Tearfund Deutschland e.V.

What Tearfund Deutschland e.V. does

Tearfund Deutschland e.V. is a registered German non-profit association (e.V.) headquartered in Berlin that operates as part of the international Tearfund federation, a 50+ year-old Christian humanitarian network. The organization mobilizes private donations, corporate giving, and institutional grants (notably from BMZ and GIZ) to fund humanitarian aid and long-term community development programs in over 50 countries, with priority regions in East Africa, Central Africa, the Middle East, and South Asia. Its core service portfolio spans Nothilfe (humanitarian aid), Friedensförderung (peacebuilding), Ernährungssicherung (food security), WASH (water/sanitation/hygiene), and Hilfe zur Selbsthilfe (self-help support), delivered through approximately 21 active project categories implemented via local partner organizations and churches.

The organization's flagship methodology is Church and Community Transformation (CCT), which uses local churches as embedded 'agents of change' to drive community-led development. A 2022 study quantified a 7x multiplier on invested funds (€1 invested releases €7 in community contributions, generating €211 in social value). Domestically, Tearfund acquires donors and supporters through its website (tearfund.de), HubSpot-powered email automation, a WordPress blog, broad social media presence (Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, TikTok, Snapchat, X/Twitter), the 'Armutsüberwinder' ambassador program, German church network engagement (Gemeinden), and events such as 'Wandern für Wasser'.

Tearfund holds the DZI-Spendensiegel — an independently audited certification confirming responsible use of donations — and publishes a 90/5/5 financial allocation (90% to projects, 5% to admin, 5% reinvested). Technology is non-proprietary and operational (WordPress + Enfold theme, HubSpot marketing automation, CloudFlare CDN, Google Analytics, Hotjar), with no in-house product development. Leadership disclosed in the data is limited; Jelena Scharnowski serves as Head of Communications. The organization reports 17 HQ employees and is funded through individual donations, German government grants, German foundation support, and contributions from Tearfund family members internationally.

Name

Tearfund Deutschland e.V.

Legal name

Tearfund Deutschland e.V.

Website

https://tearfund.de

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Tearfund Deutschland e.V. is a Berlin-based Christian non-profit that mobilizes donations and institutional grants to deliver humanitarian aid, food security, WASH, and peacebuilding programs across 50+ countries through local church and NGO partners, anchored by its Church and Community Transformation methodology.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Humanitarian Aid and International Development Services

NAICS

Emergency and Other Relief Services (624230), Religious, Grantmaking, Civic, Professional, and Similar Organizations (813)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Faith-Based Humanitarian Aid & Relief Ministries (BPAGAJAF)

akta.pro secondary industry

Humanitarian-Development-Peace Nexus & Resilience Programming (BPADAEAK)

Keywords

• Humanitarian aid services
• International development programs
• Community transformation initiatives
• Water sanitation hygiene
• Peacebuilding programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Berlin

HQ country

Germany

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. Individual Donations: Tearfund raises funds from private individuals through one-time donations (Einzelspende), standing orders (Dauerauftrag), fundraising campaigns, and project sponsorships (Projektpatenschaft). The organization markets these donation options through its website, newsletter, and community events.
2. Institutional Grants & Government Funding: Major project funding comes from government bodies (BMZ – Bundesministerium für wirtschaftliche Zusammenarbeit und Entwicklung) and German foundations (e.g., Hoffnungsträger-Merckle-Stiftung, BILD hilft e.V. 'Ein Herz für Kinder'). Additional support is provided by Tearfund family members internationally (e.g., Tearfund Australien).
3. Corporate Giving: Businesses are targeted through a dedicated 'Als Unternehmen spenden' (Corporate giving) program, offering project partnerships and sponsorships.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

Tearfund Deutschland e.V. is a Christian humanitarian aid organization that delivers long-term community development and emergency relief programs in over 50 countries through local partner churches and NGOs. Its portfolio centers on five service lines — humanitarian aid, peacebuilding, food security, WASH (water, sanitation and hygiene), and self-help community empowerment — delivered via the signature Church and Community Transformation (CCT) methodology that mobilizes local churches as embedded change agents.

