Non-profits, often referred to as charities, are non-profit organizations that operate independently of any government, typically one whose purpose is to address a social or political issue.
In Germany, an NPO can take on various legal forms. You may come across the slightly confusing looking acronym “gGmbH,” which refers to a “charitable company with limited liability under German law.” Such organizations aim to combine the benefits of a nonprofit with those of a GmbH (the German equivalent of a limited liability company).
A second legal form of NPO commonly found in Germany is a “Verein”, abbreviated as a “e.V.” While there is no direct translation in British or American English, a "Verein" can be said to be a club or society, the word literally comes from the German meaning “people coming together.” It can be a sports club, and, in fact, according to the statistics, that is what it is most likely to be. However, it is also the most common legal form for a charitable organization in Germany.
Working at an NPO may entail a slightly lower earning potential than jobs at other organization types, and some find that a constant focus on fundraising and keeping costs low can stifle productivity. However, jobs in non-profit organizations also tend to be highly rewarding. They can provide you with the opportunity to work directly with the people affected by society's biggest problems and to have a tangible impact on the causes you care about.
You can read more about how to found a Verein in Germany here.
Below are a selection of Germany’s most prominent non-profits:
- Accountable Now
- Aktion Deutschland Hilft e.V
- Aktion Mensch e.V.
- Amnesty International
- arche noVa - Initiative für Menschen in Not e.V.
- Ärzte der Welt e.V. - Doctors of the World Germany
- Ärzte ohne Grenzen e.V. / Médecins Sans Frontières
- Aspen Institute Deutschland e.V.
- buddY e.V. - Forum Neue Lernkultur / Education Y (neuer Name)
- CADUS – Redefine Global Solidarity e.V.
- Campact e.V. - Kampagnen für eine lebendige Demokratie
- Care Deutschland-Luxemburg e.V.
- Chancenwerk e.V.
- Change.org
- Citizens For Europe e.V.
- Collective Leadership Institute
- DEUTSCHE WELTHUNGERHILFE E.V.
- foodwatch e.V.
- Germanwatch e.V.
- Global Climate Forum e.V.
- GoVolunteer e.V. - Go Volunteer
- Greenpeace e.V.
- Human Rights Watch
- Liquid Democracy e.V.
- LOVE FOR LIFE e.V.
- Mehr als Lernen e.V.
- Mein Grundeinkommen e.V.
- MitOst e.V.
- Oxfam Germany
- peace brigades international (pbi)
- PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals)
- Plan International Deutschland e.V.
- Polis180 e.V.
- Reporter ohne Grenzen e. V.
- Save the Children
- SOS Kinderdorf
- SOS MEDITERRANEE Deutschland e.V.
- Transparency International
- UNESCO
- UNO-Flüchtlingshilfe e.V.
- World Vision Deutschland e.V.