Kolpinghaus
Kolping Deutschland is a 175-year-old non-profit Catholic social association serving ~200,000 members through ~2,100 local Kolpingsfamilien in Germany, operating 130+ accommodation facilities, 20 educational companies, hotels, recycling, youth housing, and refugee/climate programs under a community-led membership model.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1850
- HeadquartersKöln, Germany
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Kolpinghaus does
Kolping Deutschland (legally Kolping Deutschland e.V., Cologne) is a private, non-profit Catholic social association founded in 1850 by Adolph Kolping and renamed from Kolpingwerk Deutschland in November 2025. It serves approximately 200,000 members across roughly 2,100 local Kolpingsfamilien organized under 27 diocesan associations, employing around 10,000 staff across its facilities and companies in Germany, with global coordination via KOLPING INTERNATIONAL (over 9,000 Kolpingsfamilien worldwide).
Its core products span accommodation (130+ Kolpinghäuser, Kolping Hotels & Resorts, Kolping-Familienferienstätten, Kolping-Jugendwohnen for apprentices), education (20 Kolping-Bildungsunternehmen and Kolping Hochschule with four health/social degree programs), youth and refugee services (Kolping Jugendgemeinschaftsdienste workcamps, KOLPING-Netzwerk für Geflüchtete, Mitmach-Mobil, Klimamobil), commercial operations (Kolping Recycling GmbH textile recycling, KOLPING Sonne Wind Wald renewable energy project development), and engagement products (Kolpingmagazin magazine, Kolping-Shop merchandise, KOLPING-Wald forest conservation, ZukunftsFEST donation campaign). The supporting technology layer consists of eVEWA membership management software used across all chapters and the Kolpingwerkstatt digital content platform for engaged members.
Revenue is generated through a hybrid of recurring membership fees, donations and fundraising, transaction-based accommodation and educational services, and commercial income from recycling and merchandise; pricing is local for membership tiers (individual and household), unit-priced for merchandise (e.g., €9.95 cosmetic bag), training modules (€90 per "Fit für Kolping" session) and forest-protection donations (€4.60-€207 per m² block). The go-to-market is community-led, reaching members and beneficiaries through grassroots parish-based groups, supplemented by a multi-channel marketing mix of print (Kolpingmagazin), digital (website, newsletter, podcast "Gesellig"), social media, and on-site events. The organization is governed by a Bundesversammlung (Federal Assembly) and Bundesvorstand (Federal Board) under elected chair and chaplain leadership.
Kolpinghaus firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Kolpinghaus
- Legal name
- Kolping Deutschland
- Website
- https://kolping.de
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1850
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Kolping Deutschland is a 175-year-old non-profit Catholic social association serving ~200,000 members through ~2,100 local Kolpingsfamilien in Germany, operating 130+ accommodation facilities, 20 educational companies, hotels, recycling, youth housing, and refugee/climate programs under a community-led membership model.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Kolpinghaus industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Social and Community Services
- NAICS
- Religious, Grantmaking, Civic, Professional, and Similar Organizations (813), Civic and Social Organizations (81341), Civic and Social Organizations (813410)
- SIC
- Services-Membership Organizations (8600)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Dropout Prevention, Alternative Education & Re-Engagement Nonprofits (BPAGADAL)
Keywords
Where Kolpinghaus is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Köln
- HQ country
- Germany
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices1 record
Markets served
Kolpinghaus business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Others
Revenue model
- Membership Fees: Annual membership fees from approximately 200,000 members in Kolpingsfamilien across Germany
- Donations and Fundraising: Donations collected through various campaigns including ZukunftsFEST (youth support), KOLPING-Wald (forest protection), and general foundation donations. Online donation systems and dedicated fundraising campaigns.
