Frelsesarmeen

What Frelsesarmeen does

Frelsesarmeen is the Norwegian branch of The Salvation Army, operating as a Christian church, humanitarian organization, and social welfare provider. Founded in Norway in 1888 (with the parent organization established in London in 1865), it delivers social services across approximately 300 local units (korps/churches) nationwide, from Mandal in the south to Kirkenes in the north, with a headquarters in Oslo. The organization serves vulnerable populations across multiple domains: child welfare (foster homes, institutions, family support), elderly care (Omsorg+ centers, telephone companionship, digital assistance), substance abuse treatment (Gatehospitalet, Behandlingstunet, Jobben), prison services (Elevator, CAMEO, chaplain services), migration support (Migrasjonssenteret, Safe House Filemon), and international development aid across 28 projects in 15 countries supporting approximately 200,000 people.

The organization's service portfolio is delivered through specialized facilities and programs rather than a unified technology platform. Key operating units include Fretex (Norway's largest work integration enterprise and second-hand retail chain, contributing approximately 30 million NOK annually to social work), Others (an ethical e-commerce platform), Gatehospitalet (specialized addiction treatment hospitals in Oslo and Bergen), Frelsesarmeens offisersskole (a two-year officer training school), and Dynamo (a one-year youth leadership program with 60 study credits). The Jeløy kurs- og konferansesenter provides hospitality and conference services. Digital infrastructure consists of a donor portal (min side), website-based donation capabilities (Vipps, card payments), and standard social media channels rather than proprietary technology.

Frelsesarmeen's revenue model is multi-streamed: individual donations (one-time, recurring monthly, testamentary bequests), government grants and contracts from agencies including Helsedirektoratet, NAV, Bufdir, KFK, and IMDi, social enterprise revenue from Fretex (10% of annual second-hand sales transferred to social work), corporate partnerships (tiered from 300,000 NOK for cooperation partners to 1M+ NOK for main partners), and international fadder (sponsor child) programs at 200-700 NOK per month. The organization is structured as a private non-profit with wholly-owned subsidiaries (Fretex, Frelsesarmeens Eiendommer AS, Frelsesarmeens offisersskole AS, FAbU) and is part of the broader Salvation Army network operating in 134 countries worldwide.

Name

Frelsesarmeen

Legal name

Frelsesarmeen

Website

https://frelsesarmeen.no

Company type

Private

Founded year

1865

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

501–1,000 employees

Short description

Frelsesarmeen is the Norwegian branch of The Salvation Army, a Christian church and humanitarian organization operating approximately 300 local units across Norway delivering child welfare, elderly care, addiction treatment, prison services, and migrant support, funded through donations, government contracts, and social enterprise (Fretex).

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Humanitarian and Social Services

NAICS

Religious Organizations (8131), Civic and Social Organizations (813410)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600), Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Local Congregations & Worship Communities (Churches, Mosques, Temples, Synagogues) (BPAGAJAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Faith-Based Humanitarian Aid & Relief Ministries (BPAGAJAF), Refugee, IDP & Migration Humanitarian Assistance (BPAGAAAH), Refugee & Immigrant Support Services (BPAGAEAI)

Keywords

• Humanitarian social services
• Substance abuse treatment
• Child welfare services
• Elderly care services
• Second-hand retail

Headquarters

HQ city

Oslo

HQ country

Norway

HQ region

Europe

Offices7 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Individual Donations and Gifts: Individual donors contribute one-time or recurring gifts via the website, Vipps, bank transfers, testamentary bequests, and memorial gifts. The organization runs regular giving campaigns including Christmas assistance programs.
2. International Development Support: Funding for international aid and development work including fadder (sponsor child) programs supporting 28 projects in 15 countries, emergency relief donations, and long-term development project support.
3. Fretex Social Enterprise: Fretex operates as a retail chain for second-hand goods and recycling. Ten percent of annual second-hand sales revenue (approximately 30 million NOK) goes to support the organization's broader social work.
4. Government Grants and Contracts: Frelsesarmeen receives funding from government bodies including Helsedirektoratet, NAV, KFK, Integrerings- og mangfoldsdirektoratet, Bufdir, municipalities and health enterprises for operating social services, elderly care, and childcare facilities.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Frelsesarmeen (The Salvation Army in Norway) operates as a Christian church and charitable humanitarian organization delivering social services across addiction treatment, child welfare, elderly care, prison ministry, migrant support, and international development. The organization runs Fretex, Norway's largest work-inclusion second-hand retail chain, and offers sponsored child (fadder) programs, ethical e-commerce through Others, educational programs, and a conference center.

