The VDK maintains and preserves more than 830 war gravesites in 46 countries with more than 2.8 million war dead. What began in direct response to the First World War as a citizens' initiative to establish and maintain resting places for fallen soldiers and other war victims is today an internationally networked humanitarian organization. On behalf of the Federal Republic of Germany, it maintains the war graves in memory of the dead, as a reminder for the living, as places of peace education for future generations and as a call for peace, reconciliation and international understanding.

The Volksbund is 80 percent financed by membership fees and donations.The rest is covered by public funds from the federal and state governments.The annual collection of donations thus makes an important contribution.