{"id":17757,"date":"2026-06-23T17:52:02","date_gmt":"2026-06-23T15:52:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/vostel.de\/blog\/pro-bono-ehrenamt-das-erwartet-dich\/"},"modified":"2026-06-23T18:20:15","modified_gmt":"2026-06-23T16:20:15","slug":"pro-bono-volunteering","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/vostel.de\/blog\/en\/pro-bono-volunteering\/","title":{"rendered":"Pro Bono Volunteering: What you can expect"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Nonprofit organizations do important work every day, but they often reach their limits: For many, professional support in IT, design, communications, or legal matters is simply unaffordable. Through pro bono volunteering, you contribute exactly this expertise for a good cause and with real added value for yourself. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

In this article, you’ll learn why nonprofit organizations rely so heavily on expertise, what kinds of roles are available, and what you should keep in mind when starting out.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Contents:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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  1. The situation of nonprofit organizations in Germany<\/a><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n
  2. How organisations and volunteers support with pro bono volunteering<\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/a><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n
  3. What to keep in mind when volunteering pro bono<\/a><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n
  4. Find your pro bono volunteer opportunity on vostel.de<\/a><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n
  5. FAQ \u2013 Frequently asked questions bbout pro bono volunteering<\/a><\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

    1. The situation of nonprofit organizations in Germany<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
    \"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

    Civil society in Germany is large and diverse. According to the 2023 ZiviZ Survey, a representative survey of organizations conducted by the Stifterverband, there are approximately 657,000 civil society organizations in Germany, 94 percent of which are registered associations. They are active in areas such as social services, the environment, education, culture, and democracy, making them an indispensable part of our society. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Tight budgets, limited staff<\/strong><\/h5>\n\n\n\n

    Behind this commitment often lies a structural problem: Most organizations operate on very limited resources. More than half have total annual revenue of less than 10,000 euros. Only 27 percent of organizations have any paid staff at all. The vast majority, therefore, operate entirely on a volunteer basis. This means there is simply no budget for specialized tasks such as maintaining a website, designing communication materials, or implementing digital tools. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    There is a lack of expertise, and demand is growing<\/strong><\/h5>\n\n\n\n

    At the same time, the demands on nonprofit organizations are increasing. They must communicate professionally, establish digital processes, and maintain visibility in order to attract donations, members, and volunteers. A 2024 survey of nonprofit organizations shows that 23 percent reported not having a designated IT contact person to plan and implement digitalization projects. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    The German Foundation for Civic Engagement and Volunteerism (DSEE) sums it up: NPOs need to cover a range of areas, from communication to strategy to IT, but often lack the financial resources to purchase this expertise on the market. There is therefore a great need for targeted, specialized support. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    2. How organisations and volunteers support with pro bono volunteering<\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
    \"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

    What non-profit organizations do<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    In Germany, the infrastructure supporting pro bono work is growing. In early 2025, the Pro Bono Alliance<\/a> was launched on the initiative of the German Foundation for Engagement and Volunteering (DSEE); its members include Haus des Stiftens, CorrelAid, startsocial, UPJ, and youvo. The alliance\u2019s goal is to bring together professionals and nonprofit organizations in a targeted manner and to facilitate pro bono work in Germany. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Pro bono work via vostel.de<\/strong><\/h5>\n\n\n\n

    vostel.de also coordinates pro bono projects, both for individuals and as part of corporate volunteering programs, in which companies grant their employees time off to participate in pro bono assignments.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    How volunteers are involved<\/strong><\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
    \"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

    Through pro bono work, you use your professional skills for charitable purposes without receiving payment. The difference from traditional volunteer work is that you contribute exactly what you\u2019re already good at, only this time, it\u2019s for a good cause. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    On vostel.de, you’ll find projects in these areas:<\/p>\n\n\n\n