As an IT service provider and software developer, we aren’t typically associated with charitable initiatives at first glance. However, we believe that every company can do something to help those in need and that, in addition to maximizing profits, it can and should also take on social responsibility. Our approach is far from greenwashing—instead, we’re not afraid to roll up our sleeves and get our hands dirty.
For years, Consulting4IT has been supporting nonprofit organizations and institutions with generous donations—in addition to global projects, we also place a high priority on supporting primarily regional organizations. The Charity Board, established internally specifically to research and coordinate these charitable activities, is composed of colleagues who volunteer their time for this cause, often in their spare time. In addition to monetary donations, we have recently begun organizing our own aid campaigns to help those in need and support institutions.
Small effort, big impact:Over the past few months, we’ve already made a real difference through targeted initiatives. Despite the seemingly modest scale of some of these efforts, we were overwhelmed by the profound impact they had on everyone involved. Because it’s not just about the assistance itself, but above all what we’re able to convey through it: hope, joy, and positive memories. The feeling of not being left alone. Of being seen. And the assurance that there are still companies and people in the world who care and who are willing to give something back—both financially and through their own labor.
Individual actions
We have already been involved in various initiatives in the past—whether it was participating in “Christmas in a Shoebox,” where personalized gifts are packed and sent to children in need across Europe, or delivering aid supplies to Ukraine in our company van when the war broke out there. In recent months, we have carried out additional initiatives that have focused primarily on regional projects. After all, you don’t have to look far to find plenty of need right here. For example, we recently supported the FVgg Weingarten charity run, whose proceeds benefit cancer patients and their families. Further initiatives are listed below:
Buffet for Preschool
As a company based in Waldbronn near Karlsruhe, we are always eager to support organizations and people in our immediate community. For example, when we learned that the “Villa Regenbogen” preschool in the nearby town of Straubenhardt-Conweiler was planning to purchase a children’s buffet for its dining hall, we didn’t hesitate to help.
We took the modest request for a small contribution toward purchasing the buffet as an opportunity to cover the entire cost of several thousand euros. It was clear to us: By doing this, we are helping the youngest children get a hot meal every day while also learning a great deal about independence. The main purpose of the buffet is to teach children how to serve meals onto plates on their own and estimate portion sizes. It is also intended to teach them healthy habits regarding food.The joy on the part of the parent council and the kindergarten administration was immense: “You have restored my faith in the good in people!” said kindergarten director Thomas Toth.
SeSiSta – Self-Defense Class for Kids
With our donation, we helped another preschool—the Don Bosco Preschool in Waldbronn-Busenbach—set uptheSeSiSta self-defense course, which is designed to teach children how to handle conflicts and boost their self-esteem. During a visit to the school, for which our CEO Patrick Hild had made time specifically, we learned more about the project.
Among other things, the course teaches children how to defend themselves against attacks by adults, how to escape from dangerous situations, and how to seek help. We view the nearly 800 euros the course costs as money well spent on children’s safety—though, according to the daycare center’s management, this is neither a given nor a trivial matter. For them, the amount is certainly a big deal, especially since more and more grants and funding for kindergartens and daycare centers are being cut or reduced.
“On behalf of our support association, the preschool children, and the entire staff of the facility, I would like to express my sincere gratitude for the generous donation and the support it provides for our preschool project,” said Miriam Klingler, the kindergarten director.
Painting Project at St. Antonius Children's Home in Karlsruhe
For the first time, we launched our own relief effort, rolling up our sleeves and providing on-site assistance. To that end, we got in touch with the St. Antonius Children’s Home in Karlsruhe. During our conversation, we learned that a separate residential building at the home had been in need of a fresh coat of interior paint for quite some time.
No sooner said than done. After a site visit to assess the materials and labor needed, we organized a painting project that spanned a Friday afternoon and Saturday. During that time, we painted the entire stairwell and common room of the house, which is home to a residential group of six children. Both the materials and the labor time for Friday were provided by management. For Saturday, the nine volunteers sacrificed their free time—a big thank you to them for their volunteer efforts!
