Deutsche Stiftung für Engagement und Ehrenamt

What Deutsche Stiftung für Engagement und Ehrenamt does

The Deutsche Stiftung für Engagement und Ehrenamt (DSEE) is a German federal foundation under public law headquartered in Neustrelitz, Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, established in July 2020 as the first nationwide point of contact for promoting voluntary engagement and civic participation. Founded as the core outcome of the federal Commission for Equal Living Conditions, the foundation supports approximately 20,000 civic organizations, municipalities, and individual volunteers through an integrated platform combining grants, consulting, training, and recognition. Since its founding, DSEE has disbursed roughly €143 million across its programs, with a statutory mandate emphasizing rural and structurally weak regions, youth recruitment, digital transformation, and innovation in civil society.

Name

Deutsche Stiftung für Engagement und Ehrenamt

Legal name

Deutsche Stiftung für Engagement und Ehrenamt

Website

https://deutsche-stiftung-engagement-und-ehrenamt.de

Company type

Private

Founded year

2020

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

The Deutsche Stiftung für Engagement und Ehrenamt (DSEE) is a federally funded German foundation established in 2020 that provides grants, training, consulting, and digital platforms (Lernportal, Förderportal, Förderdatenbank) to ~20,000 civic organizations and volunteers nationwide.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Civic Engagement Foundation Services

NAICS

Grantmaking Foundations (813211), Religious, Grantmaking, Civic, Professional, and Similar Organizations (813)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

Intergovernmental Affairs & Federal Grants Administration (BPAIAAAC)

Keywords

• Civic engagement support
• Volunteer grant programs
• Nonprofit consulting services
• Volunteer training programs
• Civil society funding

Headquarters

HQ city

Neustrelitz

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Federal Government Funding: The DSEE is a federal foundation funded primarily by the German federal government. The annual federal contribution is 30 million euros, provided by the Federal Chancellery (20 million euros) and the Federal Ministry for Food, Agriculture and Consumer Protection (10 million euros).

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

Deutsche Stiftung für Engagement und Ehrenamt (DSEE) is a federal foundation under public law that strengthens voluntary engagement and civic participation across Germany by distributing grants (Mikroförderprogramm, 100xDigital, Engagiertes Land, FuturE, transform_D, action!, ZukunftsWIRkungs-Fonds), delivering free professional consulting (fundraising, legal, insurance), providing training (Erste-Hilfe, Fahrsicherheit, Selbstbehauptung, #DSEEerklärt webinars), operating three digital platforms (Lernportal, Förderportal, Förderdatenbank), and coordinating the national Deutscher Engagementpreis recognition award — all offered free of charge to volunteers, nonprofit organizations, and municipalities.

Product overview

Deutsche Stiftung für Engagement und Ehrenamt (DSEE) operates a multi-channel platform combining digital tools, grant programs, training services, and recognition awards to strengthen volunteer engagement across Germany. The core digital infrastructure consists of three interconnected platforms: the DSEE-Lernportal (free knowledge and learning resources), the DSEE-Förderportal (digital grant application and management system), and the Förderdatenbank (searchable funding database). These are complemented by approximately 15 specialized grant programs including 100xDigital for digitalization, Engagiertes Land for regional development, FuturE for youth engagement, transform_D for digital transformation, and the Deutscher Engagementpreis for national recognition. Training offerings include #DSEEerklärt webinar series, Erste-Hilfe-Kurse (first aid), Fahrsicherheitstraining (driving safety), and Selbstbehauptungstraining (self-assertion). Annual events include the transform_D Summit and the Ehrentag nationwide participation day. The organization also coordinates the Pro Bono Allianz Deutschland network for pro bono professional support.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Deutscher Engagementpreis (DEP): The umbrella award for voluntary engagement in Germany, organized by DSEE since 2024, honoring people and projects that have received recognition for their engagement.
• Ehrentag
• DSEE-Lernportal
• #DSEEerklärt

Products and services

• DSEE-Lernportal

Quantifiable outcome

• Since 2020, approximately 20,000 clubs, organizations, and initiatives have been supported with about 143 million euros in funding
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers8 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration8 records

Feature4 records

Partnerships

15 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and flagship.

