Elternnotruf

What Elternnotruf does

Elternnotruf (legal name Elternnotruf Zürich) is a Swiss non-profit association founded in 1983 and headquartered at Weinbergstr. 135, Zürich. It operates a multi-channel counseling service for parents, caregivers, and professionals working with families, offering 24/7 telephone support (0848 354 555), email counseling (2-day response), live chat (Monday-Thursday 6-10pm), and in-person or video personal counseling at income-based rates. Overnight calls (11pm-8am) are routed to Dargebotene Hand Zurich under a partnership arrangement. The organization also delivers structured parent education, most notably the 'Neue Autorität für Eltern' (New Authority for Parents) discussion group for parents of children aged 5-12, plus courses and lectures for professionals. Counseling is delivered by a team of qualified social workers, educators, and psychologists who are themselves parents; services are available in German with callback support in French, Italian, English, and Spanish.

Underlying technology is intentionally low-tech and security-focused: counseling records are stored in a Microsoft Access database on a local server with cloud backup, staff access is gated through an SSL VPN, and email correspondence is encrypted with an 8-week mail-server retention policy. There is no proprietary software platform, no mobile app, and no AI/automation layer; service delivery is human-mediated across all channels. The go-to-market model is community-led and referral-driven, relying on earned media coverage in major Swiss outlets (NZZ, Blick, SRF, Tages-Anzeiger, Migros Magazine, Fritz+Fränzi), an in-house content platform (Fachwissen) with podcasts and films, active social media, and inbound referrals from schools, daycare centers, and child-protection services.

The revenue model is a hybrid of public-sector funding and charitable giving. Approximately half of the operating budget is derived from government subsidies (Canton of Zurich as primary funder) and service contracts with 7 additional Swiss cantons; the remaining half comes from donations (foundations, associations, municipal councils, parishes, individuals). Membership fees (CHF 100 individual, CHF 250 corporate) and income-based personal counseling fees are supplementary. The organization is ZEWO-certified (Swiss non-profit quality seal, valid 2021-2025) and is independently audited by BDO AG Zurich, with 15 total staff and an entirely voluntary Board of Directors.

Name

Elternnotruf

Legal name

Elternnotruf Zürich

Website

https://elternnotruf.ch

Company type

Private

Founded year

1983

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Elternnotruf is a Swiss non-profit founded in 1983 in Zürich operating a 24/7 multi-channel parent counseling helpline (phone, email, chat, in-person/video) across 8 cantons, funded by government subsidies, cantonal service contracts, and donations, with 15 staff and ZEWO certification.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Parent Counseling Services

NAICS

Individual and Family Services (6241), Educational Support Services (611710)

SIC

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

akta.pro primary industry

Family & Community Support Services (Case Management, Referrals) (EDAJAIAK)

akta.pro secondary industries

Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) Programs & Supports (EDAJAIAC), Youth Mental Health, Counseling & Wellbeing (Education-Linked) Nonprofits (BPAGADAK), Family Engagement & Caregiver Support Programs (SEL/Mental Health) (EDAKAMAK), Staff Training, Coaching & Professional Development (SEL/Mental Health) (EDAKAMAL)

Keywords

• Parent counseling services
• Family support hotline
• Crisis intervention hotline
• Parenting education programs
• Nonprofit family services

Headquarters

HQ city

Zürich

HQ country

Switzerland

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Government Subsidies and Cantonal Service Contracts: Elternnotruf receives subsidies from the Canton of Zurich and has service agreements (contracts) with 7 other cantons. These government funds form the primary revenue base, representing approximately half of the budget together with donations.
2. Donations: Donations from foundations, associations, municipal and city councils, parishes, and private individuals. These donations represent approximately half of the operating budget. The organization is Zewo-certified (Swiss non-profit quality seal) and is eligible to receive tax-deductible donations.
3. Membership Fees: Annual membership fees: CHF 100 for individuals, CHF 250 for companies. Members support the association's cause and can participate in the annual general meeting and events.
4. In-Person/Virtual Counseling (Income-Based): Personal face-to-face or video counseling is offered at income-based rates, providing a supplemental revenue stream for deeper counseling engagements.
5. Legacies and Bequests: Testamentary bequests and bereavement donations are accepted as a form of legacy giving, providing long-term financial support.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Elternnotruf is a Zürich-based non-profit association that provides free, anonymous, low-threshold counseling to parents, caregivers, and professionals on family life, parenting challenges, child development, crises, and family violence via four modalities: 24/7 telephone hotline, email counseling, scheduled chat counseling, and personal in-person or video counseling at income-based rates. It complements counseling with education programs including "Neue Autorität für Eltern" discussion groups, parent and professional training courses, and a public knowledge resource (Fachwissen) of articles, podcasts, and films.

