WICHERN

What WICHERN does

Diakonie Dortmund und Lünen gGmbH (operating as WICHERN / diakoniedortmund.de) is a non-profit welfare organization (gemeinnützige GmbH) structured as the regional social welfare arm of the Protestant Church (Evangelischer Kirchenkreis Dortmund) in the Dortmund/Lünen area of North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. The organization delivered services across 34 working areas with 1,021 employees and approximately 550 volunteers, organized into seven primary service lines: general counseling and help (Sozialberatung, Schuldner- und Insolvenzberatung, Suchtberatung, Seelenpflaster for children of mentally ill parents); senior care and hospice (Ambulante Pflege across six Diakoniestationen, Tagespflege, Service-Wohnen at eight locations, Ambulanter Hospizdienst, four stationary care homes under Diakonische Altenhilfe Dortmund und Lünen); children, youth and family services (Johannes Falk residential groups, school social work at 11 schools, Frühförderzentrum, flexible assistance, Do it! volunteer guardianship); addiction and homeless support; vocational integration; migration and integration (MBE and regional refugee counseling funded by BAMF); and assistance/rehabilitation. The organization holds no proprietary technology and operates a standard web stack (TYPO3 CMS, Matomo analytics, Google Maps, social media integrations, fundraisingbox donation processing, and DigiSucht for online addiction counseling).

The business model is a hybrid of public contracting and charitable funding. Primary revenue derives from German social legislation contracts (SGB II, III, VIII, XI, XII) with municipalities, the state of NRW, and federal entities (BAMF, BMI). Church contributions from the Evangelischer Kirchenkreis Dortmund and tax-deductible donations (via fundraisingbox, direct mail, and project-specific fundraising) provide secondary funding. The senior day care product is priced at 40 EUR per day, often billable to long-term care insurance (Pflegekasse) for users with a Pflegegrad; most counseling services are free to end users. Go-to-market is referral-driven: clients are directed by Jugendamt, Jobcenter, hospitals, schools, doctors, and Protestant church congregations rather than acquired through commercial sales. The organization is operationally active with no external investors, no funding rounds, and no disclosed M&A activity; legal entity is Diakonisches Werk Dortmund und Lünen gGmbH, headquartered at Kronprinzenstraße 62-66, 44135 Dortmund.

Name

WICHERN

Legal name

Diakonisches Werk Dortmund und Lünen gGmbH

Website

https://wichern.net

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Diakonie Dortmund und Lünen is a non-profit Protestant Church welfare organization in Germany providing counseling, senior care, youth welfare, addiction, and migration services across 34 areas with 1,021 employees and 550 volunteers in the Dortmund region.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Social Welfare Services

NAICS

Services for the Elderly and Persons with Disabilities (62412), Other Individual and Family Services (62419), Other Residential Care Facilities (6239), Community Housing Services (62422)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Nursing & Personal Care Facilities (8050), Services-Home Health Care Services (8082)

akta.pro primary industry

Community Resources, Social Services & Transportation Coordination (HLADALAK)

akta.pro secondary industries

Medical Adult Day Health Centers (ADHC) (HLADAIAA), Skilled Home Health Aide Services (HHA/CNA under Skilled Plan of Care) (HLADAFAF), In-Home Hospice Nursing Visits (RN/LPN) (HSABAFAL), Family Caregiver Coaching, Education & Support (HSABAIAI), Housing Assistance & Homeless Services (BPAGAEAB)

Keywords

• Social welfare services
• Elderly care services
• Addiction counseling services
• Migration counseling services
• Youth welfare services

Headquarters

HQ city

Dortmund

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices9 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Government Social Services Funding (SGB): Primary revenue from statutory social insurance (Sozialversicherung) and social welfare legislation (SGB II, III, VIII, XI, XII) - government contracts for counseling, care, youth welfare, migration services. Services are funded based on benefit agreements with municipalities, states, and federal government.
2. Donations and Fundraising: Private donations from individuals, church members, and corporate donors. Fundraising activities include direct mail, online donations, and specific project funding. Donations are tax-deductible.
3. Church Contributions: Diakonie is the welfare organization of the Protestant Church (Evangelische Kirche). Receives support from church budgets and the regional church council.
4. Social Counseling Services: Various free counseling services (Schuldnerberatung, Suchtberatung, Migrationsberatung, Sozialberatung) funded by city of Dortmund, state NRW, and Protestant church congregations.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

WICHERN (operating as Diakonie Dortmund und Lünen) is a non-profit social welfare organization providing counseling, care, and support services across the Dortmund and Lünen region of Germany. Its core offerings span outpatient nursing care (six district nursing stations), senior day care, assisted living, hospice services, four stationary care homes, debt and addiction counseling, migration and refugee counseling, youth residential care, school social work, and vocational integration programs. Services are delivered directly by approximately 1,021 employees and 550 volunteers, funded through government SGB contracts, donations, and church contributions.

