What Elisabethstift Berlin does

Elisabethstift Berlin is a private, tax-exempt civil-law foundation (Stiftung bürgerlichen Rechts) operating as a licensed Kinder- und Jugendhilfeeinrichtung under the German Social Code Book VIII (SGB VIII) and as a member of the Diakonisches Werk, the Protestant welfare network. Founded in 1826, it is one of Berlin's oldest children's homes and currently serves more than 215 children and adolescents aged 0-18 across Berlin-Brandenburg, employing roughly 270 full-time staff and supported by more than 200 regular volunteers. Its service portfolio spans the full continuum of child and youth welfare: stationary residential groups, semi-stationary day and parent-child groups, ambulante outpatient family support, two kindergartens with 80 places, a state-recognized Gemeinschaftsschule (grades 1-10) co-located with a special-education center, a vocational school for social pedagogy (Fachschule für Sozialpädagogik), and community assets including the Familientreff Wittenau and the Alte Fasanerie Lübars educational farm.

The organization's operating model is referral-based rather than commercial: families and children are routed through the Jugendamt, schools, doctors, and therapists, and services are delivered free at the point of use. Revenue is dominated by recurring public-sector reimbursements from Berlin Jugendamt contracts under SGB VIII, supplemented by individual and corporate donations (including via PayPal, Spendino, and Betterplace crowdfunding), Diakonie membership infrastructure, a sponsorship program, and fees associated with the in-house vocational training school. Methodologically, the organization has practiced Existenzielle Pädagogik — a life-affirming, reform-pedagogical approach — across the entire carrier since 2005, distinguishing it from peer providers and informing its in-house educator training.

There is no meaningful proprietary technology platform; operations rely on a public-facing website, standard payment integrations, and social media channels. Recent strategic activity has focused on capacity additions (two new residential groups in Falkenberg in 2025, Kita reopening in 2024), talent infrastructure (the Fachschule founded jointly with EJF in 2021), and leadership stabilization following the May 2023 death of CEO Helmut Wegner and subsequent appointment of Martin Zwick alongside co-managing directors Sandra Haase and Alfred Enns. The organization is preparing to mark its 200-year anniversary in 2026.

Name

Elisabethstift Berlin

Legal name

Elisabethstift

Website

https://elisabethstift-berlin.de

Company type

Private

Founded year

1826

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Elisabethstift Berlin is a nonprofit foundation (founded 1826) and licensed SGB VIII child and youth welfare provider in Berlin-Brandenburg, operating residential care, outpatient services, schools, kindergartens, and a vocational school for educators, serving over 215 children and adolescents aged 0-18 through approximately 270 staff.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Child and Youth Welfare Services

NAICS

Child and Youth Services (62411), Individual and Family Services (6241), Child Care Services (62441), Other Residential Care Facilities (6239)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Child Day Care Services (8351)

akta.pro primary industry

Maternal, Child & Family Health Organizations (BPAGACAF)

akta.pro secondary industries

Inclusive / Special-Needs Supported Before/After Care (Early Years) (EDACAHAL), Down Syndrome & Intellectual/Developmental Disabilities (IDD) Childcare (HSAAAIAC), School-Age Wraparound Childcare Centers (Holiday/Break Care) (EDACAAAL)

Keywords

• Child and youth welfare
• Residential care services
• Family support programs
• Social pedagogy education
• Community school operations

Headquarters

HQ city

Berlin

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Government funding (Jugendamt): Primary funding from youth welfare offices (Jugendamt) for residential care, family support services, and educational services under SGB VIII (German Social Code Book VIII - Child and Youth Services)
2. Donations and charitable contributions: Individual donations, corporate donations, birthday/anniversary fundraising, and memorial donations. Also receives support through Betterplace crowdfunding platform.
3. Diakonisches Werk membership: Organizational membership in the Diaconal Works (Diakonie), part of the Protestant church network, providing operational framework and support
4. Training and education fees: Partial funding for vocational training school (Fachschule für Sozialpädagogik) providing education for future educators

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Elisabethstift Berlin is a child and youth welfare institution (Kinder- und Jugendhilfeeinrichtung) operating under SGB VIII, providing residential, outpatient, and semi-stationary care services to over 215 children and youth aged 0-18 and families in crisis across Berlin-Brandenburg. The organization operates integrated facilities including two kindergartens (80 places), a state-recognized community school (grades 1-10), family meeting points, a vocational school for social pedagogy, and a farm for family recreation.