Product overview

Elternnotruf is a nonprofit parent helpline and counseling organization offering a multi-channel service platform. The core offering consists of four counseling modalities: 24-hour telephone counseling (0848 354 555), email counseling, chat counseling (Monday–Thursday 6–10 p.m.), and personal face-to-face or video counseling in Zurich. Supporting the counseling services are education programs including discussion groups on 'Neue Autorität' (New Authority) for parents of children aged 5–12, parent education events at schools and daycare centers, and professional development for practitioners. The organization also maintains a knowledge resource platform (Fachwissen) with articles, podcasts, and films on parenting topics. All services are available in German, with callback support in French, Italian, English, and Spanish.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• 24/7 Telephone Counseling (Telefon-Beratung)
• Email Counseling (Mail-Beratung)
• Chat Counseling (Chat-Beratung)
• Personal/Face-to-Face Counseling (Persönliche Beratung)
• Discussion Groups "Neue Autorität für Eltern" (Gesprächsgruppen)
• Parent Education Events (Bildungsanlässe für Eltern und Bezugspersonen)
• Professional Education (Bildungsanlässe für Fachpersonen)

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 700 counseling contacts per year from Bern canton alone

Named customers3 records

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Canton of ZurichcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 1983Primary government funder. The Canton of Zurich provides ongoing subsidies to support the organization's operations as the main cantonal backer.
• 7 Additional Swiss Cantons (via Service Contracts)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerElternnotruf has concluded service contracts with 7 other Swiss cantons in addition to Zurich, enabling residents of those cantons to access the counseling services. These contracts represent approximately half of the operating budget.
• Dargebotene Hand ZurichcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDargebotene Hand Zurich handles all nighttime calls to the Elternnotruf hotline between 11pm and 8am, ensuring continuous 24/7 coverage.
• Child Protection and Family Services Network (Switzerland)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerElternnotruf maintains a curated link directory of partner organizations including Violetta (women's shelter), 147 (youth helpline), KIZ crisis centers, children's hospitals, child protection groups, youth welfare centers (kjz), and other counseling services across Switzerland. Referrals flow in both directions.
• BDO AG ZurichminorOthersBDO AG in Zurich serves as the independent auditing body, guaranteeing correct accounting and financial transparency for the non-profit organization.
• ZEWO (Swiss Non-Profit Certification)coreOthersZEWO is the Swiss certification body for charitable organizations. Elternnotruf holds the ZEWO quality seal, which subjects the organization to strict conditions regarding the use of donations, accounting, and administrative costs.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Emerging players

• Familylab Schweiz: Swiss arm of the Jesper Juul-inspired family education movement, offering parent counseling, courses, and workshops. Comparable on the education/methodology side and competes for the same 'Neue Autorität'-adjacent parenting audience.
• Pro Mente Sana: Swiss mental health advocacy and counseling non-profit offering low-threshold advice for individuals and families. Comparable as a non-clinical, donation- and contract-funded counseling provider addressing family stress and mental wellbeing, partly overlapping with Elternnotruf's burnout and crisis support scope.

Broad incumbents

• Elternbildung CH: National umbrella for parent education in Switzerland, coordinating the Elternbildungsbörse and course catalogs. Comparable as a network providing paid parenting courses and discussion groups, and a venue where Elternnotruf lists and competes for course registrations.
• Pro Juventute: Switzerland's largest child and youth welfare non-profit, operating the 147 youth helpline and a broad portfolio of family support services. Overlaps directly with Elternnotruf on parent/family counseling and child protection referrals, but at much larger national scale and brand recognition.

Regional players

• Violetta – Beratungsstelle für sexuell ausgebeutete Kinder und Frauen: Zurich-based counseling center for children, adolescents, and women affected by sexual violence. Comparable as a non-profit counseling organization and listed as a referral partner by Elternnotruf; overlaps on family crisis and violence topics.
• Mütter- und Väterberatung (cantonal): Cantonal parent counseling services (e.g., Basel, Bern, Aargau) that offer free, in-person early-parenthood advice. Directly comparable in service (parent counseling) and funding model (cantonal subsidies), and constitute Elternnotruf's main substitute at the cantonal level.
• Pädagogische Elternberatung Aargau: Cantonal pedagogical parent counseling service offering free advice and courses. Comparable as a publicly funded, low-threshold parent advice provider in a specific Swiss canton; competes for the same per-canton service contracts.

Direct peers

• Kinderschutz Schweiz: Swiss foundation focused on child protection and family wellbeing. Comparable as a Zewo-certified non-profit offering counseling, courses, and information for parents on violence, neglect, and child-rearing issues; competes for the same donor and cantonal funding pools.
• Pro Familia (Schweiz): Swiss non-profit providing sexual and family planning counseling, parent education, and sex education. Comparable in mission (family counseling and education), funding mix (cantonal contracts, donations, Zewo-certified), and target audience of parents and families.
• Die Dargebotene Hand (143): Swiss 24/7 emotional support helpline operating on the same low-threshold, anonymous, telephone-based model. Directly comparable in funding mix (cantonal contracts, donations, Zewo-certified non-profit) and in mission to provide crisis-line support, and actually partners with Elternnotruf to handle overnight calls.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@elternnotrufzurich
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/elternnotruf

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Elternnotruf