DOEN Foundation: Supporting Sustainable Projects in Netherlands

Enriched family-office · Found: 2026-03-11 08:11

The DOEN Foundation began in 1991 with backing from the Dutch Postcode Lottery. · It provides funding for sustainable, social, and cultural innovation projects.

Source: https://impactdots.com/blog/doen-foundation-supporting-sustainable-projects-in-netherlands/

Funding Details

Funder

DOEN Foundation (Stichting DOEN)

Funding Goal

Supporting innovative pioneers working toward a circular economy, social inclusion, and creative imagination — funding sustainable, social, and cultural innovation projects primarily in the Netherlands and select international regions.

Funding Amount

€500–€5,000 for community projects (Buurtfonds); up to €100,000–€500,000 for larger initiatives via DOEN Foundation and VriendenLoterij Fonds; larger investments via DOEN Ventures separately (500 € – 500.000 €)

Deadline

Rolling basis, year-round applications accepted (Rolling)

How to Apply

1. Complete the online Quickscan tool on doen.nl to assess eligibility. 2. Create an account in the "My DOEN" portal (aanvraag.doen.nl). 3. Fill out the online application form with a SMART project plan and realistic budget. 4. Upload required documents. 5. DOEN reviews the application (approximately 4 months processing time). 6. If promising, DOEN contacts applicants for additional information. 7. Approved initiatives may use the DOEN logo for communications.

Target Region

Netherlands (primary), East Africa (Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania), Dutch Caribbean (ABCSSS Islands)

Contact

Email: info@doen.nl | Website: www.doen.nl | Location: Amsterdam, Netherlands

Official Page

https://www.doen.nl/en

Last Checked

2026-03-11 22:21

Application Checklist

Eligibility

• Applicant must be a legal entity (no individual applications accepted)
• Organization must not have free reserves exceeding 1.5x annual operational costs

Project Scope

• Project must align with at least one of three themes: Regenerative Economy, Solidarity Society, or Transformative Power of Imagination

Required Documents

• Submit application via official online portal at aanvraag.doen.nl with organizational (not personal) email
• Provide a clear SMART plan with realistic budget and transparent governance structure

Constraints

• Application must be submitted at least 4 months before project start date
• Project must not be purely commercial, standalone research, emergency relief, or political/religious in nature

Summary

The DOEN Foundation (Stichting DOEN), established in 1991, is a Dutch foundation funded by the Postcode Loterij and VriendenLoterij lotteries. Headquartered in Amsterdam, it describes itself as a "catalyst for pioneers" and supports innovative initiatives that accelerate the transition to a circular economy. The foundation operates across three thematic pillars: Regenerative Economy (green/environmental), Solidarity Society (social inclusion), and Transformative Power of Imagination (arts and culture). It manages approximately €180 million in impact investments through DOEN Participaties BV. The foundation offers grants (straight, matching, and reimbursable), loans, and equity investments. Funding typically ranges from €500 to €500,000 depending on the program stream. The Postcode Loterij Buurtfonds offers smaller community grants of €500–€5,000, while the main DOEN Foundation and VriendenLoterij Fonds support larger initiatives up to €500,000. DOEN Ventures handles even larger-scale investments separately. Geographic focus is primarily the Netherlands, with international programs in East Africa (Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania) and the Dutch Caribbean (ABCSSS Islands). Applications are accepted year-round and must be submitted at least four months before project start. Applicants must be legal entities with clear governance structures and realistic budgets. Organizations with excessive free reserves (over 1.5x annual operational costs) are ineligible. DOEN explicitly excludes funding for purely commercial ventures, standalone research, conferences, emergency relief, government entities, and political or religious initiatives. The foundation emphasizes entrepreneurial, innovative solutions that can inspire systemic change.

Historical Context

Founded in 1991 with backing from the Dutch Postcode Lottery. BankGiro Loterij joined in 2004 and FriendsLottery (VriendenLoterij) began contributions in 1998. The lottery partners provided approximately €30 million in 2012. The foundation manages roughly €180 million in impact investments through DOEN Participaties BV.

Sources

• https://impactdots.com/blog/doen-foundation-supporting-sustainable-projects-in-netherlands/
• https://www.doen.nl/en
• https://www.doen.nl/en/applications/
• https://www.doen.nl/en/what-we-do
• https://www.doen.nl/en/what-we-do/regenerative-economy
• https://www.doen.nl/en/faq
• https://www.doen.nl/aanvraag-doen/veelgestelde-vragen/
• https://www.doen.nl/aanvraag-doen/criteria/

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