Deutsches Kinderhilfswerk e.V.

What Deutsches Kinderhilfswerk e.V. does

Deutsches Kinderhilfswerk e.V. (DKHW) is a registered charitable association (eingetragener Verein) founded in 1972 in Munich and headquartered at Leipziger Straße 116-118 in Berlin-Mitte (postal code 10117). It is one of Germany's oldest and most established children's rights organizations, operating 47 staff across 13 specialized web domains and a dense coalition network. In FY2025, DKHW reported total income of 13.274 million EUR, of which donations (including withdrawals from purpose reserves) comprised 63%, with the remainder drawn from membership fees, court-assigned fines (Geldauflagen und Bußgelder), corporate partnerships, and the Stiftung Deutsches Kinderhilfswerk foundation established in 2015.

The organization's core offerings span (a) donation collection — one-time, monthly, quarterly, and annual giving with preset tiers (€25/€50/€100/€250) plus Fördermitglied (supporting membership) subscriptions; (b) grantmaking through a portfolio of themed and regional Förderfonds, which distributed over 3.9 million EUR to 2,008 projects across 5 years (~12.965 million EUR cumulative); (c) the Kindernothilfefonds emergency assistance program, active since 1993 and distributing over 4 million EUR to families in acute distress, with individual grants typically capped at €500; (d) the Kinderhäuser network of children's houses providing meals, emotional support, and cultural programming; (e) research and advocacy products including the annual Kinderrechte-Index (UN Convention on the Rights of the Child implementation benchmarking across all 16 German states) and the Kinderreport Deutschland policy publication; and (f) public-facing awareness campaigns such as Weltkindertag (World Children's Day, September 20) and Weltspieltag (officially recognized by the UN in 2025 as International Day of Play on June 11), plus the Deutscher Kinder- und Jugendpreis award program operated in partnership with Europa-Park (€30,000 total prize money across three categories).

DKHW's go-to-market relies on direct-to-consumer fundraising through dkhw.de, a multi-channel marketing apparatus spanning Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, LinkedIn, Bluesky, Threads, email newsletters, and physical donation boxes in Rossmann drugstores (17+ year partnership), supplemented by corporate partnerships with companies including BACKWINKEL, stepscon, aerobis fitness, TeeGschwendner, Südzucker, and BBBank Stiftung. Court fines, accepted via registration with all Oberlandesgerichte since 1994 through dedicated SozialBank accounts, provide a regulatory-anchored revenue stream. The organization holds multiple third-party credibility certifications (DZI Spenden-Siegel, Erbschaftssiegel "In guten Händen", Initiative Transparente Zivilgesellschaft) and works through coalitions it initiated or actively co-staffs, including Bündnis Recht auf Spiel, BundesNetzwerk Kinder- und Jugendbeteiligung, and Initiative Kinderrechte ins Grundgesetz. There is no technology platform product; the underlying operational stack is a set of specialized content sites, an online donation platform (PayPal, Visa/Mastercard, SEPA), a self-serve funding database (foerderfonds.dkhw.de), an e-commerce shop (shop.dkhw.de), and an online application portal for the Kindernothilfefonds.

Name

Deutsches Kinderhilfswerk e.V.

Legal name

Deutsches Kinderhilfswerk e.V.

Website

https://dkhw.de

Company type

Private

Founded year

1972

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Deutsches Kinderhilfswerk e.V. is a Berlin-based German nonprofit founded in 1972 that advocates for children's rights through donations, Förderfonds grantmaking, Kindernothilfefonds emergency aid, research publications, and nationwide awareness campaigns, serving 103,996 children and youth in FY2025 across all 16 German states with 13.274 million EUR in total income.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Nonprofit Children's Rights and Welfare Services

NAICS

Human Rights Organizations (813311), Individual and Family Services (6241), Grantmaking and Giving Services (81321), Emergency and Other Relief Services (62423)

SIC

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

akta.pro primary industry

Child Protection & Child Rights (BPAGABAG)

Keywords

• Children's rights advocacy
• Nonprofit charitable funding
• Youth participation programs
• Emergency family assistance
• Donation-based services