Product overview

Elisabethstift Berlin operates as a comprehensive child and youth welfare institution (Kinder- und Jugendhilfeeinrichtung) in Berlin-Brandenburg, offering a multi-tiered portfolio of services. As one of Berlin's oldest children's homes (founded 1826), the organization provides residential care (stationäre Hilfen) for over 215 children and youth, outpatient services (ambulante Hilfen), semi-stationary day care (teilstationäre Hilfen), and operates two kindergartens (KiTas) with 80 total places. Educational offerings include the Elisabethstift-Schulen, a state-recognized Gemeinschaftsschule (grades 1-10) combined with a special education support center. The portfolio extends to the Alte Fasanerie Lübars (a public farm and event venue), Familientreff Wittenau (family community center), and the newly established Fachschule für Sozialpädagogik (vocational school for educator training). Unique to the organization is the Existenzielle Pädagogik—a distinctive life-affirming pedagogical philosophy practiced throughout since 2005. Additional services include sponsorship programs (Patenschaften), the BrauchBar donation center, corporate Social Days, and the Kompetenzteam volunteer program.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Alte Fasanerie: Farm and family meeting place located in Lübars, offering educational programs and events for families
• Familientreff Wittenau
• Elisabethstift-Schulen
• Fachschule für Sozialpädagogik
• BrauchBar
• Kita Alte Stadtvilla

Products and services

• Stationäre Hilfen (Residential Care)
• Ambulante Hilfen (Outpatient Services)

Named customers4 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

Integration8 records

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• CAP teamevent und PferdimpulsminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 24 August 2021Horse-assisted coaching and team building services offered on the Alte Fasanerie premises. Provides corporate team events and team building programs using trained horses for leadership and communication training.
• EJF (Evangelisches Jugendwerk und Fürsorge)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 16 April 2021Joint partnership to establish a Fachschule für Sozialpädagogik (vocational school for social pedagogy) with focus on residential care and Existential Pedagogy. Aims to address staff shortages in the childcare sector while providing practical, theory-based education for future social educators.
• Rotary Club Berlin-LuftbrückeminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCharitable partnership for fundraising events. Rotary club organized a benefit art auction in November 2024 to support Elisabethstift's programs for children in need.
• Diakonisches Werk (Diakonie)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUmbrella organization membership. Elisabethstift is a member of the Diaconal Works (Protestant church social service network), providing operational framework, ethical guidelines, and institutional support under Christian values.
• BetterplaceminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCrowdfunding platform used for the 'Mehr ABC durch WLAN' digital inclusion campaign, enabling online donations for technology infrastructure improvements.
• Bezirksamt ReinickendorfcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal government partnership responsible for commissioning Elisabethstift to maintain the Alte Fasanerie for families and provide educational programs. Also handles infrastructure projects such as fencing.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• EJF (Evangelisches Jugend- und Fürsorgewerk): Berlin-based Protestant child, youth, and family welfare organization. Existing core strategic partner of Elisabethstift in operating the Fachschule für Sozialpädagogik; directly comparable as a Diakonie-affiliated child welfare provider in the Berlin market.
• Albert-Schweitzer-Kinderdörfer und Familienwerke: Non-profit operator of children's villages, residential groups, and family services across Germany. Closely comparable in mission, funding model (SGB VIII), and service portfolio (residential care, outpatient support, family assistance).
• SOS-Kinderdorf: Germany's largest non-profit child welfare organization operating residential villages, youth support, and family services nationwide. Directly comparable to Elisabethstift as a SGB VIII-funded residential and family support provider, though at significantly larger national scale.
• Outlaw gGmbH: Major German non-profit operator of kindergartens, schools, residential care, and youth welfare services. Directly comparable as an integrated SGB VIII service provider, with a similar mix of educational and residential offerings.
• Evangelisches Johannesstift Berlin: Large Berlin-based Diakonie non-profit providing child, youth, and elderly care, education, and social services. Comparable to Elisabethstift in Diakonie affiliation, integrated service model, and Berlin-Brandenburg geography.

Broad incumbents

• Caritas Kinder- und Jugendhilfe: The Catholic counterpart to Diakonie in Germany's welfare system, operating extensive residential, outpatient, and educational child welfare services nationwide. Comparable funding and service model but operates on a much larger, national scale under a different confessional umbrella.
• Diakonisches Werk der EKD: National umbrella organization of Protestant welfare services in Germany. Elisabethstift is a member; provides ethical, operational, and funding-network support for affiliated child welfare providers comparable to Elisabethstift.
• Deutscher Kinderschutzbund: Nationwide non-profit association focused on child protection, family counseling, and advocacy. Comparable mission around child welfare, though oriented more toward advisory and advocacy than direct residential care delivery.

Emerging players

• Stiftung Kinderglück: Smaller German foundation supporting children in difficult circumstances through financial aid and project funding. Comparable as a child-welfare Stiftung bürgerlichen Rechts, but with a narrower grant-making model rather than direct service delivery.

Regional players

• Pfefferwerk Stadtkultur gGmbH: Berlin-based non-profit providing early childhood education, family support, and youth services. Comparable as a Berlin-focused multi-service child and family welfare provider, though smaller and education-centric rather than residential-focused.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCVTJQ8t-Cox2iQElQIzG4yg
• Facebookfacebook.com/Elisabethstift.Berlin
• Instagraminstagram.com/elisabethstift_berlin
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/elisabethstift-berlin

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Subsidiaries5 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 Elisabethstift Berlin