Stiftung Joel Kinderspitex, Schweiz

What Stiftung Joel Kinderspitex, Schweiz does

Stiftung Joël Kinderspitex, Schweiz is a Swiss nonprofit foundation (Stiftung) founded in 1990 in Aarau by Verena Mühlemann-Burach in memory of her son Joël, making it the first and largest dedicated pediatric home-care (Kinderspitex) organization in Switzerland. It provides professional, family-centered home nursing for infants, children, adolescents, and young adults with serious illness or disability — covering general and somatic nursing, psychiatric-pediatric care, palliative care, hospital accompaniment, and weekend respite through the WG Kunterbunt program. Care is delivered by over 290 specialized nursing staff (all trained in pediatric or psychiatric nursing) across five regional offices covering all German-speaking cantons, parts of Romandie, and the Principality of Liechtenstein, at approximately 100,000 hours of care per year. The technology stack is operationally oriented rather than product-oriented: tablet-based electronic care documentation (e-care, 20-year retention), Microsoft Teams for client-staff chat, and digital care planning/quality management systems support the Bezugspersonensystem (key-person) continuity model.

Revenue is pluralistic and not publicly disclosed. The primary funding stream is direct billing of mandatory health insurance (Krankenkasse — tariffsuisse, HSK, CSS) and disability insurance (IV, under Art. 14 IVG) for medical care measures, intermediated through the foundation's membership in Spitex Verband Schweiz and a Foundation Council (Stiftungsrat) supervised by the federal EDI. When insurance or government sources do not cover necessary services — relief services, psycho-pediatric care, hospital accompaniment, vacation care, sibling support — gaps are filled by donations funneled through the Gönnerverein (which has raised over CHF 2.4M cumulatively), legacies, and revenue from branded merchandise (the Arci mascot line) and optional tablet rental (~CHF 40/month). The foundation is governed by a Stiftungsrat chaired by Julia Gschwend (since March 2024), with operational leadership from Geschäftsführer Franz Elmer, and supports a high-profile ambassador program anchored by FC Aarau and a paralympic athlete.

Name

Stiftung Joel Kinderspitex, Schweiz

Legal name

Stiftung Joël Kinderspitex, Schweiz

Website

https://joel-kinderspitex.ch

Company type

Private

Founded year

1990

Operating status

Operating

Short description

Stiftung Joël Kinderspitex, Schweiz is the oldest and largest nonprofit pediatric home-nursing foundation in Switzerland, delivering ~100,000 hours/year of specialized care across five regional offices to seriously ill and disabled children, funded by health/disability insurance and donations.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Pediatric Home Nursing Services

NAICS

Home Health Care Services (62161), Services for the Elderly and Persons with Disabilities (62412), Other Residential Care Facilities (6239)

SIC

Services-Home Health Care Services (8082)

akta.pro primary industry

Pediatric Hospice & Palliative In-Home Care (HSABAFAE)

akta.pro secondary industries

Respite Care for Families of Children with Disabilities (HSAAAIAL), Continuous Home Care (Crisis Hospice) (HSABAFAB), Short-Term & Temporary 24/7 In-Home Care (Bridge Coverage) (HSABAHAI)

Keywords

• Pediatric home nursing
• Respite care services
• Palliative care services
• Special needs support
• Nonprofit healthcare

Headquarters

HQ city

Aarau

HQ country

Switzerland

HQ region

Europe

Offices7 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Health Insurance Reimbursement (Krankenkasse): The foundation is a member of Spitex Verband Schweiz and has an administrative contract with tariffsuisse ag, Einkaufsgemeinschaft HSK, and CSS Krankenversicherung. Insurance pays directly; clients pay a maximum annual deductible of 10% and the chosen franchise. After age 18, patients pay the legally required patient contribution per care day.
2. Disability Insurance Reimbursement (IV): The foundation pre-finances staff wages and bills directly with the IV (disability insurance) office. This covers medical care measures under Art. 14 IVG. The foundation advises families during benefits reviews by IV.
3. Donations and Charitable Contributions: When insurance (health or disability) and municipalities/cantons do not cover necessary care costs, these are covered by donations from private individuals, foundations, parishes, and companies. Donation-funded offerings include relief services, psycho-pediatric care, hospital accompaniment, vacation care, and sibling support.
4. Merchandise Shop (Webshop): Online shop selling branded merchandise including Arci plush toys, Arci caps, Arci keychains, and other branded items. Proceeds support foundation operations.
5. Tablet Rental: Families can optionally rent a tablet for around CHF 40.00 per month (self-cost, 2-year contract) for access to their client documentation via a personal PIN and their own Wi-Fi.
6. Legacies and Bequests: The foundation offers a testament guide allowing supporters to include the foundation in their wills, with bequests used entirely for care and support of seriously ill and disabled children.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

Stiftung Joël Kinderspitex provides professional, individualized pediatric home nursing care for infants, children, adolescents, and young adults with disabilities or severe illness. Services are delivered at home, in residential care, and at school, covering general nursing, psychiatric pediatric care, and palliative care, plus the donation-funded WG Kunterbunt weekend/holiday respite program. Financing flows from mandatory health insurance and Swiss disability insurance (IV), with gaps filled through donations.