Headquarters

HQ city

Berlin, Berlin

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Others, Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Individual Donations: Private individuals donate to support children in Germany. Donations represent the largest portion of revenue at 63% of total annual income (2025). Recurring donation options include monthly, quarterly, and annual giving. One-time donations are also accepted.
2. Membership Fees (Fördermitglied): Individuals become supporting members with recurring monthly contributions. Members receive benefits such as a children's rights calendar as a thank-you gift.
3. Court Fines and Penalties (Geldauflagen und Bußgelder): Courts assign monetary penalties and fines to the organization. Since 1994, DKHW has been registered with all regional courts (Oberlandesgerichte) nationwide as a recipient of such funds.
4. Corporate Partnerships: Companies support through corporate partnerships, donation boxes in stores, sponsorships, and corporate donations. Long-standing partnerships include Rossmann (17+ years with donation boxes) and others.
5. Endowments and Legacies: The foundation (Stiftung Deutsches Kinderhilfswerk) accepts endowments starting from 50,000 EUR and legacy bequests, providing long-term sustainable funding.
6. Project Funding Reallocation: The organization distributes funds to children and families in need (over 400,000 EUR in 2025) and supports projects through various themed and regional funding pools (Förderfonds).

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

Deutsches Kinderhilfswerk e.V. is a registered nonprofit charitable association (eingetragener Verein) that advocates for children's rights in Germany through grant funding, emergency family aid, educational programs, and policy advocacy. Its primary offerings include the Förderfonds grant programs for child participation projects, the Kindernothilfefonds emergency assistance fund, court fine administration services, the Kinderhäuser network, the annual Kinderreport and Kinderrechte-Index research publications, and the Deutscher Kinder- und Jugendpreis award program.

Product overview

Deutsches Kinderhilfswerk e.V. operates as a charitable children's rights organization rather than a technology company. Its primary offerings include donation collection services, grant funding programs (Förderfonds) supporting youth participation projects across Germany, emergency family assistance through the Kindernothilfefonds, and court fine allocation services. The organization produces research and advocacy materials including the annual Kinderrechte-Index measuring UNCRC implementation, Kinderreport Deutschland publications, and manages the annual Weltspieltag (International Day of Play) awareness campaign. Key youth engagement programs include the Deutscher Kinder- und Jugendpreis award (30,000€ total), Kinderhäuser (children's houses) network, Kinderrechte-Kitas certification, and a Children and Youth Advisory Board (Kinder- und Jugendbeirat). The organization maintains an online grant application platform (foerderfonds.dkhw.de) and online shop (shop.dkhw.de). Related web domains include kinderrechte.de, kindersache.de, kinderpolitik.de, weltkindertag.de, schulsache.de, and various thematic portals for democracy education and children's participation.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Kinderhausprogramm: A program supporting children's houses that provide safe spaces, cultural activities, and support for disadvantaged children and families.
• Kindernothilfefonds
• Weltspieltag
• Deutscher Kinder- und Jugendpreis
• Geldauflagen und Bußgelder

Products and services

• Förderfonds (Themenfonds, Länderfonds, Sonderfonds)
• Kindernothilfefonds (Children's Emergency Aid Fund)
• Geldauflagen und Bußgelder (Court Fines and Penalties Administration)
• Spendenplattform (Online Donation Platform)
• Stiftung Deutsches Kinderhilfswerk (Foundation Endowment Program)
• Deutscher Kinder- und Jugendpreis (German Children and Youth Award)
• Weltspieltag (International Day of Play)
• Kinderhäuser Programm (Children's Houses Program)
• Kinderrechte-Kitas (Children's Rights Daycare Certification)
• Kinder- und Jugendbeirat (Children and Youth Advisory Board)
• Förderdatenbank / Antragstellung (Online Funding Application Portal)
• Online-Shop (shop.dkhw.de)

Quantifiable outcome

• 103,996 children and youth strengthened through funded projects in 2025
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers10 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

