The official final result of the 30th “RTL-Spendenmarathon” has now been announced after the examination of all funds received: In total, €24,402,948.70 were raised for the children’s charity projects supported by “Stiftung RTL – Wir helfen Kindern e.V.”. Since the first “RTL-Spendenmarathon” in fall 1996, over €330.4 million have been raised for charity.
After 30 hours, host Wolfram Kons announced a preliminary total of €23,077,166 during the finale of the “RTL-Spendenmarathon”, which took place from November 20-21, 2025. Since the conclusion of the longest charity format on German television, the account of the “Stiftung RTL – Wir helfen Kindern e.V.” has received additional donations amounting to more than one million euros.
“Every cent arrives where it is need”
“What our viewers, partners, and supporters make possible year after year is truly unique and always deeply moving. For this, I would like to express my sincere thanks,” said Stephan Schmitter, CEO RTL Deutschland and Chairman of “Stiftung RTL – Wir helfen Kindern e.V.”. “Every donation is a sign of special trust in our work, but also of great solidarity – and it translates into concise help for children in Germany and around the world. Our promise is unconditional: Every cent arrives where it is needed.”
Wolfram Kons, Head of Charity at RTL Deutschland, commented: “More than €24 million after 30 hours of broadcasting: this is a historic result, which can be achieved only when a great number of people work together 24/7 and throughout the year. Thanks to everyone who donated, cheered us on, and worked along. Behind every donation are children who receive protection, medical care, education, and new opportunities. And that is precisely why we continue our work in 2026, 365 days a year.”
195 currently funded projects
The approved budget allocation for 2026 demonstrates just how concise and effective the help provided by “Stiftung RTL – Wir helfen Kindern e.V.” gets to children: In total, the donations raised in 2025 are used to fund 195 children’s charity projects. 69 percent of the total amount of €23,661,561 go to projects in Germany, with a particular focus on initiatives in the areas of health, personal development, and education. More than €11.3 million have been allocated to health projects alone. Concise help lies behind every figure: medical care, shelters, support, education, and the chance for a better life. RTL Deutschland covers all costs associated with the year-round campaigns, the “RTL-Spendenmarathon”, and the foundation’s work. Therefore, for the past 30 years, all donations raised were directly forwarded to the selected children’s charity projects without any deductions.
Final CPA exam in progress
Since 1996, RTL has been committed to helping children in need in Germany and around the world. What makes the commitment special is the fact that RTL Deutschland covers all personnel, production, and administrative costs associated with the “Stiftung RTL – Wir helfen Kindern e.V.” and the related “RTL-Spendenmarathon”. Every cent of the funds raised goes directly to selected children’s charity projects without any deductions – this is what Stiftung RTL and the “RTL-Spendenmarathon”, the longest-running charity broadcast on German television, stand for. Every year, the foundation is audited by the Deutsches Zentralinstitut für Soziale Fragen (DZI) and has received the coveted DZI donation seal since 2002. Over €330 million have been raised for charity over the past 30 years. “Stiftung RTL – Wir helfen Kindern e.V.” has used these donations to support hundreds of children’s charity projects. Hundreds of thousands of children in need in Germany and around the world have thus received sustainable help.
Here's how you can help children in need with a donation:
Recipient: “Stiftung RTL – Wir helfen Kindern”
IBAN: DE55 370 605 905 605 605 605
Bank: Sparda-Bank West
BIC: GENODED1SPK
