Menschen für Menschen - Karlheinz Böhms Äthiopienhilfe (Verein in Österreich)

What Menschen für Menschen - Karlheinz Böhms Äthiopienhilfe (Verein in Österreich) does

Menschen für Menschen is an Austrian nonprofit association (Verein) founded in 1981 by actor Karlheinz Böhm that implements integrated rural development projects in Ethiopia. It addresses five core program areas—water, agriculture, health, education, and income generation—plus environmental reforestation, operating through a long-term "Hilfe zur Selbsthilfe" (help for self-help) methodology across 29 Ethiopian project regions since inception, 13 of which were completed by end-2023. The organization maintains a Vienna headquarters with approximately 24 staff and an in-country Ethiopian team of roughly 800 personnel. Programmatic output is substantial: 2,894 wells and spring catchments, 306 million tree seedlings planted, 72,972 eye surgeries, 477 schools built, and 31,053 microcredits issued to women.

The organization's digital offerings center on an SSL-encrypted online donation platform powered by FundraisingBox (Wikando GmbH) with payment processing via Micropayment AG and Raiffeisenlandesbank Niederösterreich-Wien for SEPA direct debits. Supporter engagement runs on Brevo (formerly Sendinblue) for email automation, self-hosted Matomo for cookieless analytics, and a Nagaya quarterly magazine published in digital and print. Product surface includes one-time donations (€20/€50/€100 presets plus custom amounts), the "Pat:in mit Weitblick" monthly recurring sponsorship at €21 per month, gift donations (Geschenkspende), themed Spendenbox packages, and unit-priced project sponsorships ranging from €2,500 (health station equipment) to €50,000 (forestry contributions). Technology is operational and donor-experience oriented, not a differentiator in itself.

The revenue model is entirely donation-based, with over 90% of funds derived from private individuals and companies combined. The supporter base of approximately 19,000 active donors generated approximately €3.2 million in revenue in 2023 and approximately €3 million in 2024. Distribution channels include the online self-serve donation portal, bank transfer with automatic Austrian tax authority reporting (yielding donors a 25–55% tax refund), event ticketing, and substantial pro bono media placement. Major partnerships support both fundraising (Cooltours Reise GmbH, e-dialog, b2c-media, Springer & Jacoby Österreich) and program delivery (Austrian Doctors, Land Salzburg, FAKT).

Name

Menschen für Menschen - Karlheinz Böhms Äthiopienhilfe (Verein in Österreich)

Legal name

Menschen für Menschen, Karlheinz Böhms Äthiopienhilfe, Verein zur Hilfeleistung für Menschen in Entwicklungsländern

Website

https://menschenfuermenschen.at

Company type

Private

Founded year

1981

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Austrian nonprofit association founded in 1981 by Karlheinz Böhm implementing integrated rural development projects in Ethiopia across water, agriculture, health, education, and income programs. Funded by approximately 19,000 private and corporate donors contributing around €3 million annually.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

International Humanitarian Development and Rural Aid Services

NAICS

Grantmaking and Giving Services (81321), Other Grantmaking and Giving Services (813219), Voluntary Health Organizations (813212)

akta.pro primary industry

Rural Livelihoods & Economic Empowerment (BPAGABAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

International Grantmaking & Development Foundations (BPAGAKAH), Climate, Environment & Natural Resource Management Aid Programs (BPADABAI), Nutrition & Food Security (Global Health) NGOs (HLAJAKAH), Gender Equality & Women’s Rights (BPADAGAF)

Keywords

• Humanitarian development aid
• Rural development programs
• Clean water projects
• Agricultural training services
• Education and healthcare

Headquarters

HQ city

Vienna

HQ country

Austria

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Private Donations: Individual donors contribute the vast majority of funding - over 90% of revenue comes from private individuals. Donors give one-time or recurring donations, with approximately 19,000 active supporters in 2023.
2. Corporate Donations: Companies support through donations and sponsorships, contributing to over 90% of revenue alongside private donations. Partners like Cooltours Reise GmbH provide matching contributions for specific campaigns.
3. Project Sponsorship: Companies and individuals can sponsor specific project areas (water, agriculture, health, education, income) or contribute to specific initiatives like school construction, reforestation, or healthcare stations.
4. Sponsorship (Patenschaft): Monthly recurring donations through the 'Pat:in mit Weitblick' (sponsor with foresight) program, providing €21/month for sustained support and planning security.
5. Gift Donations (Geschenkspende): Donations made as gifts, allowing donors to give the experience of helping rather than material presents for occasions like birthdays or holidays.
6. Donation Boxes: Personalized 'spendenbox' where donors can curate specific themed donations for themselves or as gifts.
7. Event Revenue: Revenue from events like the Disco-Bim after-work party (€12 per ticket), with proceeds supporting project work in Ethiopia.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