Product overview

Tearfund Deutschland e.V. is a Christian humanitarian aid organization based in Berlin that operates in over 50 countries through local partner organizations and churches. The organization offers a portfolio of interconnected humanitarian and development services organized around four core thematic areas: Nothilfe (Humanitarian Aid), Friedensförderung (Peacebuilding), Ernährung sichern (Food Security), Wasserversorgung (WASH), and Hilfe zur Selbsthilfe (Self-Help Support). These services are delivered through approximately 21 active project categories spanning emergency response, long-term development, peacebuilding, and community empowerment. The organization's flagship Church and Community Transformation (CCT) methodology works with local churches as agents of change to facilitate community-led development. Projects are implemented across nine geographic priority areas including Yemen (since 1998), Iraq (since 2004), Afghanistan (since 2014), East Africa/Somaliland (since 2004), South Sudan (since 2023), Central African Republic (since 2023), Burundi (since 2024), and East Congo (since 2025).

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Nothilfe (Humanitarian Aid)
• Friedensförderung (Peacebuilding)
• Ernährung sichern (Food Security)
• Wasserversorgung (WASH)
• Hilfe zur Selbsthilfe / Church and Community Transformation (CCT)
• Armutsüberwinder (Poverty Overcomer) Supporter & Ambassador Program
• Corporate Giving Program ("Als Unternehmen spenden")

Quantifiable outcome

• 90% of donations go directly to field projects (verified by DZI-Spendensiegel)
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration17 records

Partnerships

16 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• SafecallcoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerSafecall is Tearfund's independent external whistleblowing and safeguarding reporting service. It operates a 24/7 anonymous hotline (phone and email) for reporting misconduct, safeguarding concerns, or fraud. Safecall is a neutral third-party that ensures confidentiality and independent investigation of reports.
• SozialBankminorOthersTearfund's donation bank account is held at SozialBank (German cooperative bank specializing in social sector organizations). Account details are published on the website for wire transfers.
• Local Partner Organizations in Jordan (12 organizations)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTearfund worked with 12 local partner organizations in Jordan, including neighborhood centers, schools, and churches, to deliver education and family strengthening programs for Syrian refugees and vulnerable Jordanians.
• Church and Community Partners in Burundi (ANGLICAN, Help Channel Burundi, Green Land, Fraternité Évangélique)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTearfund works with 6 local partner organizations in Burundi including: the Anglican Church Network of Burundi (ACEB), Help Channel Burundi, Green Land, and Fraternité Évangélique du Christ en Afrique au Burundi (FECAB). These partners implement Church and Community (CCT) transformation programs.
• Local Partner Organization in AfghanistancoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTearfund's local partner organization in Afghanistan has been implementing emergency relief since September 2025 following the August 2025 earthquake, and continues winter relief assistance to 120 highly vulnerable families.
• Local Christian Partner Organization in CAR (Southwest Region)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIn the Central African Republic, Tearfund works with local Christian partner organizations in the southwest of the country to implement programs focusing on safe water access, food security, and peacebuilding, with particular emphasis on women's empowerment.
• Partner Organizations in YemencoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTearfund has partnered with organizations in Yemen since 1998 in the WASH sector. Partners work with multiple communities in both northwest and southern Yemen, establishing water committees and implementing water, sanitation, and hygiene projects.
• Local Christian Partner Organization in Turkey (Ankara)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTearfund's partner organization in Ankara, Turkey (a Christian organization) implements inclusion programs for children with disabilities and their families, including therapy, classroom accessibility, and family support ('Mercy Teams').
• Partner Organization for Turkey Earthquake ResponsecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerA partner organization implemented earthquake relief in Antakya and Gaziantep, Turkey (2023), supported by World Relief and Tearfund Germany. Activities included rehabilitation center construction, mobile hygiene units, kitchens, and relief supply distribution.
• Local Partner Organizations in Iraq (Northern Iraq)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTearfund's peacebuilding project in Iraq (Northern Iraq) was implemented through local partner organizations that work with youth, religious leaders, and political leaders to promote interfaith and inter-ethnic reconciliation through sports and peacebuilding workshops.
• Partner Organization for Turkey Earthquake Psychological SupportcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal partners in Antakya, Turkey provide professional trauma counseling and psychological support to survivors of the February 2023 earthquake through the 'Healing Hope' team, with qualified psychologists and therapists offering individual and group therapy.
• Diocese of Kajo Keji (South Sudan)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTearfund works with the Diocese of Kajo Keji in South Sudan to enable safe return and peaceful reintegration of refugees. The diocese serves as the local implementing partner for peacebuilding, livelihood support, and community resilience programs in the Kajo Keji region.
• Local Partners in DR Congo and RwandacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTearfund works with partners in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Rwanda to support communities hosting (internal) refugees. Programs strengthen social cohesion, resilience, and peace in conflict-affected border regions, reaching approximately 8,000 people.
• Humedica e.V.minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHumedica e.V. is a German medical humanitarian organization that co-implemented Tearfund's emergency aid projects in East Africa, contributing to water deliveries and cash assistance for food.
• World Evangelical Alliance and Tearfund Family MembersminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerTearfund's East Africa emergency response was co-implemented with the World Evangelical Alliance and other members of the global Tearfund family, including Tearfund Australien, which co-finances Yemen programs.
• Tearfund AustraliencoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTearfund Australien co-finances Tearfund's Yemen programs alongside BMZ and free donations. As a member of the global Tearfund federation, Tearfund Australien provides additional funding and programmatic support.