Product overview

WICHERN operates as a comprehensive social welfare organization offering a diverse portfolio of counseling, care, and support services. The core offering is organized around seven main service categories: (1) Counseling and Help (Beratung und Hilfe), including social counseling, debt/insolvency counseling, addiction counseling, and the Seelenpflaster program for children of mentally ill parents; (2) Seniors, Care and Hospice (Senioren, Pflege und Hospizdienst), comprising outpatient care (Ambulante Pflege), day care (Tagespflege), service living (Service-Wohnen) at eight locations, outpatient hospice services, senior information offices, dementia shared living communities, and four stationary care facilities under Diakonische Altenhilfe; (3) Children, Youth and Family (Kinder, Jugend und Familie), including the Johannes Falk Youth Welfare Center with residential groups, school social work, early intervention center, flexible assistance programs, and the Do it! voluntary guardianship project; (4) Addiction and Homeless Help; (5) Vocational Integration; (6) Migration and Integration, with migration counseling and refugee counseling services; and (7) Assistance and Rehabilitation. The Begegnung VorOrt program also supports senior community activities across Dortmund neighborhoods.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Ambulante Pflege (Diakonische Pflege Dortmund) Outpatient nursing care provided through six Diakoniestationen across Dortmund, offering basic care, treatment care, household support, and consultation services for people who wish to age at home. Operated by Diakonische Pflege Dortmund gGmbH.
• Tagespflege (Senior Day Care) Day care facilities for seniors who require care but wish to continue living at home, providing relief for family caregivers while offering active and varied programs for guests.
• Service-Wohnen (Assisted Living) Senior living apartments with integrated support services at eight locations across Dortmund, offering barrier-free housing with counseling, assistance, and connections to care services.
• Ambulanter Hospizdienst (Outpatient Hospice Service) Outpatient hospice service providing accompaniment for seriously ill individuals and their families, offering regular visits, conversations, and daily life relief through approximately 80 trained volunteers.
• Seniorenbüros (Senior Information Offices) Senior information and counseling offices in partnership with the city of Dortmund, providing free advice on elderly care, local services, and support options.
• Demenz-Wohngemeinschaften (Dementia Shared Living) Shared living communities for people with dementia offering private living spaces with 24-hour care, barrier-free facilities, and specialized support.
• Stationäre Pflege (Diakonische Altenhilfe — Residential Care Homes) Four modern senior homes in Dortmund, Lünen, and Kamen providing full residential care: Fritz-Heuner-Heim (Dortmund-Barop), Der Gute Hirte (Dortmund), Ev. Altenzentrum Lünen, and Residenz Heeren-Werve (Kamen).
• Sozialberatung und Energiehilfen (Social Counseling and Energy Assistance) Social counseling services offering free advice on general life issues, personal problems, livelihood security, and energy assistance through church emergency funds.
• Schuldner- und Insolvenzberatung (Debt and Insolvency Counseling) Debt and insolvency counseling services helping individuals manage debt, create budget plans, negotiate settlements, and navigate insolvency proceedings; includes P-Konto certification.
• Fachstelle Sucht (Addiction Counseling Center) Addiction counseling center offering consultation, outpatient rehabilitation, aftercare, family support, and prevention programs including HaLT and MOVE for youth.
• Migrationsberatung für erwachsene Zuwanderer (MBE) Migration counseling for adult immigrants aged 28 and older, providing advice on German language learning, education, employment, finances, health, and residence matters.
• Regionale Beratung für Geflüchtete (Regional Refugee Counseling) Regional counseling for refugees providing information on asylum procedures, residence rights, social benefits, health, education, and support for self-help.
• Seelenpflaster (Children of Mentally Ill Parents Support Program) Support program for children and adolescents of parents with mental health issues, offering individual and group counseling, parent support, and professional networking.
• Frühförderzentrum (Early Intervention Center) Early intervention center for children with developmental delays or disabilities, providing interdisciplinary services including speech therapy, occupational therapy, physiotherapy, and family counseling.
• Schulsozialarbeit (School Social Work)

Named customers5 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles6 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration7 records