17 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• RossmanncoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorLong-standing corporate partnership of 17+ years. Rossmann hosts donation collection boxes in all their drugstores throughout Germany. This represents one of the oldest and most effective donation collection instruments for the organization.
• BBBank StiftungcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate foundation that donated 40,000 EUR as sponsorship for the Gelbe Villa (Yellow Villa) children's center. Supports the organization with significant financial contributions.
• BACKWINKEL GmbHminorGTM or Marketing PartnerEducational supplies company partnering on projects related to 'Zu Fuß zur Schule und zum Kindergarten' (Walking to School) campaign and donations for combating child poverty in Germany.
• stepscon GmbHminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate partner supporting children in Germany with donations. The company emphasizes that children are the future and wants to contribute to providing every child with prospects.
• aerobis fitness GmbHminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate partner that donated 15% of online purchases to DKHW, particularly focused on refugee child integration. Offers customers a feel-good factor instead of discounts during holiday season.
• TeeGschwendner GmbHminorGTM or Marketing PartnerTea company that donated VAT savings to the Kindernothilfefonds (Children's Emergency Aid Fund), channeling customer donations for children in need.
• Südzucker AGminorGTM or Marketing PartnerFood company whose employee representatives selected DKHW for donations to rebuild playgrounds in flood-affected regions, enabling children to laugh again.
• Europa-ParkcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMajor theme park supporting the Deutscher Kinder- und Jugendpreis ceremony for over 20 years, hosting the annual award event and providing a child-friendly framework. Also sponsors the Europa-Park JUNIOR CLUB Award.
• EurochildcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEuropean network of organizations working for children's rights. DKHW is a member, contributing to international exchange and advocacy for children's rights at European level.
• National Coalition Deutschland - Netzwerk zur Umsetzung der UN-KinderrechtskonventioncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGerman network for implementation of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child. DKHW is a member, working collaboratively on children's rights advocacy.
• Bündnis Recht auf SpielcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCoalition for children's right to play, initiated by DKHW. Coordinates annual Weltspieltag (World Play Day) activities in Germany.
• BundesNetzwerk Kinder- und JugendbeteiligungcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFederal Network for Children's and Youth Participation, initiated by DKHW. Supports participation structures across Germany.
• Initiative 'Kinderrechte ins Grundgesetz'coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCoalition advocating for inclusion of children's rights in the German Basic Law (Grundgesetz). Initiated by DKHW.
• SpielTiger e.V.minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner organization collaborating on playground projects and school supply distribution, such as providing school backpacks to refugee children in Hamburg.
• Bündnis KINDERGRUNDSICHERUNGcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCoalition advocating for children's basic security and against child poverty. DKHW is a member working on policy advocacy.
• Nationale ArmutskonferenzminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational poverty conference. DKHW participates as member to advocate for children affected by poverty.
• Deutscher Paritätischer WohlfahrtsverbandminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGerman welfare association. DKHW is a member, participating in broader social welfare advocacy.

Scale indicators11 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights7 records

Direct peers

• Deutsche Kinder- und Jugendstiftung (DKJS): Direct peer: German foundation focused on children's education, participation, and youth development. Highly comparable on participation, democracy education, and project-funding mechanics, with similar scope and target beneficiaries.
• Save the Children Deutschland: Direct peer: German arm of Save the Children, focused on children's rights and emergency aid. Competes directly with DKHW for individual donors and corporate partnerships in Germany, with broader international brand and crisis-response mandate.
• SOS-Kinderdorf Deutschland: Direct peer: German children's welfare nonprofit operating children's villages, family support programs, and emergency aid. Highly comparable mission (supporting disadvantaged children in Germany) and donor-funded model, though larger scale and more service-delivery oriented.
• Kindernothilfe e.V. Direct peer: Germany-based children's rights and child welfare nonprofit focused on child sponsorship and project funding. Shares the funding-pool mechanics, donor-funded model, and child-focused mission, though with stronger international scope.
• terre des hommes Deutschland: Direct peer: German children's rights nonprofit focused on child poverty, participation, and humanitarian aid. Comparable on advocacy-driven children's rights mission, donor-funded model, and project-funding mechanics, with international scope.

Broad incumbents

• Diakonie Deutschland: Broad incumbent: umbrella welfare organization of Protestant churches in Germany with extensive child and family services. Overlaps with DKHW on family emergency support, child poverty advocacy, and project funding, though at a much larger federated scale.
• Deutsches Rotes Kreuz (DRK): Broad incumbent: large German humanitarian organization with substantial child welfare, youth services, and emergency aid programs. Overlaps with DKHW on emergency family support and child-focused humanitarian work, but as part of much broader portfolio.
• UNICEF Deutschland: Broad incumbent: German fundraising office for UNICEF with strong brand recognition among German donors. Competes for children's-cause giving, advocacy positioning, and corporate CSR programs at a larger scale with global mandate.
• Caritas Deutschland: Broad incumbent: large Catholic welfare organization operating extensive child, family, and youth services across Germany. Competes for donor mindshare and government contracts in child welfare, particularly in emergency family assistance programs.

Emerging players

• Bundesvereinigung Kulturelle Kinder- und Jugendbildung: Emerging player: German umbrella for cultural youth education, funding projects on cultural participation, media literacy, and creative youth work. Directly comparable on cultural education and project funding mechanics for children and youth.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xbsky.app/profile/dkhw.bsky.social
• YouTubeyoutube.com/@KinderhilfswerkDE
• Facebookfacebook.com/dkhw.de
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/deutsches-kinderhilfswerk
• Instagraminstagram.com/deutscheskinderhilfswerk_e.v?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 records

Subsidiaries1 record

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 Deutsches Kinderhilfswerk e.V.