How does the contribution towards expenses work?
How does this calculation work out?
The contribution margin per device is small and varies. We therefore have to pay very close attention to how we spend our money.
The largest expense items for us are as follows:
🧑🦰Personalaufwände (approx. 60%)
As in any other organisation, a large proportion of our expenses are for salaries and social insurance.
Although we are an aid organisation, we do so much work that it would not be sustainable on a purely voluntary basis. And nobody can live on thanks alone.
Our salaries are lower than in the IT industry itself. In return, every member of the operational team gets to help other people every day. This is worth standing up for!
More info
Although we are an aid organisation, we do so much work that it would not be sustainable on a purely voluntary basis. And nobody can live on thanks alone.
Our salaries are lower than in the IT industry itself. In return, every member of the operational team gets to help other people every day. This is worth standing up for!
More info
💻 Laptop purchases (approx. 15%)
Even though we receive many devices from donations, it is usually not quite enough. Approximately 5-10% of our devices are purchased.
Here we clearly focus on laptops that otherwise have no significant value: For example, where components are missing or repairs need to be carried out.
This allows us to get hold of a basic framework for relatively little money, which we can then transform into a perspective with a lot of passion and replacement material (or at least always try to do so).
Here we clearly focus on laptops that otherwise have no significant value: For example, where components are missing or repairs need to be carried out.
This allows us to get hold of a basic framework for relatively little money, which we can then transform into a perspective with a lot of passion and replacement material (or at least always try to do so).
🛠️ Device outputs (approx. 15%)
This includes all expenses that are required to distribute our laptops: For example, replacement material, but also postage costs and our own tools.
The main cost drivers here are the replacement components for laptops. We buy batteries, hard drives and additional RAM on a fairly regular basis.
To make our daily work easier, we also invest a lot in tools that simplify our work. We have countless adapters, charging cables and other technical accessories with which we can get a lot out of our work.
The main cost drivers here are the replacement components for laptops. We buy batteries, hard drives and additional RAM on a fairly regular basis.
To make our daily work easier, we also invest a lot in tools that simplify our work. We have countless adapters, charging cables and other technical accessories with which we can get a lot out of our work.
📊 Other
We also have to pay rent, but we also have to pay insurance and sometimes also spend money on marketing and memberships.
One of the largest items here is the rent we have to pay for our locations. Our organisation does not have any properties of its own that can be used to develop our work. However, we are doing well at all of our locations and are happy to be able to keep working space.
One of the largest items here is the rent we have to pay for our locations. Our organisation does not have any properties of its own that can be used to develop our work. However, we are doing well at all of our locations and are happy to be able to keep working space.
What does the financial planning look like?
The typical course of a club year can be divided into four quarters:
Jan - Mar: Start of operations
🛠️Operativ
At the start of the year, we take on projects that we know will take a lot of time. This includes large software projects, for example, which are usually handled on a cross-divisional basis.
The entire budgeting process also belongs here. Together, the operational team looks at where investments should be made in the coming year and where investments can be made in line with the budget.
💵 Financial
Large bills are paid at the beginning of the year. From the end of February, expenditure slowly decreases again.
At the start of the year, we take on projects that we know will take a lot of time. This includes large software projects, for example, which are usually handled on a cross-divisional basis.
The entire budgeting process also belongs here. Together, the operational team looks at where investments should be made in the coming year and where investments can be made in line with the budget.
💵 Financial
Large bills are paid at the beginning of the year. From the end of February, expenditure slowly decreases again.
Apr - June: Preparation peak season
🛠️Operativ
Stock up, take quality measures and make personnel preparations: Summer is just around the corner.
The second quarter is usually the test for the following summer. Are our processes right and do we have enough staff to cope with the big rush? These are the key questions we ask ourselves here.
💵 Financial
During these months, we procure what we will need in the coming months. Accordingly, expenditure is higher than usual.
Stock up, take quality measures and make personnel preparations: Summer is just around the corner.
The second quarter is usually the test for the following summer. Are our processes right and do we have enough staff to cope with the big rush? These are the key questions we ask ourselves here.
💵 Financial
During these months, we procure what we will need in the coming months. Accordingly, expenditure is higher than usual.
July - Sept: High season
🛠️Operativ
The time when apprenticeships start and the starting signal for many school careers: Summer is the busiest time for us. So it can easily be the case that we send out over 250 per week for several weeks.
There is rarely time for projects, as the effective work of our organisation takes centre stage during these months. Everyone pitches in here, as our new interns usually start their time with us at the same time.
💵 Financial
This is where the majority of our income is generated. Expenditure is disproportionately high only because we distribute more devices.
The time when apprenticeships start and the starting signal for many school careers: Summer is the busiest time for us. So it can easily be the case that we send out over 250 per week for several weeks.
There is rarely time for projects, as the effective work of our organisation takes centre stage during these months. Everyone pitches in here, as our new interns usually start their time with us at the same time.
💵 Financial
This is where the majority of our income is generated. Expenditure is disproportionately high only because we distribute more devices.
Oct - Dec: Tidying up and locking up
🛠️Operativ
Stocktaking and review: What went well and what needs to be improved?
The years pass quickly at wLw. This makes it all the more important that we also take time to process what has happened. The first preparations are already underway these months to tackle the next year.
And yes: between Christmas and New Year, even our team enjoys two weeks' holiday. Because this is almost impossible during the year.
💵 Financial
Large expenses again (13th month's wages and final invoices)
Stocktaking and review: What went well and what needs to be improved?
The years pass quickly at wLw. This makes it all the more important that we also take time to process what has happened. The first preparations are already underway these months to tackle the next year.
And yes: between Christmas and New Year, even our team enjoys two weeks' holiday. Because this is almost impossible during the year.
💵 Financial
Large expenses again (13th month's wages and final invoices)
More information
All invoices and budgets from previous years can be found in the Wiki section of the association's annual reports - for anyone who wants to take a closer look!
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