Funds & subsidies

Grants, foundations, or sponsors: what is the difference?

Grants come from the government (municipal, provincial, or national) and are tied to specific schemes with fixed criteria and application deadlines.

Foundations are private or semi-public organizations that provide funding for initiatives aligned with their objectives. Examples include the Oranje Fonds, VSBfonds, and Kansfonds. They operate using application rounds but can be more flexible regarding the projects they support.

Sponsorship is a business deal: a company provides money or resources in exchange for visibility or other benefits. It is not a donation, but an exchange.

Finding foundations that suit your needs

Not every foundation is the right fit for you. Foundations have specific objectives—such as sports, the arts, healthcare, youth, or the elderly—and only fund projects that align with those goals.

We are happy to help you brainstorm and identify foundations that support your specific activities and align with your mission.

We create a shortlist of foundations and grants that match the substance of your work. Be sure to read the criteria carefully before drafting your application.

Writing a strong funding proposal

A funding application is neither a job application letter nor a promotional brochure. It is a clear, persuasive argument that answers three questions:

1. What problem or need are you addressing?
2. What will you do, and why is it effective?
3. What do you need, and what will it be used for?

Be specific. Grant reviewers read dozens of applications; vague proposals are often rejected.

Approaching sponsorship

Sponsorship works differently than a funding application. You aren't asking a company for a donation; you are offering something in return—such as brand exposure, a logo on materials, event attendance, or access to your network.

Consider the company's perspective: what’s in it for them? Local visibility? Brand image? New contacts? Frame your proposal around their interests, not just your own needs.

Start close to home: local businesses have a reason to support local initiatives. A large, distant corporation is less likely to be interested in a small organization.

Combine funding sources

The most stable organizations don't rely on a single source of funds but rather a mix: a small grant, a fund, a sponsor, and earned income. This makes you less vulnerable if one source falls away.

Next step

Do you have an idea but aren't sure how to structure the funding? Start with a simple budget (see the download page) and work backward from there to determine what you need and where to find it. Then, schedule a appointment.