Partnerships

17 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Johanniter-Unfall-Hilfe e.V., Regionalverband Östliches RuhrgebietcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 26 May 2026Cooperation between Diakonie Dortmund und Lünen and Johanniter-Unfall-Hilfe e.V. for joint provision of care and support for people in need of care in Dortmund. This represents a strategic partnership combining the strengths of two major welfare organizations.
• gezeiten - Zentrum für Hospiz-, Palliativ- und Trauerbegleitung DortmundcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAmbulanter Hospizdienst is part of gezeiten, the center for hospice, palliative, and grief counseling Dortmund. Network of various cooperating services for end-of-life care.
• Palliativ- und Hospiznetz DortmundcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAmbulanter Hospizdienst is a partner in the Palliative and Hospice Network Dortmund (PHN), coordinating hospice and palliative care services.
• Arbeitskreis Suchtgefahren im Betrieb (AK SiB)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCooperation with Industry and Commerce Chamber (IHK) Dortmund and about 70 member companies to address workplace addiction issues. Diakonie Fachstelle Sucht coordinates this network of large, medium, and small businesses, counseling centers, health insurance companies, and self-help groups.
• Industrie- und Handelskammer zu DortmundminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorJoint coordination of Arbeitskreis Suchtgefahren im Betrieb (AK SiB) - workplace addiction prevention network covering companies in Dortmund, Lünen, and Hamm region.
• Deutsche Hauptstelle für Suchtfragen (DHS) in HammminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDHS provides statistics and expertise on addiction issues; Diakonie participates in DHS network activities and uses their resources for workplace prevention.
• gws-Service Dortmund-Süd mbHminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorHousing partner for Service-Wohnen at Virchowstraße location. gws handles rental agreements while Diakonie provides support services.
• Spar- und Bauverein eGminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorHousing cooperative partner for Service-Wohnen at Bauerstraße. Spar- und Bauverein handles housing units while Diakonie provides social services.
• Freundlieb Immobilien Management GmbHminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorProperty management partner for Service-Wohnen at Clarissenhof location.
• Evangelischer Kirchenkreis DortmundcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDiakonie is part of the Evangelischer Kirchenkreis Dortmund (Protestant Church District). The church provides funding, governance oversight, and is the founding organization behind Diakonie.
• Bundesamt für Migration und Flüchtlinge (BAMF)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFunded by BAMF for migration counseling services (MBE - Migrationsberatung für erwachsene Zuwanderer).
• Bundesministerium des Innern (BMI)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner for integration services. BMI funding for migration counseling programs.
• Stadt DortmundcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFunded by city of Dortmund for debt counseling services.
• Land Nordrhein-WestfalencoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRecognized by state NRW as official insolvency counseling provider. Funded for debt counseling services.
• Evangelische Kirchengemeinden DortmundminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAdditional funding from Protestant church congregations in Dortmund for debt counseling services.
• Stadt DortmundcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBegegnung VorOrt project is funded by the city of Dortmund as part of welfare association projects (gefördertes Projekt der Wohlfahrtsverbände).
• Stadt Dortmund - Amt für Migration und FlüchtlingsangelegenheitencoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerReferral partner for regional refugee counseling. Also funded by city for counseling services.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Regional players

• Diakonie München: Sister Diakonie regional organization serving the Munich metropolitan area with comparable service portfolio (counseling, senior care, youth welfare). Same brand and operating model but different geography.
• Arbeiter-Samariter-Bund (ASB) NRW: Workers' Samaritan Federation operating in NRW with parallel ambulatory care, senior services, and social welfare programs. Comparable service mix with regional NRW focus.

Direct peers

• AWO Unterbezirk Dortmund: Workers' Welfare Association (Arbeiterwohlfahrt) regional chapter — another major Wohlfahrtsverband delivering senior care, youth welfare, and counseling services in the same geography with comparable SGB funding model.
• Caritasverband Dortmund: Catholic parallel welfare organization operating in the same Dortmund region with overlapping services (senior care, counseling, youth welfare, migration). The closest direct competitor given parallel service lines and funding structure.
• Johanniter-Unfall-Hilfe e.V. Major German welfare organization with overlapping care, hospice, and ambulatory services; recently signed strategic partnership with Diakonie Dortmund, making it both peer and partner in elderly care.
• Deutsches Rotes Kreuz (DRK) Dortmund: German Red Cross regional chapter offering parallel ambulatory care, senior services, and social counseling in the Dortmund region. Comparable in service mix and government funding model.

Emerging players

• Volkssolidarität Dortmund: Smaller welfare association focused on senior services, social counseling, and member-based mutual aid in eastern Germany with regional Dortmund presence. Partial overlap in senior care and social services.

Broad incumbents

• Diakonie Deutschland: National umbrella federation of Diakonie welfare organizations. Directly comparable as the parent body overseeing regional Diakonie entities including Diakonie Dortmund, with shared brand, mission, and accreditation framework.
• Paritätischer Wohlfahrtsverband NRW: Umbrella organization for non-confessional welfare providers in NRW, coordinating members delivering overlapping social services. Comparable as a funder/aggregator of social welfare services in the same region.
• Malteser Hilfsdienst e.V. National Catholic-order welfare organization providing hospice, ambulatory care, and social services. Comparable in elder care and hospice offerings; broader geographic footprint than Diakonie Dortmund.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/diakoniedortmund
• Facebookfacebook.com/diakoniedortmund
• Instagraminstagram.com/diakoniedo
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/wichern

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Subsidiaries5 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 WICHERN