Product overview

Frelsesarmeen (The Salvation Army in Norway) operates as a Christian church, social movement, and humanitarian organization offering a broad portfolio of social services rather than a unified technology product. The organization provides services across multiple domains including child welfare (foster homes, institutions), elderly care (Omsorg+ centers, phone services), substance abuse treatment (Gatehospitalet, Behandlingstunet, Jobben), prison services (Elevator, CAMEO, chaplain services), migration support (Migrasjonssenteret, Safe House), and international aid. Key social enterprises include Fretex (second-hand retail and job inclusion) and Others (ethical e-commerce). Educational offerings include Dynamo (youth leadership program with 60 study credits) and the Officer School (two-year theological training). The organization operates nationwide through approximately 300 local units (korps/churches), with international presence in 134 countries.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Fretex: Norway's largest work integration enterprise and second-hand retail chain, contributing 10% of annual sales (approx. 30M NOK) to Frelsesarmeen's social work. Operates second-hand stores and environmental/recycling operations nationwide.
• Others
• Gatehospitalet

Products and services

• Fretex A second-hand retail chain and social enterprise providing job inclusion services across Norway. Ten percent of annual second-hand sales revenue supports Frelsesarmeen's other social work; it is Norway's largest work-integration enterprise.
• Omsorg+ (Ensjøtunet & Teisen) Housing and activity centers for elderly persons aged 67 and above, operated on behalf of Oslo municipality, offering security services, activities, and hot meals 365 days a year.
• Gatehospitalet A hospital providing tailored medical treatment for people with severe substance abuse addiction, with locations in Oslo and Bergen.
• Behandlingstunet Fetsund A treatment institution specializing in substance abuse treatment, including alcohol problems, offering 27 residential treatment places for up to one year.
• Jobben Employment training and aftercare service for people with substance abuse issues, providing belonging, community, and meaningful daily activities.
• Migrasjonssenteret A center providing shower, food, rest, and information about rights and opportunities in Norway for migrants.
• Vinternatt Emergency overnight shelter opened when perceived temperature in Oslo drops to at least -10 degrees, for people without legal residence and/or social rights in Norway.
• Elevator An open prison institution on Teisen in Oslo for inmates seeking change before release, helping them transition to safe housing, meaningful work, stable finances, and positive networks.
• Safe Way Home Program for repatriation and reintegration of foreign inmates in Norwegian prisons.
• Kapellantjenesten Prison chaplain service visiting inmates in Norwegian prisons, meeting people's needs with Christian compassion regardless of ethnicity, culture, or religion.
• Omsorgsplasser for barn og ungdom Child welfare institutions with departments for children and youth.
• Fosterhjem Specialized foster homes — private homes that take in children and youth with additional needs, functioning as a full-time job for foster parents.
• Telefontjenesten Nationwide phone service for people over 60 who want a conversation partner; assigns a fixed phone friend who calls regularly.
• Datahjelp Digital assistance for elderly in Oslo covering smartphones, online banking, and apps such as Ruter, Facebook, Instagram, and Google.
• Frelsesarmeens barnehager Kindergartens in Asker, Oslo, Drøbak, and Stavanger open to all, emphasizing Christian values based on over 100 years of history.
• Dynamo A one-year leadership training program for youth offering personal development, faith exploration, and 60 study credits as part of The Salvation Army Officer School.
• Frelsesarmeens offisersskole A two-year education program at Teisen, Oslo, for those called to full-time ministry in The Salvation Army, providing 50% salary during studies.
• Jeløy kurs- og konferansesenter Conference and course center located in Moss offering venue rental, accommodation, team building, and dining services with scenic views of Oslofjord.
• Gatesykepleien Street nursing service in Bergen providing health services to people at various stages of vulnerability, including the lonely, substance abusers, victims of human trafficking, mentally ill, and undocumented persons.
• Hannas hus Temporary housing for women in active substance abuse in Bergen.
• Fadder (Sponsor Child) Program Monthly sponsorship program supporting children and families through 28 projects across 15 countries, enabling individual donors to contribute 200–700 NOK per month.
• Safe House Filemon Housing for men who have been subjected to forced labor.
• Others (ethical e-commerce) Online store for ethically traded products, creating employment for people who would otherwise be at the back of the job queue.

Quantifiable outcome

• Approximately 200,000 people supported through international development programs
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments7 records

Ideal customer profiles7 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core and flagship.