- Kolping Shop Sales: Sale of Kolping-branded merchandise including travel accessories, promotional items through the online Kolping Shop (kolping-shop.eu)
- Accommodation Services: Revenue from Kolping Hotels, Kolpinghäuser (130+ facilities), and youth housing facilities offering overnight accommodations and event venues
- Education and Training Services: Revenue from 20 regional Kolping-Bildungsunternehmen (educational companies) offering vocational training and professional education programs
- Recycling Services: Revenue from Kolping Recycling GmbH collecting used clothing, shoes, and printer cartridges from charitable, municipal, and commercial sectors
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Annual | Individual membership with full benefits including Kolpingmagazin, accident insurance, and discounts |
| Subscription | Annual | Household/family membership covering multiple family members |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Kolping cosmetic bag - merchandise item |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Fit für Kolping training module - Module 5 |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | KOLPING-Wald forest protection donations |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels6 records
Marketing channels7 records
Kolpinghaus product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Kolpinghaus (Kolping Deutschland) is a non-profit Catholic social association and federation of approximately 2,100 local Kolpingsfamilien serving around 200,000 members across Germany. It delivers a portfolio of social, educational, and hospitality services through a network of 130+ Kolpinghäuser (accommodation facilities), youth housing, hotels and resorts, family vacation centers, 20 regional educational companies, and subsidiaries covering textile recycling and renewable energy projects. Membership provides access to the Kolpingmagazin, accident insurance, training programs, and a national grassroots community network.
Product overview
Kolping is a non-profit Catholic social association organized as a federation of approximately 2,100 local Kolping families with around 200,000 members. Its product portfolio spans housing and hospitality (over 130 Kolping-Häuser, youth housing, KOLPING Hotels & Resorts, and family vacation facilities), education and training (20 regional Kolping-Bildungsunternehmen, Kolping Hochschule with four health/social degree programs), youth services (Kolping Jugendgemeinschaftsdienste for international volunteer work), and environmental initiatives (KOLPING-Wald forest conservation, Das Klimamobil mobile climate exhibition, KOLPING Sonne Wind Wald for renewable energy). Operational support is provided through the Kolpingwerk Dienstleistungs gGmbH (IT/HR/finance services) and Kolping Recycling GmbH (textile recycling). Member-facing services include the Kolpingmagazin (membership magazine), the Kolping-Shop (branded merchandise), and eVEWA (member management software). Engagement programs include the annual ZukunftsFEST donation campaign against youth poverty and the KOLPING-Netzwerk für Geflüchtete refugee integration network.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Kolpingjugend: Youth organization of Kolping Germany for children, teenagers and young adults
- Kolpingwerkstatt
- Kolping-Shop
- Kolpingmagazin
- Kolping-Podcast (Gesellig)
Products and services
- Kolping-Häuser (Association of Kolping Houses)
- Kolping Jugendwohnen
- KOLPING Hotels & Resorts
- Kolping-Familienferienstätten
Quantifiable outcome
- Kolping Germany ranked among 'Deutschlands beste Arbeitgeber' (Germany's best employers) in 2026, improving by one place from previous year
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use Kolpinghaus
Customer profileNamed customers4 records
Segments1 record
Ideal customer profiles5 records
Kolpinghaus technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature3 records
Kolpinghaus partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Six partnerships are on record, tiered core, moderate and minor.
- Deutscher Kinderschutzbund Dortmund e.V. (German Child Protection Agency Dortmund)corePartnership for prevention and protection against sexual abuse. The organization provides trusted contact persons and professional support for victims and concerned parties. The German Child Protection Agency provides experienced teams in child protection work and advises institutions on child welfare issues. Available Monday to Thursday 9am-3pm via hotline and WhatsApp.
- Verband der Kolpinghäuser (VKH)coreAssociation of Kolping Houses supporting the refugee network project as a network partner, contributing accommodation facilities and resources for integration activities.
- Verband der Kolping-Bildungsunternehmen (KBU)coreAssociation of Kolping Educational Companies supporting the refugee network as a network partner, contributing educational and vocational training resources for integration programs.
- KOLPING INTERNATIONALcoreGlobal umbrella organization connecting Kolping Germany with Kolping organizations in Europe, Africa, Asia, and America. Over 9,000 Kolpingsfamilien worldwide form a vibrant international community committed to mutual solidarity. KOLPING INTERNATIONAL coordinates international projects, youth exchanges, and development cooperation.
- Arbeitsgemeinschaft christlicher Arbeitnehmerorganisationen (ACA)moderateEcumenical alliance of Christian worker organizations including Kolping Germany, Catholic Workers' Movement (KAB), and Federal Association of Protestant Workers (BVEA). Cooperates on social security representation at health insurance funds, pension insurance, and accident insurance organizations.
- Deutsche TelekomminorProvides free SIM cards for refugees from Ukraine. One card per refugee family with unlimited calls and data usage to help with integration and communication.
