Stiftung Marburger Medien

What Stiftung Marburger Medien does

Stiftung Marburger Medien is a German nonprofit foundation (Stiftung) founded in 1943 and headquartered in Marburg, Germany, that develops and distributes Christian print and digital media for outreach and faith communication. Its core product portfolio spans ten categories including greeting cards (Karten/KartenPlus), creative items (Kreatives), flyers and series, brochures and magazines (Hefte & Magazine), books (Bücher) including children's Bible editions, digital audio/video media, calendars, posters and banners, and presentation materials, all organized around a taxonomy of life themes, annual occasions, and life events. The foundation operates three sub-brands — gott.net, gemeinde.media, and momente.media — and co-publishes flagship products with SCM-Verlag, Deutsche Bibelgesellschaft, Liebenzeller Mission, and Bibellesebund.

The organization runs a hybrid distribution model combining a 24/7 e-commerce shop (shop.marburger-medien.de) with a field sales network of regional managers (Gebietsleiter) who personally visit churches across German territories, supplemented by telephone, mail, and fax ordering. Customer segments include Protestant and interdenominational churches, religious education institutions, individual believers, and children/families, with products used for worship services, pastoral care, children's ministry, and community outreach. Underlying technology is a standard e-commerce platform hosted by Hetzner Online, with no disclosed APIs, mobile applications, or AI/ML capabilities.

The business model operates two parallel arms: an Ideeller Betrieb that distributes products free of charge under a solidarity principle financed by donations from a community of supporters that has sustained the foundation for over 80 years, and a commercial Geschäftsbetrieb that sells products at standard retail prices under standard 14-day payment terms. Additional revenue comes from bequests and endowments (Erbschaften/Zustiftungen). Pricing is not publicly disclosed. The foundation is governed by a board of directors and led by Geschäftsführer Karsten Hüttmann, has no parent company or subsidiaries, operates with 1-10 employees, and confines its operations to Germany.

Name

Stiftung Marburger Medien

Legal name

Stiftung Marburger Medien

Website

https://marburger-medien.de

Company type

Private

Founded year

1943

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Stiftung Marburger Medien is a German nonprofit foundation, founded in 1943 and headquartered in Marburg, that develops and distributes Christian print and digital media products to Protestant churches, religious educators, and individual believers across Germany through e-commerce, a regional field-sales network, and donation-funded free distribution.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Religious Publishing

NAICS

Book Publishers (513130), Periodical Publishers (51312), Newspaper, Periodical, Book, and Directory Publishers (5131)

SIC

Greeting Cards (2771), Books: Publishing Or Publishing & Printing (2731)

akta.pro primary industry

Devotional & Prayer Publishing (Devotionals, Prayer Books, Meditation Guides) (MPAJAHAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Religious Education & Catechetical Publishing (Sunday School, Catechism, Study Guides) (MPAJAHAC), Worship & Liturgy Publishing (Liturgical Texts, Missals, Service Books, Hymnals) (MPAJAHAE), Sermon, Homiletics & Ministry Resource Publishing (Preaching Aids, Pastoral Resources) (MPAJAHAD)

Keywords

• Christian media publishing
• Religious greeting cards
• Church outreach materials
• Faith-based print media
• Christian educational resources

Headquarters

HQ city

Marburg

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Donations and Charitable Contributions: The foundation's primary funding source is donations from supporters. A solidarity community of friends, partners, and customers has supported the organization for over 80 years, enabling media to be provided even to those who cannot financially contribute.
2. Product Sales (Geschäftsbetrieb): Sale of Christian media products through an e-commerce shop, telephone, written, and fax orders. Products include cards, books, flyers, calendars, creative items, and digital media. Operated as a commercial business arm separate from the charitable distribution model.
3. Bequests and Endowments: Estate gifts and endowments (Erbschaften or Zustiftungen) are accepted to secure the long-term future of the foundation.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Stiftung Marburger Medien publishes and sells a comprehensive catalog of Christian print and digital media products — including greeting cards, books, brochures, flyers, calendars, creative items, posters, banners, and digital media — for use in worship, pastoral care, religious education, and faith-sharing. The organization distributes products through its own online shop, telephone and mail orders, and a network of regional field managers who visit churches across Germany, operating under both a donation-funded solidarity distribution model and a standard commercial sales model.

Product overview

Stiftung Marburger Medien operates a multi-format Christian media portfolio centered on making faith visible. The organization offers physical media products across ten product categories: Karten/KartenPlus (greeting cards including perforated cards, heart-cards, and gift-holder cards), Kreatives (creative items such as bookmarks, metal clips, bracelets, stickers, balloons, napkins, and children's crafts), Flyer & Serien (flyers and event booklets), Hefte & Magazine (brochures, devotionals, and themed booklets), Bücher (books including children's Bible editions), Digitale Medien (audio and video recordings), Kalender, Plakate & Banner, and Präsentationsmittel (presentation materials). The portfolio is organized around life occasions and themes (Themen des Lebens, Anlässe des Jahres, Anlässe des Lebens) and includes branded initiatives such as gott.net, gemeinde.media, and momente.media. Products are distributed through an online shop, telephone, written orders, and fax, with two business models: an idealistic foundation model (solidarity principle, free distribution) and a commercial sales model (purchase contracts).