The results are impressive: the previously rather worn-out rooms now shine in fresh white. The educational director, Mr. Markus Weßbecher, expressed his heartfelt thanks: “The rooms truly shine in a new light now; they’re much more welcoming and simply make the children’s home more beautiful.” But the best thanks was surely the feedback from the children themselves, who were visibly delighted with the freshly painted rooms. The initiative shows once again that money alone isn’t the only thing that helps. Hard work and dedication can also make a big difference. A great side effect: all the volunteers had a lot of fun doing it.
Long-term aid partnerships
In addition to individual donations and initiatives in response to specific needs, we also pursue long-term projects that are close to our hearts.
UNESON Learning Friends House
The Lernfreunde-Haus UNESON in Karlsruhe cares for refugee children who have recently arrived in Germany. Led by founder Yasmin Sahin, this volunteer-run organization is dedicated not only to providing basic necessities but, above all, to helping these children develop a new, child-friendly outlook on life. This includes therapeutic and educational programs designed to support these often traumatized children and provide them with a safe and structured daily routine.
This, along with intensive language support, ensures that the children are as well-prepared as possible for integration into kindergarten and school. In addition, the Lernfreundehaus operates a clothing bank for those in need. However, since the organization is funded exclusively by donations, it often lacks even the most basic necessities. We began providing regular support just under two years ago with an initial one-time donation of 12,500 euros. Our stated goal: to support the Lernfreundehaus as effectively as possible on a long-term and regular basis.
Serik Patili Dünya Animal Shelter
The Serik Patili Dünya animal shelter in the Turkish town of Serik is dedicated to giving stray dogs and cats a second chance. In addition to providing food, shelter, and veterinary care, the shelter always strives to find the animals permanent homes. The facility is funded exclusively by donations and run by volunteers. The spacious facility is home to over 100 dogs and cats, most of whom are free to roam and are lovingly cared for.
We first came into contact with the animal shelter through our managing director, Mirko Oesterhaus, who learned about it through personal connections in Turkey. Together with animal rights activist Barbara Schellenberg, we have been providing financial support to the shelter for years now as part of a comprehensive sponsorship program. Through our publications about the facility, we also aim to draw attention to these often-suffering animals and, in addition to appealing for donations, seek sponsors or people who would prefer to give such an animal a new home rather than support expensive and cruel breeding practices. After all, the greatest happiness for these stranded animals is to finally find a loving home with an animal lover.
Hackers4Good
Although it isn’t a local project, it’s a good fit for us in terms of its focus, and we’re supporting the organization “Hackers4Good” led by Noél Funke. This initiative also focuses on supporting children, but extends far beyond Germany’s borders. Under the motto “Hackers for Charity,” the association brings together a community of people from the IT industry who support a wide variety of charity projects worldwide. One of the main focuses is on imparting digital knowledge and providing education and training for children in digital topics—whether it’s the proper use of IT, digital workshops, the right way to handle social media, or even complex campaigns against cyberbullying.
In addition, the association regularly organizes off-road tours throughout Europe to deliver relief supplies, clothing, food, and IT equipment to schools in the most remote areas. Specific projects also include the construction and support of schools in Africa and Nepal. We have been officially sponsoring the project in Nepal since 2024. In addition, Noel Funke also carries out aid projects in Germany, such as supporting terminally ill children in hospice care, for whom he fulfills their heart’s desires every Christmas. In a loving personal initiative, he and his wife personally pack Christmas gifts for this purpose, which they purchase via an Amazon wish list through donation partners like us.
Plans and Goals
We know that our efforts alone cannot change the world. But at least we can make a difference for some people, giving them back a spark of hope and confidence. That’s what drives us! We therefore want to continue making donations in our local community to support specific causes, projects, or organizations. We’d be very grateful for any suggestions or tips from our colleagues—we’ll review every request together with management!
We also want to expand our charitable initiatives. Specifically, we are already in talks with the Karlsruhe Animal Shelter, where we may be planning an event this fall. There is also plenty to do at the UNESON Lernfreunde House. There is more than enough work to be done in the old military building in eastern Karlsruhe: whether it’s gardening, painting walls, sanding doors, or much more. We plan to organize a few initiatives here for next year. Until then, we are exploring short-term opportunities for clothing and in-kind donations.
We’ve realized that giving back isn’t always just about money. There are plenty of opportunities, but the need is immense. It’s wonderful that we can do our part.