Menschen für Menschen is an Austrian nonprofit association that implements long-term integrated rural development projects in Ethiopia across five core program areas — water, agriculture, health, education, and income — plus environmental afforestation. It funds this work through private and corporate donations collected via its online portal, recurring sponsorship (Pat:in mit Weitblick), event revenue, and themed gift donations. Its operations are supported by SSL-encrypted donation infrastructure, a quarterly Nagaya magazine, and an interactive project map for donor transparency.

Product overview

Menschen für Menschen is a charitable development organization (not a technology company) that operates primarily through its website to facilitate donations and communicate its mission. The organization implements integrated rural development projects in Ethiopia across five core program areas: Water, Agriculture, Health, Education, and Income Generation, plus Environmental projects. Its digital offerings include an online donation platform, regular sponsorship program, quarterly Nagaya Magazine, themed donation boxes, and gift donations. The website serves as the main interface for supporter engagement, project information, and fundraising activities.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Nagaya Magazin: Quarterly magazine of Menschen für Menschen that provides insights into the organization's project regions in Ethiopia. 'Nagaya' means peace.

Products and services

• Online Donation Platform (Direkt Spenden) Website-based one-time donation system accepting credit card, PayPal, Apple Pay, Google Pay, and direct debit, with pre-set amounts of €20, €50, €100 and a custom amount option. Allows donors to contribute instantly to Menschen für Menschen' work in Ethiopia.
• Pat:in mit Weitblick (Recurring Sponsorship Program) Recurring donation program offering monthly, quarterly, or annual sponsorship at €21 per month (or equivalent) for sustained, predictable support of Menschen für Menschen' project work in Ethiopia.
• Spendenbox (Personalized Donation Box) Personalized donation box that lets donors select specific themed causes and amounts to support, usable as a personal giving tool or as a gift for occasions such as birthdays or weddings.
• Geschenkspende (Gift Donation) Donation made as a gift for special occasions, with customizable certificates and notifications delivered to the recipient in lieu of material presents.
• Nagaya Magazin (Quarterly Magazine) Quarterly magazine published in print and digital format providing insights into project regions, beneficiary stories, and organizational news to supporters. 'Nagaya' means peace in Ethiopian languages.
• Water Supply Projects (Program Area) Integrated program area focused on construction of wells, spring catchments, and water supply systems providing access to clean drinking water and improved hygiene in Ethiopian communities. Outputs include 2,894 wells and spring catchments cumulatively.
• Agriculture Programs (Program Area) Program area providing sustainable farming training, seed distribution, fruit tree seedlings, and composting techniques to improve food security and agricultural yields for Ethiopian families.
• Healthcare Services (Program Area) Program area providing medical supplies, solar refrigerators for vaccine cooling, training for healthcare workers, family planning education, and combatting harmful traditional practices. Outputs include 72,972 eye-saving surgeries cumulatively.
• Education Initiatives (Program Area) Program area providing school construction (477 schools built cumulatively), books and teaching materials, and teacher continuing education programs for children in remote Ethiopian regions.
• Income Generation Programs (Program Area) Program area supporting cooperatives and micro-enterprises, vocational training, and microfinance to create economic opportunities and sustainable livelihoods (31,053 microcredits issued cumulatively, often targeting women).
• Afforestation and Environmental Projects (Program Area) Program area covering tree planting campaigns, nurseries (756 tree nurseries established), and forest conservation to protect soils from erosion, improve fertility, and create habitats. Linked to the Waldwette campaign with Cooltours Reise GmbH.

