What Freiwilligen Zentrum Augsburg does

Freiwilligen-Zentrum Augsburg (legal entity: Freiwilligenzentrum Augsburg gGmbH, HRB 24168) is a non-profit volunteer center founded in January 1997 under the German Caritas Association's model network. The organization operates as the central coordination hub for civic engagement in Augsburg, Bavaria, connecting interested citizens with local non-profit organizations through personal consultation, an online presence, and a portfolio of 25+ specialized social projects spanning youth mentoring, literacy sponsorship, senior companionship, inclusion, diversity, sports, and intercultural exchange. It also offers dedicated advisory services for non-profits seeking volunteers and for companies pursuing corporate volunteering programs.

The underlying technology stack is entirely commodity: the website runs on Jimdo CMS, with pretix (rami.io GmbH) for event ticketing, Newsletter2Go for email distribution, SurveyMonkey for online questionnaires, and Google Analytics 4, reCAPTCHA, and Translate integrations. There is no proprietary platform, no native mobile app, and no AI/ML capability; the 'digital verein(t)' project teaches AI literacy to citizens but does not deploy AI internally. Services are delivered free of charge via personal consultation at the Augsburg office, project-based engagement, and public events including the recurring Freiwilligenmesse and Good Deeds Day.

The revenue model is non-commercial and entirely grant- and donation-based. Since 2022, the organization has been designated by the Bavarian State Ministry for Family, Labor and Social Affairs as the Center for Local Volunteer Management (Zentrum für lokales Freiwilligenmanagement), with ongoing state ministry funding as the primary revenue stream. Supplementary income comes from charitable donations and membership fees of the supporting Förderverein (founded c. 2002). The bagfa Qualitätssiegel quality certification and 28-year operating history anchor its position within the regional volunteer infrastructure.

Name

Freiwilligen Zentrum Augsburg

Legal name

Freiwilligenzentrum Augsburg gGmbH

Website

https://freiwilligen-zentrum-augsburg.de

Company type

Private

Founded year

1997

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Freiwilligen-Zentrum Augsburg is a non-profit volunteer center founded in 1997 that connects Augsburg citizens with local non-profits through consultations, events, and 25+ specialized social projects, funded primarily by Bavarian state government grants and donations.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Volunteer and Community Engagement Services

NAICS

Civic and Social Organizations (813410), Civic and Social Organizations (81341), Religious, Grantmaking, Civic, Professional, and Similar Organizations (813), Social Advocacy Organizations (8133)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

Youth Mentoring & Positive Youth Development Nonprofits (BPAGADAD)

akta.pro secondary industries

Community Foundations (BPAGAKAB), Cultural Centers & Community Cultural Organizations (BPAGAHAD), Dropout Prevention, Alternative Education & Re-Engagement Nonprofits (BPAGADAL)

Keywords

• Volunteer management
• Civic engagement
• Community programs
• Nonprofit advisory services
• Social volunteering projects

Headquarters

HQ city

Augsburg

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Government Funding: Primary funding from Bavarian State Ministry for Family, Labor and Social Affairs (Bayerisches Staatsministerium für Familie, Arbeit und Soziales). Since 2022, designated as Center for Local Volunteer Management with ongoing state funding.
2. Donations: Accepts charitable donations to support operations and programs. Donations support three beneficiaries: volunteers finding meaningful tasks, nonprofit organizations receiving support, and citizens receiving help through engagement.
3. Membership Fees (Förderverein): Supporting association (Förderverein) with membership contributions supporting the organization's work.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Freiwilligen-Zentrum Augsburg is a non-profit volunteer center that connects individual citizens interested in volunteering with nonprofit organizations in Augsburg through personal consultations, matching services, and community events. It coordinates more than 25 specialized social projects covering youth mentorship, senior companionship, literacy support, inclusion, diversity, and intercultural engagement. All advisory services, project participation, and events are provided free of charge to volunteers and organizations.

Product overview

Freiwilligen-Zentrum Augsburg operates as a comprehensive volunteer center offering a platform of interconnected services and projects. The core offerings include advisory services for volunteers, organizations, and companies, supported by over 25 distinct volunteer projects covering areas such as social support (Sozialpaten, Wohnpaten), education (Lernpaten, Lesepaten, Kritzelpaten), inclusion (Barriere-Checker, Verborgene Talente), youth engagement (change-in, Jugendpaten), health and sports (Sporadis, Sportlotsen), and cultural integration (Botschafter der Vielfalt, Chancenpatenschaften). The organization also runs thematic programs like 'Raum für Engagement' and uses a pretix-powered event platform for event registration and management.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Beratung für Freiwillige (Volunteer Advisory Services) Advisory services for citizens interested in voluntary engagement, including personal consultations, email counseling, and self-service tools to find placement opportunities.
• Beratung für Organisationen (Organization Advisory Services) Consulting services for non-profit organizations including volunteer recruitment, becoming a placement site (Einsatzstelle), service offerings, and staying informed.
• Beratung für Unternehmen (Corporate Advisory Services) Corporate consulting services to help businesses engage with volunteer opportunities and corporate social responsibility initiatives.
• Youth and Education Volunteer Projects (change-in, Jugendpaten, Lernpaten, Lesepaten, Kritzelpaten, Kleine Entdecker) Youth and education volunteer projects pairing adult mentors with young people, providing learning support at elementary schools, reading sponsorship, handwriting development for kindergarten children, and youth discovery activities.
• Senior Support Projects (Senioren-Besuchsdienst, GemEinsamkeits-Café, Handy-Sprechstunde) Senior support volunteer projects including home visits for companionship, GemEinsamkeits-Café loneliness prevention meetings, and mobile phone helpdesk where young volunteers assist seniors with device operation.
• Social Sponsorship Projects (Sozialpaten, Wohnpaten, Chancenpatenschaften, Smena) Social sponsorship projects supporting people in financial and personal distress, housing search assistance, and Russian-language helpline (Smena) for those in need.
• Inclusion and Diversity Projects (Barriere-Checker, Botschafter der Vielfalt, Verborgene Talente, Sportlotsen) Volunteer projects promoting accessibility, cultural diversity, inclusion for people with disabilities, and connecting people from different cultures with sports clubs.
• Health, Sports and Environment Projects (Sporadis, Engagement rund ums Wasser, Frauen stärken, digital verein(t)) Volunteer projects promoting physical activity through free outdoor exercise, water-related engagement, women's empowerment workshops, and digital literacy programs including AI understanding.
• Raum für Engagement (Space for Engagement Program) Themed day program featuring events on youth, diversity, personal engagement, inclusion, education, social issues, and sustainability with various workshops and activities.
• Veranstaltungsplattform (Event Platform powered by pretix) Online event ticketing and registration platform powered by pretix, enabling registration, ticket sales, and event coordination for the organization's activities.

