at federal level, providing broader geographic and political reach than any single cantonal member.
• Swiss Red Cross (SRK): Major Swiss humanitarian organization with extensive volunteer-based service programs (emergency response, healthcare support, social integration). Much broader mandate than benevol St.Gallen but overlaps on the volunteer mobilization and training functions.

Regional players

• benevol Zürich: Sister cantonal volunteer coordination center operating under the same benevol.ch model in Canton of Zurich. Operates an analogous consulting, job board, training, and partner-network structure for NPOs in a different Swiss geography.
• benevol Bern: Sister cantonal volunteer coordination center in Canton of Bern running the same benevol model (consulting, partner network, courses, mentoring) for NPOs in a different Swiss geography.

Direct peers

• Flesk: Switzerland's largest workspace network whose platform makes benevolpark's rooms and workspaces bookable. Comparable co-working offering for SMB and impact-oriented tenants, and a direct competitor for any expansion of the benevolpark beyond St.Gallen.

Others

• Pro Senectute Schweiz: Swiss foundation supporting elderly welfare through volunteer-based services; co-founded the Tandem 18plus mentoring program with benevol St.Gallen and Migros Kulturprozent in 2006. Operates as a partner in adjacent volunteer-driven social services rather than a direct competitor.
• impact Hub Zurich: Co-working and innovation hub for social enterprises and impact-driven organizations in Switzerland; comparable positioning to benevolpark for impact-oriented tenants, though operating as part of a global network rather than a single nonprofit-run facility.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/benevol-st-gallen

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles14 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 benevol St.Gallen