Raising money for a defibrillator: how to make your neighbourhood, school or club safer for the heart

A defibrillator (AED) can save a life when someone has a cardiac arrest. Yet there is not always an AED within reach, or the device is only accessible while a building is open. Perhaps you want to buy an AED for your street together with your neighbours. Or there is no device at the sports club, at school or in the community hall.

But how do you go about it? What does an AED cost? Is there funding, and how can you raise the money together?

There are more options than you might think. You can buy, rent or lease an AED. Local sponsors, foundations and the municipality can help too. And if an amount is still missing after that, a fundraiser on Spendenaktion lets neighbours, members and others involved contribute. The information in this article relates to Germany and Austria.

Why is an AED nearby important?

In a cardiac arrest, every minute counts. An AED (Automated External Defibrillator) analyses the heart rhythm and, if needed, can deliver an electric shock. The device gives spoken instructions to the person providing help.

Accessibility is especially important. An AED in a clubhouse can be very valuable during opening hours, but may not be available when the building is closed. That is why a well-accessible outdoor location is often worth considering.

First check whether there is already an AED

Before you start raising money for a new AED, it is wise to find out which devices are already in the area and when they can be reached.

In Germany there is currently no national AED register and no obligation to report the purchase of an AED. The largest database is run by the association Definetz, but it relies on voluntary reports, as the AOK reports (in German). In Austria, the map on definetzwerk.at (in German) shows registered locations.

Also ask around at the sports club, community centre, school or local businesses. Perhaps there is already an AED that could be made more accessible with an outdoor cabinet. That can be cheaper than a completely new device.

What can you start an AED fundraiser for?

A fundraiser for an AED suits many local initiatives.

What does an AED cost?

According to the AOK, the purchase price of an AED is between €1,500 and €3,000, plus maintenance costs. Devices that are accessible around the clock cost more, because they need a protected, alarm-secured and heated housing. A fictional sample budget for a neighbourhood AED could look like this:

These are not fixed market prices. Request quotes in advance and check what is included in an AED package or maintenance contract. With crowdfunding, also take the donation platform's fees into account, so that the net amount needed is raised.

How can you get an AED without paying for everything yourself?

You do not always have to pay the full purchase price yourself. Depending on the location, the organisation and the support available, there are several options.

1Funding from the municipality and foundations

Some municipalities and cities support neighbourhood projects, safety or equipment for clubs. Community foundations, banks or service clubs such as Rotary and Lions sometimes support AED projects too.

Ask your municipality about the options. Also check with your sports association, the local volunteer centre or a foundation for civic engagement. For businesses, it can be worth asking the employers' liability insurance association (Berufsgenossenschaft). There is no single funding scheme that applies everywhere and to everyone.

2Sponsorship by local businesses

A supermarket, bakery, estate agent, gym or other local business may think it is important that an AED becomes available.

Ask businesses whether they want to support the project. That can be a full contribution, but also a smaller amount or help in kind. Perhaps an electrician takes care of the installation, or a shop offers a suitable wall.

Explain clearly what the AED means for the neighbourhood or club, and how you will thank sponsors.

3Renting, leasing or subscribing to an AED

Buying is not the only option. Some providers offer rental, leasing or a subscription, sometimes including maintenance and service.

That can be interesting for clubs or organisations that prefer not to spend a large amount at once. Do compare the term, monthly costs, replacement conditions and total costs. A low monthly price is not automatically cheaper in the long run.

4Making an existing AED more accessible

Sometimes there is already an AED in a school, clubhouse or business, but it cannot be reached outside opening hours. Then discuss whether the device can be moved to a suitable outdoor cabinet.

In that case you may not have to pay for a completely new device. You will need agreements on ownership, accessibility, maintenance, power supply and registration.

5Crowdfunding through Spendenaktion

Are funding, sponsorship or other options not enough? Then crowdfunding for an AED through Spendenaktion can be a good addition.

With your own fundraiser page, you explain where the AED should go, what it costs and how much money is still needed. Neighbours, club members, family, friends and local businesses can then contribute online.

A fundraiser also works for part of the amount. If a sponsor is already paying for the outdoor cabinet and the municipality contributes to the purchase, you raise the remaining amount through Spendenaktion.

See current AED fundraisers

Combine different ways of funding

You do not have to choose between sponsorship, funding and crowdfunding. The combination can be especially effective.

Suppose you need €3,000 for an AED project. A local business gives €750 and a community foundation also gives €750. That leaves €1,500 to fund:

You can raise that remaining amount with a fundraiser. If a hundred people give an average of €15, that brings in €1,500 in gross donations. When setting your target, do take platform and transaction fees into account.

This makes the fundraiser clearer. You are not simply asking for money for an AED, but showing who is already helping and which concrete amount is still missing.

How to start a successful AED fundraiser

1. Plan the location and management

   Find out where the AED is needed, whether a suitable spot is available and who will look after the device after installation. If necessary, ask the building owner for permission.

2. Calculate the amount needed

   Request quotes for the device, outdoor cabinet, installation and maintenance. Then see which funding or sponsorship is possible, and decide how much you want to raise through crowdfunding.

3. Tell a clear and personal story

   Create a fundraiser page on Spendenaktion with a recognisable title, such as 'A defibrillator for our street!'. Explain where the AED will go, why that location matters and what the money will be used for. A photo of the location or the organisers helps people feel involved.

4. Involve the whole neighbourhood or club

   Share the fundraiser via WhatsApp, Facebook, Instagram, a neighbourhood group or the club newsletter. Ask local businesses and clubs to spread the link too. You could also organise a flea market, a sponsored run or a neighbourhood gathering, and use a QR code on a flyer to point people to the online fundraiser.

5. Keep donors updated

   Share regular progress updates. Let people know when a sponsor joins, a milestone is reached or the AED is ordered. And after installation, post a photo with a thank-you, so donors can see what their contribution made possible.

Sample text for an AED fundraiser

You can use this text as a starting point for your own fundraiser:

Adapt the text to your situation. Above all, check that the location, the availability of other AEDs and the target amount are actually correct.

Do not forget placement, registration and maintenance

Raising the money is only the beginning. Make sure the AED remains ready for use after purchase.

• A good location. Preferably choose a visible, easily reachable spot. An outdoor AED needs a weatherproof cabinet, usually with power for heating and lighting.
• A responsible person. Agree who checks the AED, keeps the details up to date and makes the device ready for use again after it has been used. Batteries and electrodes have a limited shelf life. In Germany, operators must document the device and have it checked regularly under the Medical Devices Operator Ordinance (MPBetreibV).
• Registration in Germany. There is currently no national register (as of October 2026). You can report the location voluntarily to Definetz and ask your local emergency control centre. In some regions, control centres alert registered first responders through apps such as Mobile Retter, Region der Lebensretter or corhelper (all in German).
• Registration in Austria. You can report new locations through definetzwerk.at (in German).
• Learn resuscitation. Consider having neighbours or club members take a first aid or resuscitation course. Such courses are offered, for example, by aid organisations such as the Red Cross.

Frequently asked questions about raising money for an AED

Together for a heart-safe environment

An AED in the neighbourhood or at the club is an investment in the safety of everyone who comes there. Fortunately, there are several ways to make that investment possible.

Perhaps the municipality offers support, a local business wants to sponsor, or an existing AED can be made more accessible.

And is there still an amount you want to raise together? Then a fundraiser can help you involve neighbours, members, family, friends and businesses.