Scale indicators8 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Kolpinghaus competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Johanniter-Unfall-Hilfe: Protestant-affiliated humanitarian organization with national youth, volunteer, social, and refugee programs. Operates a comparable federation-of-chapters model targeting similar members and donors.
- Deutsches Rotes Kreuz (DRK): Germany's Red Cross society and one of the top welfare associations. Comparable federation scale, youth programs, refugee integration work, and a national network of regional chapters with parallel service offerings.
- Arbeiterwohlfahrt (AWO): One of Germany's six recognized welfare associations, with a comparable federation model (national, state, local chapters), member base, and service portfolio spanning youth, family, education, and senior care.
- Malteser Deutschland: Catholic aid service rooted in the Order of Malta, running parallel youth, refugee, and social programs with regional chapter structures. Competes for Catholic volunteers, members, and donor funding.
- Caritas Deutschland: The German Catholic welfare confederation and Kolping's closest conceptual counterpart. Operates a parallel national network of diocesan Caritas associations, social services, hospitals, and educational facilities, competing for the same Catholic-affiliated donor and volunteer base.
- IN VIA Katholische Mädchensozialarbeit: Catholic social organization focused on youth mobility, vocational training, and support for young women — directly comparable to Kolping's Bildungsunternehmen and Jugendwohnen portfolios.
- Diakonie Deutschland: The Protestant Church's social welfare federation. Mirrors Kolping's structure with member associations, regional chapters, education, refugee programs, and youth services — the principal faith-based peer serving the same vulnerable populations in Germany.
Others
- Zentralkomitee der deutschen Katholiken (ZdK): The coordinating committee of Catholic laity in Germany. Not a direct service provider but the institutional body representing Catholic associations including Kolping in political and ecclesiastical advocacy — adjacent enabling/complementary peer.
Emerging players
- Bund der Deutschen Katholischen Jugend (BDKJ): The umbrella federation of Catholic youth organizations in Germany. Comparable youth-led community structure, paralleling Kolpingjugend and competing for the same young Catholic demographic.
Broad incumbents
- KOLPING INTERNATIONAL: The global Kolping umbrella and parent entity. Provides the international structure within which Kolping Deutschland operates, and coordinates cross-border programs, development cooperation, and youth exchanges among 9,000+ Kolpingsfamilien worldwide.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Kolpinghaus social profiles
Digital presenceKolpinghaus compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance1 record
Kolpinghaus financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Kolpinghaus leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles12 records
Kolpinghaus subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries10 records
Kolpinghaus funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Kolpinghaus M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Kolpinghaus
What does Kolpinghaus do?
Kolpinghaus (Kolping Deutschland) is a non-profit Catholic social association and federation of approximately 2,100 local Kolpingsfamilien serving around 200,000 members across Germany. It delivers a portfolio of social, educational, and hospitality services through a network of 130+ Kolpinghäuser (accommodation facilities), youth housing, hotels and resorts, family vacation centers, 20 regional educational companies, and subsidiaries covering textile recycling and renewable energy projects. Membership provides access to the Kolpingmagazin, accident insurance, training programs, and a national grassroots community network.
Is Kolpinghaus a public or private company?
Kolpinghaus is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Kolpinghaus founded?
Kolpinghaus was founded in 1850. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Kolpinghaus based?
Kolpinghaus is headquartered in Köln, Germany, in the Europe region.
How does Kolpinghaus make money?
Six revenue lines are on record. Membership Fees are the primary driver. The others are donations and Fundraising, kolping Shop Sales, accommodation Services, education and Training Services and recycling Services.
Who are Kolpinghaus's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Johanniter-Unfall-Hilfe, Deutsches Rotes Kreuz (DRK), Arbeiterwohlfahrt (AWO), Malteser Deutschland, Caritas Deutschland, IN VIA Katholische Mädchensozialarbeit and Diakonie Deutschland. Zentralkomitee der deutschen Katholiken (ZdK) is listed as an others. Bund der Deutschen Katholischen Jugend (BDKJ) is listed as an emerging player. KOLPING INTERNATIONAL is listed as a broad incumbent.
Does Kolpinghaus have an API?
No public API is recorded for Kolpinghaus.
What industry is Kolpinghaus in?
Kolpinghaus's product category is Social and Community Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAGADAL, Dropout Prevention, Alternative Education & Re-Engagement Nonprofits. Its NAICS code is 813 and its SIC code is 8600.