Overview About us

The German Caritas Association

The German Caritas Association is a registered charity. It is recognised by the German Bishops’ Conference as the institutional association and representation of the Catholic welfare association Caritas in Germany.

Drei Pflegerinnen der Caritas vor ihren Autos

Caritas Association

Creating a just society in Germany

As a non-statutory welfare association, German Caritas Association plays an active role in socio-political debates. We speak out for disadvantaged people and develop our own ideas on how to create a just society in Germany. Mehr

Lachende junge Frau im Rollstuhl mit Betreuer

Our goals

Goals of the German Caritas Association

This statement of goals of the German Caritas Association formulates tasks and goals, challenges and perspectives. It is directed toward all volunteer and professional workers and should help them in identifying with Caritas’ goals and tasks. It aims to give the public a clear and realistic picture of the Caritas Association. Mehr

Gruppengespräch bei einer Konferenz mit mehreren Personen, die lächeln und interagieren. Auf dem Tisch liegen bunte Karten und Getränke.

Institutions

Our Governance and Working Structures

Caritas in Germany wants to help people in need, both today and in the future. The aim is to participate in shaping social development in Germany and Europe. Its organisational structure – the structure of the German Caritas Association – helps to achieve these goals. Mehr

Eva Maria Welskop-Deffaa, Präsidentin des Deutschen Caritasverbandes. (Copyright: Deutscher Caritasverband / Gordon Welters)

Particulars

President and Board

The President of the German Caritas Association is elected by the Assembly of Delegates for a term of six years. She is the Association’s official spokesperson to the Church and the public. The operations of the Association are overseen by the Board of three persons. Mehr

Finances

Financing the Work of the German Caritas Association

The German Caritas Association is not an affiliated group; it is an amalgamation of its member organizations. Each member organization is financially and economically independent and not supervised or controlled by the head office, but has its own supervisory board. Mehr

Collage von Menschen aus unterschiedlichen Lebenssituationen und Hintergründen, die mit Fröhlichkeit und Engagement dargestellt werden

Memberorganisations

The German Caritas Association as an Umbrella Organization

The German Caritas Association has personal, corporate, and associated corporate members. The German Caritas Association strengthens and promotes its members’ possibilities for self-representation and participation. Mehr