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration9 records

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Deutscher CaritasverbandcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFounding organization. FZA was established in January 1997 as part of the model association (Modellverbund) of the German Caritas Association. Träger is Freiwilligenzentrum Augsburg gGmbH.
• Bundesarbeitsgemeinschaft der Freiwilligenagenturen e.V. (bagfa)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational umbrella organization for volunteer agencies. FZA holds quality certification (Qualitätssiegel) from bagfa and participates in national initiatives including IAVE World Volunteer Conferences.
• Landesverband lagfa bayern e.V.coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBavarian state association of volunteer agencies. FZA is a member, participating in regional coordination and knowledge sharing.
• Auxbande - Mein ist Dein AugsburgminorGTM or Marketing PartnerLocal collaborative network for sharing economy and community engagement in Augsburg. FZA participates as a member organization.
• Café Tür an TürminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal social project partner for Kulinarische Weltreise (Culinary World Journey) program combining cooking, language learning, and intercultural exchange.
• Kulturcafé NerudaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCultural café partner for Kulinarische Weltreise program, collaborating on intercultural community events.
• Grandhotel CosmopolisminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerVenue partner for GemEinsamkeits-Café (loneliness prevention meetings) and various project activities. Located at Springergäßchen 5, Augsburg.
• Kolping-Stiftung AugsburgminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerVenue provider for training workshops and seminars including communication training for volunteers at Tagungsraum Handwerk EG.
• Schreibmotorik InstitutminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerInstitute providing training and materials for Kritzelpaten project on handwriting development for kindergarten children.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Broad incumbents

• Malteser Hilfsdienst e.V. German Catholic aid organization operating nationwide volunteer-based social, medical, and emergency programs. Overlaps with FZA in mobilizing volunteers for social support (e.g., Senioren-Besuchsdienst, Sozialpaten-style services).
• Deutsches Rotes Kreuz (DRK): German Red Cross — national humanitarian organization engaging millions of volunteers across social, health, and emergency programs. Operates a comparable volunteer-engagement infrastructure nationally that overlaps with FZA's community-volunteer focus.
• Bundesarbeitsgemeinschaft der Freiwilligenagenturen e.V. (bagfa): National umbrella for volunteer agencies in Germany; awards the Qualitätssiegel certification that FZA holds. Operates as the industry association and standards body across all German volunteer agencies.
• Diakonie Deutschland: National Protestant welfare federation — Caritas's counterpart — coordinating social services, volunteer programs, and nonprofit support across Germany. Comparable in mission and structure to Caritas's role as FZA's parent network.
• Deutscher Caritasverband: National Catholic welfare association and FZA's founding partner through the 1997 model network. Operates broadly across social services, advocacy, and humanitarian aid — overlapping with FZA's nonprofit-coordination role but at national scale.
• Aktion Mensch e.V. Large German social nonprofit funding inclusion, disability, and youth-engagement projects. Overlaps with FZA's inclusion (Verborgene Talente), accessibility (Barriere-Checker), and youth-mentoring (Jugendpaten) programs at significantly larger scale.

Direct peers

• lagfa bayern e.V. Bavarian state association of volunteer agencies; FZA is a member. lagfa coordinates the same bagfa-certified volunteer-center model across Bavaria, making it the closest structural peer in governance and network design.
• Freiwilligen-Agentur München: Volunteer agency in Munich operating under the same bagfa national umbrella, providing the same volunteer-matching and nonprofit-support model in a larger Bavarian city. Most directly comparable peer in terms of service offering, scale, and target audience.
• Freiwilligen-Agentur Nürnberg: Volunteer agency in Nuremberg providing comparable volunteer-matching, nonprofit-support, and project-coordination services in another Bavarian city under the same bagfa framework.

Regional players

• VolunteerMatch: US-based digital volunteer-matching platform. Comparable in core function (connecting volunteers with nonprofits) but operates a tech-led, self-service model in a different geography — illustrates the digital-disruption vector relevant to FZA's community-led approach.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/freiwilligenzentrumaugsburg
• Instagraminstagram.com/fz_augsburg
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/freiwilligen-zentrum-augsburg

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

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 Freiwilligen Zentrum Augsburg