The modes of financing differ and are dependent on the work field of Diakonie.

Own resources and Social Security Funds:
Diakonie delivers many forms of assistance which the people needing help pay for themselves. German Social Security assumes a part of these expenses and thus take some of the burden off those who need assistance. For instance, intensive care in an old peoples’ home, or at the old person’s home, is being assumed in part by the health care insurances mandatory in Germany - the remainder being assumed by those who need this care. German Social Security helps finance the rehabilitation measures and rehabilitation hospitals run by Diakonie. The German Federal Employment Office supports the Diakonie services assisting unemployed people.

Subsidies from Public Funds:
Part of the expenses are being supported from public funds (federal level, state level and municipal level ). For example, the state pays for a part of the costs occuring in treating drug or alcohol addicts or for women struggling with pregnancy (regarding abortion). Or, the municipalities pay for integration services for handicapped and give additonal funds benefitting mentally, or psychologically ill people or those heavily indebted.

Church Tax:
Every member of the Protestant Church in Germany has to pay a church tax (collected in lieu by the German Internal Revenue Service). This tax is levied according to the member’s income and/or salary. The majority of consultancy services and contact points of the diaconal district services are being funded by this church tax. Child day care centers receive supplementary funds. Furthermore, assistance for immigrants from the former Soviet Union, for foreigners and for refugees are being financed. Also, the office of Diakonie Württemberg is being supported by church tax funds.

Donations:
This kind of financial means is becoming increasingly important. Thanks to donations, Diakonie is able to help those who do not have a rightful claim for help and for whom nobody feels responsible. Poor people get meals at no cost in the so-called “Vesperkirchen“ - food churches - and they get free medical aid. Or, they can buy food at very low prices in special shops. Families with handicapped children also get help in a non-bureaucratic way (“Offene Hilfen“). Last but not least, without such donations it would not be possible to assist people after catastrophes in Germany and abroad.