Scale indicators12 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• action medeor: German medical humanitarian aid NGO providing pharmaceutical relief and health programs in developing countries. Comparable as a smaller, faith-rooted German humanitarian NGO relying on donations and institutional co-financing.
• Oxfam Germany: German arm of Oxfam, raising funds in Germany for international development, humanitarian relief, and advocacy. Comparable on donation-driven fundraising model and multi-country development/humanitarian portfolio, though secular rather than faith-rooted.
• World Vision Germany: German arm of a major Christian child-sponsorship and development NGO. Directly comparable as a faith-rooted humanitarian/development organization raising funds from German donors for multi-country programs, with similar DZI seal, donation-portal model, and project-sponsorship mechanics.
• Malteser International: German Catholic humanitarian aid organization of the Sovereign Order of Malta, active in emergency relief, WASH, and health across conflict and fragile states. Comparable on faith-based German identity, multi-country emergency and development portfolio, and BMZ co-financing.
• Diakonie Katastrophenhilfe: German Protestant humanitarian aid agency funding emergency relief, WASH, food security and reconstruction through church partner networks abroad. Direct peer on faith-based identity, donor geography (Germany), and humanitarian + WASH thematic focus.
• World Relief Germany: German entity of World Relief, a Christian humanitarian organization that has co-financed Tearfund projects (e.g., Turkey earthquake response). Directly comparable on faith identity, BMZ-style institutional co-financing, and emergency/development portfolio.
• Humedica e.V. German Christian medical humanitarian organization co-implementing Tearfund's East Africa emergency response. Comparable as a smaller faith-rooted German humanitarian NGO, but with a tighter medical/health focus than Tearfund.
• Caritas international (Germany): German Catholic humanitarian aid and development agency. Comparable on faith-based identity, German-donor fundraising, multi-country humanitarian relief, and partnership-based delivery model.
• Brot für die Welt (Evangelical Development Service): German Protestant development and humanitarian relief organization of the Evangelical Church in Germany (EKD). Comparable on faith-based positioning, German-donor fundraising model, multi-country development programs, and DZI-style transparency.

Broad incumbents

• Deutsche Welthungerhilfe: One of Germany's largest private aid organizations, focused on food security, WASH, and rural development across many countries. Comparable on German donor base and BMZ funding, though secular and broader in mandate than Tearfund's faith-rooted community-empowerment model.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCLnJF2lczb731VC24shST7g?view_as=subscriber
• Facebookfacebook.com/tearfund.deutschland
• Instagraminstagram.com/tearfunddeutschland
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/tearfund-deutschland-e-v

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Tearfund Deutschland e.V.