Product overview

Stiftung Joël Kinderspitex is a pediatric home nursing foundation offering a portfolio of care and support services primarily in German-speaking Switzerland and parts of Romandie. The core offering is professional home-based nursing care (Kinderhospital zu Hause) for children with disabilities or serious illnesses, encompassing general nursing, psychiatric pediatric care, and palliative care. This is supplemented by the WG Kunterbunt weekend respite program across multiple regions, and complemented by a Webshop for merchandise and donations, the Testamentratgeber information service, and branded products centered around the mascot Arci. The foundation operates five regional offices and employs over 290 staff, with care financed primarily through health insurance and disability insurance, supplemented by donations.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• WG Kunterbunt: A respite care program where children with special needs are cared for over extended weekends and holidays by experienced nursing staff in a shared living setting (Wohngemeinschaft/flat). Currently operating in St. Gallen, Schaffhausen, and Lucerne.
• Arci
• Gönnerverein Kinderspitex Joël Mühlemann

Products and services

• Pediatric Home Nursing Care Professional home-based nursing care for infants, children, adolescents, and young adults with illnesses or disabilities. Includes medical care, support, and family counseling delivered at home, in care homes, and at schools. Services include general care, somatic care, family-centered care, basal stimulation, post-operative care, and pediatric palliative care.
• Psychiatric Pediatric Care (Psychopädiatrische Pflege) Specialized psychiatric pediatric care delivered by specially trained staff, providing psychological support to children and families dealing with serious illness or end-of-life situations.
• Pediatric Palliative Care Pediatric palliative care for children in end-of-life phases, delivered in cooperation with the Pediatric Palliative Care Network (PPCN), with ongoing family support continuing beyond the death of a child.
• WG Kunterbunt (Respite Care Program) Donation-funded respite care program where children with special needs are cared for by experienced nursing staff over weekends and holidays in shared living accommodations, allowing parents to rest and spend time with healthy siblings. Currently operating in St. Gallen, Schaffhausen, and Lucerne.
• Testamentratgeber (Testament Guide) A 12-page downloadable guide explaining how to create a will, covering inheritance law, protected heirs, and free quota, available for individuals wishing to include the foundation in their testament through legacies and bequests.
• Online Webshop for Branded Merchandise Online shop selling Arci branded merchandise including Arci plush toys, Arci caps, Arci keychains, and other items supporting the foundation's work. Proceeds support foundation operations.

Quantifiable outcome

• Approximately 100,000 hours of care delivered annually
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers8 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration1 record

