Deutsches Zentralinstitut für soziale Fragen

The German Central Institute for Social Issues (DZI) is a non-profit foundation under civil law based in Berlin. For over 130 years, the DZI has collected and documented high-quality information and sources in the fields of social work, social pedagogy, and fundraising. It operates the DZI Donation Advisory Service as consumer counseling, continuously develops testing standards and award procedures, and awards the DZI Donation Seal for trustworthy aid organizations. Additionally, the institute maintains the most comprehensive specialist library for social work in the German-speaking region, operates the literature database DZI SoLit, and publishes the professional journal "Soziale Arbeit" (Social Work). As a central information center for research, media, and politics, the DZI shapes the scientific debate and ensures transparency in the non-profit sector.

The DZI is tasked with strengthening the nonprofit sector through thorough audits, information services, and scientific documentation. It informs donors about the credibility of aid organizations, develops independent standards, and awards the DZI Donation Seal as a quality mark. At the same time, the institute provides professional information from social work and welfare care publicly and in a practice-oriented manner via its library, database, and professional journal.

The DZI is aimed at private and institutional donors who seek secure and effective use of funds. With its specialized library and the literature database DZI SoLit, it serves social workers, researchers, and students in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. Research institutions, media, and policymakers receive reliably verified information for the nonprofit sector.