• Helsedirektoratet (Norwegian Directorate of Health)coreOthersGovernment health authority providing funding and support for Frelsesarmeen's addiction treatment services and harm reduction programs.
• NAV (Norwegian Labour and Welfare Administration)coreOthersGovernment welfare agency providing funding support for social services, work integration programs, and employment assistance.
• Bufdir (Norwegian Directorate for Children, Youth and Family Affairs)coreOthersGovernment directorate supporting Frelsesarmeen's child welfare services, foster care programs, and family support initiatives.
• KFK (Kriminalomsorgen)coreOthersNorwegian Correctional Service providing support for prison ministry and reintegration programs.
• Integrerings- og mangfoldsdirektoratet (IMDi)coreOthersDirectorate of Integration and Diversity supporting integration programs and migrant services provided by Frelsesarmeen.
• Corporate Main Partners (unnamed)flagshipGTM or Marketing PartnerLong-term strategic partnerships with businesses contributing minimum 1 million NOK annually or equivalent in services for three-year contracts with comprehensive support and joint planning.
• Corporate Cooperation Partners (unnamed)coreGTM or Marketing PartnerBusiness partnerships starting at 300,000 NOK annually with minimum one-year commitment. Partners can select a focus area or project for their support.
• Egon (Restaurant Chain)coreGTM or Marketing PartnerRestaurant partnership expanded to include support for Frelsesarmeen's social programs through various initiatives.
• Frelsesarmeen International (The Salvation Army International)flagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerGlobal network of The Salvation Army spanning 130+ countries, coordinating international development, emergency relief, and shared mission. International headquarters in London coordinates global efforts.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Blå Kors Norge: Norwegian addiction treatment and recovery organization operating treatment centers and supported housing. Comparable to Frelsesarmeen's rusomsorg division (Gatehospitalet, Behandlingstunet, Fyrlyset) as a specialized Norwegian addiction services provider with treatment facilities nationwide.
• Norsk Folkehjelp: Norwegian humanitarian and solidarity organization providing first aid, refugee services, and international development. Comparable to Frelsesarmeen in combining domestic social services with international aid programs and operating a federated volunteer network.
• Caritas Norge: Norwegian Catholic humanitarian organization providing refugee support, family services, and international development. Directly comparable to Frelsesarmeen as a faith-rooted humanitarian organization with social services and international aid programs.
• Kirkens Bymisjon: Norwegian faith-based social services organization operating across Oslo and other major cities, providing homeless services, addiction support, elderly care, and child welfare. Directly comparable to Frelsesarmeen as a Christian-mission-driven social welfare provider with overlapping service lines and similar government contract funding.
• Redd Barna (Save the Children Norway): Norwegian child rights organization providing child welfare, advocacy, and international development. Comparable to Frelsesarmeen's oppvekst division (foster homes, child welfare institutions, family support) with similar funding mix from government, individual donors, and corporate partners.
• SOS-barnebyer Norge: Norwegian branch of SOS Children's Villages providing family-based care for children without parental care. Comparable to Frelsesarmeen's foster home and child welfare services with similar mission to provide stable, family-like environments for vulnerable children.
• Norwegian Red Cross (Røde Kors): Norway's largest humanitarian organization, operating first-aid, refugee integration, prison visitation, and youth programs with a similar nationwide volunteer network. Comparable to Frelsesarmeen in mission scope, government partnership model, and volunteer-driven service delivery across Norway.

Broad incumbents

• The Salvation Army International: Global parent organization of Frelsesarmeen operating across 134 countries with similar service portfolio. Comparable as the umbrella organization coordinating international development, emergency relief, and shared mission that Frelsesarmeen feeds into via its international work.

Emerging players

• Stine Sofie Stiftelsen: Norwegian foundation focused on protecting children from violence and abuse, operating a learning center and advocacy programs. Comparable as a Norwegian non-profit working in the child welfare space, though smaller in operational scope than Frelsesarmeen's child welfare division.
• Habitat for Humanity Norge: Norwegian branch of Habitat for Humanity providing affordable housing and housing support for vulnerable populations. Comparable to Frelsesarmeen's housing services (Akuttboliger, Safe House Filemon, Omsorg+) in the housing-for-vulnerable space, though smaller in scale.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/ensjotunet
• Instagraminstagram.com/ensjotunet
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/frelsesarmeen---the-salvation-army

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles20 records

Subsidiaries5 records

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 Frelsesarmeen