Das neue Geben: „Sie sind ja eh nur Sozialarbeiterin“

In the village of Sandesneben, situated half an hour from Hamburg, unmarked white vans traverse the countryside, prompting thoughts of craftsmen. However, inside, they serve as a platform for counseling women affected by violence, at locations such as the supermarket or school parking lot. No passerby notices the counseling center, so the assistance comes directly to the women.

Miriam Peters founded the Land-Grazien in 2020 due to the overwhelming demand. The organization has quickly grown. Just a year ago, Peters moved from the vans to an office to manage finances. The challenge was clear: the organization's bank account fees were higher than the interest earned. She inquired at two banks about investment opportunities.

The Sparkasse informed her, "You're just a social worker." This remark was outrageous, but it also represented poor business practices. In 2025, private non-profit organizations (foundations, trusts, churches, and associations) held approximately 74 billion euros in cash and deposits at banks. Of this, 45 billion were in sight accounts, readily available and nearly interest-free.

For instance, in July 2025, businesses in the Eurozone received a 0.6% interest rate, while the banks themselves earned 2.5% overnight from the European Central Bank for the same amount. Unfortunately, reliable statistics on this matter are scarce. According to a survey conducted near the donation platform Bcause, nearly forty percent of organizations receive no more than one percent interest on their deposits.

Similarly many are unaware of this fact. Regardless, it aligns with statistics from the Bundesbank. As customers, we calculate the difference of 1.9 percentage points on 45 billion euros, which amounts to approximately 850 million euros annually. All private individuals in Germany donated roughly 4.6 billion euros in 2025. The lost interest is thus close to one-fifth of all donations, or the annual budget of 2800 organizations like the Land-Grazien.

Why is such a substantial amount of money left unutilized in a sector that deeply affects almost every person in Germany? According to three explanations, but none absolve the banks. Firstly, non-profit organizations are legally obligated to spend donations within two years or form complicated reserves. Finding a lucrative investment option proves challenging, but fixed deposits and money market funds are possible.

Secondly, most organizations are small, with more than half of the 657,000 organizations in Germany receiving less than 10,000 euros per year. For these, the effort is not worthwhile. For the others, it is. Thirdly, they are often neither demanding nor self-confident as customers. In many associations, the bookkeeping determines whether someone has timely insisted.

Yet, that is precisely where counseling is needed. Meanwhile, many banks advertise their commitment. The first pledge Miriam Peters received was 2,500 euros from a Sparkasse foundation, which she could not spend as she wished, only on practical expenses. The Sparkassen-Finanzgruppe donated around 136 million euros for social causes in 2025.

The sum of interest lost by banks (and other banks) in 2025 is more than six times this amount. As a solicitor, Miriam Peters was welcomed; as a customer, she was merely a social worker. Banks are productive when they finance ideas that would not exist without them, benefiting the economy. Conversely, they undermine organizations like the Land-Grazien by hoarding money, rendering it less valuable over time.

One may approach a donor with empathy, but not a customer. Across the country, there are organizations with ideas to improve social work, their challenges barely visible outside. Felix Oldenburg, author of "The Trapped Prosperity" (2025) and CEO of the foundation startup Bcause, encourages all who can contribute more to join in a new giving movement. This includes wealth utilization and not hiding it. First published: October 9, 2026, 04:00 AM.