Quantifiable outcome

• 26.60 EUR social return per 1 EUR invested in women's programs (SROI study by WU Wien)
• +7 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration10 records

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Cooltours Reise GmbHcoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 June 2026Long-term partner supporting the annual Waldwette (forest bet) reforestation campaign. Contributes €10,000 per campaign and matches/triples donated forest area. Located in Graz, Austria. Partnership demonstrates corporate responsibility for environmental protection.
• Austrian DoctorscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for water supply project in Busa, approximately 95 km southwest of Addis Ababa. With support from the state of Salzburg, the project will provide clean drinking water to approximately 30,000 people upon completion.
• e-dialogminorGTM or Marketing PartnerDigital marketing agency providing pro bono support for Google Ads Demand Gen campaign. Specializes in data-driven marketing. As Google Premium Partner, they implemented innovative campaign format to reach potential supporters across YouTube, Gmail, and Search platforms.
• b2c-mediaminorGTM or Marketing PartnerLong-term pro bono supporter producing radio spots for the organization. Provided free production of the 'Zusammenstehen' radio advertisement.
• Matthias Euler-RolleminorGTM or Marketing PartnerAudio producer who contributed pro bono production of the organization's radio spot.
• Springer & Jacoby ÖsterreichcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCreative agency that co-developed the 'Zusammenstehen für Menschlichkeit' (Standing Together for Humanity) campaign. Worked on campaign platform development to communicate complex topics simply across multiple channels.
• Land SalzburgminorGTM or Marketing PartnerState of Salzburg provides support for water supply project in Busa, working together with Austrian Doctors.
• FAKTcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGerman consulting organization (Stuttgart) that conducts sustainability studies and project evaluations for the organization. Provided evaluations of Derra, Merhabete, Ginde Beret, and Abune Ginde Beret project areas.
• Verein Schule ÄthiopienminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAustrian association that organizes fundraising events (art auctions, cabaret, live podcasts) for school construction in Ethiopia, with Menschen für Menschen implementing the projects.
• Karin WestreicherminorGTM or Marketing PartnerRenowned artist providing artwork for free for the 'Schule Äthiopien' art auction in August 2026, with proceeds supporting school construction.

Scale indicators18 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• CARE Österreich: Austrian arm of the global CARE federation running integrated development programs in Africa with strong focus on women's empowerment. Comparable target region, programmatic pillars, and recurring sponsorship model.
• Ärzte ohne Grenzen / MSF Austria: Austrian fundraising office of MSF running medical humanitarian projects in conflict-affected regions including Ethiopia. Comparable private-donor funding base, Austrian transparency certifications, and on-the-ground Ethiopia presence.
• World Vision Österreich: Austrian arm of World Vision running child sponsorship and community-development programs in Ethiopia. Most directly comparable on sponsorship/patenschaft model and Ethiopian project footprint, though backed by a much larger global federation.
• Caritas Österreich: Largest Austrian charity confederation running international development and humanitarian aid projects funded largely by private donations. Comparable fundraising model, transparency certifications (Spendengütesiegel), and integrated development approach across water, agriculture, health, and education.
• Hilfswerk International: Austrian development NGO implementing long-term projects in Africa and Eastern Europe with focus on water, food security, and education. Operates under similar Austrian regulatory framework and donor base, making it a near-direct peer.
• Licht für die Welt: Austrian nonprofit focused on eye health and inclusive education in developing countries, including Ethiopia. Comparable size, Austrian-HQ, recurring private-donor model, and Ethiopian project footprint; narrower programmatic scope (health/education vs. five pillars).
• SOS Kinderdörfer (SOS Children's Villages) Österreich: Austrian nonprofit supporting children and families in developing regions through long-term community programs. Directly comparable as an Austrian-headquartered development NGO reliant on private donations and offering sponsorship-style recurring giving.

Broad incumbents

• Welthungerhilfe (Deutsche Welthungerhilfe): One of the largest German private development NGOs working on hunger and integrated rural development in Ethiopia and across Africa. Broader geographic and programmatic scale, but overlapping donor base and project methodology (water, agriculture, health).
• Rotes Kreuz Österreich (Austrian Red Cross): Austrian Red Cross runs domestic and international humanitarian programs including disaster response in Ethiopia. Much broader mandate (emergency relief, blood donation) but comparable private-donor and corporate funding base and recognized transparency standards.
• Brot für die Welt (Brot für die Welt Österreich): German/Austrian Protestant development service organization funding long-term partner projects including rural development in Ethiopia. Overlapping integrated development methodology, donor base, and Ethiopian focus.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks4 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/menschenfuermenschen.at
• Instagraminstagram.com/menschenfuermenschen_at
• YouTubeyoutube.com/@menschenfuermenschen
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/menschenfuermenschen

Compliance4 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 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 Menschen für Menschen - Karlheinz Böhms Äthiopienhilfe (Verein in Österreich)