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• gott.net: Christian media campaign platform - 'Gott spricht. Heute.' (God speaks. Today.)
• momente.media
• gemeinde.media
• gemeinde.media

Products and services

• Karten/KartenPlus (Greeting Cards) Greeting cards in various formats including perforated cards (Postkarten), heart-shaped cards, and cards with slots for small gifts, covering occasions such as gratitude, birthdays, encouragement, and Christian holidays. Sold to churches, individuals, and families for faith-sharing and gift-giving.
• Kreatives (Creative Items) Creative items including bookmarks, cloth bags, metal clips, bracelets, stickers, balloons, napkins, and children's craft sheets, often featuring Bible verses and faith messages. Designed for children's ministry, Sunday school, and personal faith-sharing.
• Flyer & Serien (Flyers and Series) Flyers and series products including event pamphlets, fan booklets for sports events, and themed media series for various occasions such as the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
• Hefte & Magazine (Brochures and Magazines) Brochures, magazines, and periodicals including devotionals, themed booklets on topics like faith, encouragement, grief, and identity, as well as children's publications.
• Bücher (Books) Books including children's Bible editions adapted for young readers (such as the Gospel of Luke for children), and special editions for people with dementia. Published in cooperation with SCM-Verlag, Liebenzeller Mission, Bibellesebund, and Deutsche Bibelgesellschaft.
• Digitale Medien (Digital Media) Digital media products including audio recordings and video content for faith education and inspiration.
• Kalender (Calendars) Calendars for various purposes and occasions with Christian themes.
• Plakate & Banner (Posters and Banners) Posters and banners for church events, faith campaigns, and community outreach.
• Präsentationsmittel (Presentation Materials) Presentation materials for church services and community events.
• gott.net (Faith Campaign Brand) Faith campaign brand featuring products such as 0-Euro notes, greeting cards, small gifts, posters, and SMSvonGott messaging service, centered on the message 'Gott spricht. Heute.' (God speaks. Today.). Includes the gemeinde.media and momente.media digital platforms.
• gemeinde.media Digital platform providing media resources for church communities, complementing the physical product portfolio with online-accessible resources.
• momente.media Digital media platform associated with the foundation's media offerings, providing content for various life occasions and themes.
• Jesus begegnen – Geschichten aus dem Lukas-Evangelium, die bleiben New Bible edition designed for people with early-stage dementia, featuring stories from the Gospel of Luke in accessible language.
• Fußball-Fanheft "Toooor!" Fan booklet to help engage football enthusiasts with faith conversations during the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
• Auf dem Weg zum Titel – Spielplan zur WM 26 Game schedule product themed around the 2026 FIFA World Cup for sports events and faith engagement.
• Abflug New media product for mobile and travel occasions.
• Komm mal mit - Kirche unterwegs Church outreach media for mobile and travel occasions.
• Du bist unentBEERlich (mit Himbeer-Bonbon) Greeting card with raspberry candy, suitable as a small thank-you gift.

Named customers3 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• schüler_SMDminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-development partnership for the 'Ich bin dabei. Gott' fabric wristband product (KT174), targeting students and youth with Christian message bracelets.
• SCM-VerlagcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-publishing partner for the children's Bible 'Lukas-Evangelium für Kinder' (BU040). The SCM-Verlag is a major Christian publishing house in Germany.
• Liebenzeller MissioncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCooperation partner in developing the Lukas-Evangelium für Kinder, a child-friendly Bible translation project.
• BibellesebundcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCooperation partner in developing the Lukas-Evangelium für Kinder, contributing to Bible reading engagement among children.
• Deutsche BibelgesellschaftcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in developing the Lukas-Evangelium für Kinder. The German Bible Society is the official Bible publishing authority in Germany.

Scale indicators1 record

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Christliche Verlagsgesellschaft Dillenburg: German Christian publishing house specializing in evangelical books, devotionals, and church resources. Direct peer in religious book and devotional publishing with overlapping customer segments.
• Deutsche Bibelgesellschaft: Official German Bible Society and the primary publisher of Bible translations in Germany. Co-publishes Bible products with Marburger Medien and competes in the religious book and educational publishing market.
• SCM Verlag: One of Germany's largest Christian publishers, producing books, music, and media across Protestant and ecumenical audiences. Direct co-publishing partner of Marburger Medien on the children's Bible and a natural competitor in the religious media space.
• Liebenzeller Mission: German evangelical mission and publishing organization producing devotional and educational Christian content. Co-development partner on children's Bible and a peer in mission-driven Christian media production.
• Brunnen Verlag: German Christian publisher producing books, devotionals, calendars, and media for evangelical and Protestant audiences. Direct competitor in greeting cards, calendars, and devotional content.
• Bibellesebund: German evangelical organization promoting Bible reading through publications, courses, and media. Cooperates with Marburger Medien on children's Bible products and overlaps in religious education publishing.

Broad incumbents

• Herder Verlag: Major German Catholic publisher with broad religious book, devotional, and calendar portfolio. Comparable scope of religious publishing with denominationally different but adjacent target audience.
• Gütersloher Verlagshaus: Protestant publishing imprint within the Random House Germany group, producing theological books, devotionals, and religious education materials. Broad incumbent with overlapping product categories.
• Verlagsgruppe Patmos: German publishing group operating multiple religious imprints (Patmos, Schwabenverlag, Alb-Verlag). Comparable in producing faith-based books, greeting cards, calendars, and devotionals for the German-speaking Christian market.

Emerging players

• Vier-Türme-Verlag: Benedictine-affiliated German publisher producing devotionals, spiritual books, and media products with ecumenical appeal. Comparable niche in faith-based publishing with emphasis on spiritual/meditation content.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/marburgermedien
• Facebookfacebook.com/marburgermedien
• Instagraminstagram.com/marburgermedien
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/stiftung-marburger-medien

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 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 Stiftung Marburger Medien