Feature4 records

Partnerships

25 partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Arci (Chameleon Mascot)minorOthers · 25 August 2025Named from 'Arcobaleno' (Italian for rainbow), this colorful chameleon mascot was introduced for the 35th anniversary in 2025. It accompanies children and nursing staff through daily life, symbolizing hope, empathy, and child-appropriate resilience. Available as plush toys, caps, and keychains.
• Aargau HalbmarathonminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 13 November 2024Official charity partner of the Aargau Halbmarathon. Foundation staff participate and the foundation runs an information booth at the event. Ambassador Olivier Jäckle holds a autograph session.
• FC AarauminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 5 June 2023FC Aarau supports the foundation as a sports partner. Captain Olivier Jäckle also serves as an official ambassador for the foundation. The club supports fundraising and awareness campaigns.
• Stiftung Rodtegg (Privatschule Rodtegg)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 2 June 2023Partnership with Stiftung Rodtegg in Luzern to host the third WG Kunterbunt location in the premises of the private school. The foundation provides care staff while Rodtegg provides the facilities.
• MELOKI GmbHminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 March 2022MELOKI is a textile and fashion company that supports the foundation. It organized a drawing competition for children, with 20% of proceeds from each T-shirt sold donated to the foundation. MELOKI also sells merchandise featuring winning artwork.
• FC ZürichminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 22 September 2021FC Zürich supports the foundation with communication services and fundraising efforts. This is part of the organization's community and social responsibility initiatives.
• TopCCminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 15 July 2021TopCC is a Cash & Carry pickup market with eleven locations in German-speaking Switzerland. Supporters can order a free TopCC shopping card (code VM1102) and new customers receive two vouchers worth CHF 10.00 each. Each purchase counts toward the foundation's rebate-eligible total sales, providing ongoing financial support.
• Pfadi Phoenix NiederamtminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 16 January 2020Youth organization that raised CHF 650 for the foundation through a 72-hour charitable action in January 2020.
• Christa RigozziminorGTM or Marketing PartnerFormer Miss Switzerland who provides the voice for the foundation's children's story featuring mascot Arci. She also serves as godmother (Gotte) for Arci.
• DICOTA SCHWEIZ AGminorGTM or Marketing PartnerDICOTA SCHWEIZ AG donated employee backpacks to the foundation's staff in 2022.
• SH POWERminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSH POWER supports the WG Kunterbunt in Schaffhausen.
• Tamina ThermeminorGTM or Marketing PartnerTamina Therme in Bad Ragaz collected donations for the foundation throughout December 2021, raising over CHF 2,800.
• Gönnerverein Kinderspitex Joël MühlemannminorGTM or Marketing PartnerFounded nearly 20 years ago to address funding gaps not covered by care reimbursements. Raised over CHF 2.4 million in nearly 20 years. New board (Claudia Zängerle, Sabrina Saputelli, Simon Fuchser) took over in May 2025 from long-serving board. Supports the foundation's operations with donations and member contributions.
• Gönnerverein O.chminorGTM or Marketing PartnerA supporter association that supports the foundation's activities.
• Swiss Paraplegiker-Gruppe / ParanetminorOthersListed as a partner link on the foundation's website.
• Universitäts-Kinderspital beider Basel (UKBB)minorOthersListed as a partner link on the foundation's website.
• Stiftung Denk an michminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSupports families with children who have special needs. Funded Jaime's care at the foundation. Created radio and film portraits of families.
• allani KinderhospizminorOthersListed as a partner link on the foundation's website.
• Stiftung Kinderhospiz SchweizminorOthersListed as a partner link on the foundation's website.
• Procap SchweizminorOthersListed as a partner link. Published report on out-of-family care for children with disabilities, noting regional differences in care availability.
• Make a Wish SwitzerlandminorOthersListed as a partner link on the foundation's website.
• Spitex Verband SchweizcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe foundation is a member of Spitex Verband Schweiz. The association has administrative contracts with major health insurers enabling direct billing. The foundation participates in Spitex Verband events and initiatives.
• SBK- Berufsverband der PflegefachpersonencoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe foundation participates in SBK (Swiss Nurses' Association) congresses annually. Represents pediatric nursing interests at the national level.
• Stiffler & Partner (Law Firm)minorOthersCo-organizer of an inheritance planning information event with the foundation and other organizations, providing expert legal advice on wills, care directives, and patient wills.
• EVANTISminorOthersEvent organizer for the joint inheritance planning information event with the foundation and other organizations.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• BAYADA Home Health Care: Large US-based home health provider with a dedicated pediatric and adult division delivering skilled in-home nursing. Comparable service model (home-based pediatric nursing at scale) and quality/certification-led positioning.
• Together for Short Lives: UK charity supporting children with life-limiting conditions and the hospices/services that care for them. Comparable mission scope (pediatric palliative and respite ecosystem advocacy), operating in a different national market but the same niche.
• Pediatric Home Service: US provider of home medical equipment and private-duty nursing for medically complex children. Closely comparable clinical model (in-home pediatric skilled nursing for technology-dependent and chronically ill children).
• allani Kinderhospiz Bern: Swiss children's hospice in Bern offering palliative care and respite for families with severely ill children. Smaller in scale but directly comparable service model and Swiss pediatric palliative care focus.
• Stiftung Kinderhospiz Schweiz: Swiss pediatric hospice foundation providing respite and end-of-life support for children with life-limiting conditions. Directly comparable mission (pediatric hospice/respite) and operates in Switzerland with similar donation and insurance funding mix.

Others

• Universitäts-Kinderspital beider Basel (UKBB): Swiss pediatric university hospital listed as a partner link. Referrer and clinical coordination partner for Joël's home care; complementary not competitive, but a key node in the same pediatric care ecosystem.
• Procap Schweiz: Swiss disability advocacy organization listed as a partner link on Joël's website. Not a direct competitor but operates in the same Swiss disability-care ecosystem and advocates for families with disabled children.

Regional players

• Björn Schulz Stiftung: German foundation providing pediatric hospice, home care, and respite services for families with severely ill children. Comparable pediatric palliative/respite offering, but based in Germany and not operating in the Swiss market.

Broad incumbents

• Spitex Zürich: Major cantonal Spitex in Zürich delivering general home nursing and support services. Operates under the same Spitex Verband Schweiz contracts and tariff structure as Joël but focuses on the general (non-pediatric-specialized) population.
• Spitex Bern: Largest cantonal Spitex organization in Switzerland providing general home care to all age groups across Bern. Comparable Spitex membership and insurance billing framework, but operates a much broader scope beyond pediatrics.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/familienzentriertePflegeundEntlastung
• Instagraminstagram.com/joelkinderspitex
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/joel-kinderspitex

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles17 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Stiftung Joel Kinderspitex, Schweiz