• WHU – Otto Beisheim School of ManagementcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProgram partner for the FuturE certificate and management program for young adults. Provides academic expertise and program delivery for recruiting young volunteers.
• Bundesnetzwerk Bürgerschaftliches Engagement (BBE)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCooperation partner in the 'Engagiertes Land' program. Receives program data and collaborates on program implementation with the DSEE and Thünen-Institut.
• Thünen-Institut für Regionalentwicklung e.V.coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCooperation partner in the 'Engagiertes Land' program. Collaborates on program implementation, receives data, and contributes to regional development research.
• Bundesarbeitsgemeinschaft der Freien Wohlfahrtspflege (BAGFW)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-host of the transform_D Summit 2026 alongside DSEE in Berlin. Represents major welfare organizations in Germany.
• Bundespräsidialamt (Federal President's Office)flagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerFederal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier is initiator and patron (Schirmherr) of the Ehrentag nationwide civic participation day. The DSEE co-implements the Ehrentag in close cooperation with the Federal President's Office.
• Deutsche VerkehrswachtmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner for the free Fahrsicherheitstraining (driver safety training) program for engaged citizens. Provides experienced trainers and training facilities across Germany.
• Pro Bono Allianz DeutschlandcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAlliance coordinated by DSEE connecting nonprofits with pro bono professional expertise. Members include CorrelAid, Haus des Stiftens, Personio Foundation, Schmid Stiftung, startsocial, UPJ, and youvo.
• CorrelAidmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMember of Pro Bono Allianz. Mobilizes network of volunteer data scientists to support civil society organizations with data analysis, pro bono projects, and training.
• Haus des StiftensmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMember of Pro Bono Allianz. Social enterprise supporting effective engagement of nonprofits, companies, and foundations. Organizes Pro-Bono-Camp format.
• Personio FoundationmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMember of Pro Bono Allianz. Foundation strengthening nonprofits in education and climate protection through funding, strategic support, and mentoring programs.
• Schmid StiftungmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMember of Pro Bono Allianz. Supports nonprofits with organizational development consulting through volunteer systemic consultants in formats like OE-Reflexion and OE-Werkstatt.
• startsocialmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMember of Pro Bono Allianz. Nationwide support program providing volunteer consulting from business professionals to social initiatives in areas like strategy, financing, and digitalization.
• UPJmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMember of Pro Bono Allianz. Network connecting companies, civil society, and public actors to strengthen societal engagement and responsible business practices through pro bono programs.
• youvomajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMember of Pro Bono Allianz. Platform connecting creatives from design, communication, and digital fields with nonprofits needing support with digitalization and public relations.
• ProunixcoreTechnology or IntegrationTechnology partner providing the SaaS platform for digital grant application and management for multiple DSEE programs including Engagiertes Land, 100xDigital, and other grant programs.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Emerging players

• Points of Light Foundation: US-based nonprofit operating a global civic-engagement platform including the Daily Point of Light Award and HandsOn Network. Comparable to DSEE in its mission to recognize, connect, and support volunteers and civic engagement, though operating in a different national context.

Direct peers

• Aktion Mensch: Germany's largest social lottery, funding projects for inclusion, education, and civic participation. Comparable to DSEE as a large-scale national grantmaker for civil society with a focus on vulnerable populations and participation.
• Bundesarbeitsgemeinschaft der Freien Wohlfahrtspflege (BAGFW): Umbrella organization of Germany's six leading welfare associations (Caritas, Diakonie, AWO, Paritätischer, DRK, ZWST). Directly comparable to DSEE as a major national coordination body for social-sector organizations; co-hosts DSEE's transform_D Summit.
• Bundesverband Deutscher Stiftungen: Germany's leading association of foundations with over 28,000 member foundations. Directly comparable as a national coordination, advocacy, and service platform for the German foundation and civil-society ecosystem, operating on a similar nationwide support mandate.
• Haus des Stiftens: Social enterprise supporting effective engagement of nonprofits, companies, and foundations. Member of DSEE's Pro Bono Allianz and a directly comparable provider of infrastructure services for civil society, including pro bono matching and digital tools.
• startsocial: Germany-wide program providing volunteer consulting from business professionals to social initiatives. Member of DSEE's Pro Bono Allianz and a closely comparable provider of pro bono expertise to NGOs, addressing the same capacity-building pain point DSEE targets.
• Bundesnetzwerk Bürgerschaftliches Engagement (BBE): Germany's national network for civic engagement, bringing together civil society, government, and business to promote participation. Directly comparable to DSEE as a DSEE cooperation partner in the Engagiertes Land program; both operate at the national level to coordinate civic engagement infrastructure.

Broad incumbents

• Bertelsmann Stiftung: One of Germany's largest private foundations, operating broad programs in education, democracy, and social participation. Comparable to DSEE in mission around civic engagement and democratic participation, but operates at much larger scale across wider thematic areas.
• Robert Bosch Stiftung: Major German foundation funding projects in education, health, and international relations. Comparable to DSEE in the foundation support role for civil society and in grantmaking programs, though with a broader international scope.
• Körber-Stiftung: Major Hamburg-based foundation with programs in democratic participation, education, and international dialogue. Comparable to DSEE in its civic-engagement focus and award programs (e.g., Deutscher Engagementpreis analogs), but at significantly larger scale.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/d_s_e_e
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UC6i8HIv5X0suuPEPSKNU2HA
• Facebookfacebook.com/EngagementStiftung
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/dsee
• Instagraminstagram.com/engagement_und_ehrenamt
• TikToktiktok.com/@ehrenstiftung

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Deutsche Stiftung für Engagement und Ehrenamt