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In 2021, an initial meeting took place between the Rotterdam Foundation and a number of other Protestant Christian equity funds about how funds could more support the social commitment of the international and migrant churches. Over the past four years, we have built a growing collaboration. What role can an equity fund play in strengthening society? A practical example.

First of all, why does the Rotterdam Foundation focus on the international churches in the Netherlands? All kinds of research show that the social commitment of this growing group of churches is of great importance. The churches enjoy trust within their communities, do a lot of socially relevant work on a largely voluntary basis (an estimated 75% of international churches do not employ paid staff), and reach people who are unable to reach the official bodies or less effectively. At the same time, the financial capacity of some international churches is limited. By strengthening their fundraising and administration capacities, they will have greater access to fund-funded financial support, enabling them to do more for their communities and wider society. This is of course a great opportunity for the Rotterdam Foundation and other funds to strengthen the soft forces in society: motivated volunteers and their organizations that care for people in a vulnerable position.

Four years later, the 2021 initiative has grown into a great example of the power of collaboration. The need for more cooperation arose immediately during the first meeting: the funds concluded that it would be good to seek cooperation with SOFAK and SKIN. SOFAK (Foundation Support Fund for Immigrant Churches, the name given to the fund when it was founded in the 90s) is a fund for international and migrant churches, and SKIN (Samen Kerk in Nederland) is the national umbrella organization to which 213 international and migrant churches are affiliated.

At the beginning of 2025, the funds and SKIN met again to take stock and discuss follow-up plans. What has been achieved in the meantime, and how can we continue to respond to current social developments? Madelon Grant, general coordinator at SKIN: “It is nice to see that the funds and the churches are getting to know each other better. For many churches we have supported in recent years, fundraising was something new. Some churches simply did not know about the existence of funds and how fundraising works. Others were reluctant to ask for money, while they developed very nice initiatives that fit in well with funds and could use a helping hand. For many funds, the international churches in the Netherlands were a relatively new target group that they wanted to support, but did not know how to reach them and what their needs and possibilities were. Sometimes applications did not meet the criteria. The collaboration through SOFAK has created more awareness and understanding on both sides. Thanks to the capacity strengthening by SKIN, more and better applications are received at the SOFAK desk, and so the social commitment of these churches can flourish better.”

Churches are very different, and so are funds. What both share is the motivation to look after people who, for whatever reason, find themselves in a vulnerable situation. Some funds support churches to reach people in need through them; Other funds also support the building of the church community itself. In the collaboration through SOFAK, these different perspectives can complement each other well.

Madelon Grant: “In the conversation with funds, it is always good that funds ask critical questions to social initiatives. This sharpens us to keep reflecting: why do we do what we do, why do we think it works, and do we actually check enough whether our assumptions are correct? These questions can help us to think more strategically about social developments and to creatively look for ways of working that really work to help people move forward! Conversely, social partners can also feed the funds with practical information. The international churches are very different. So-called ‘one generation churches’ help newcomers to build their lives in a new country. Some of these churches continue to exist, others stop at some point, for example because young people leave and no more newcomers come in. Government policy affects communities differently: churches with refugees or undocumented migrants face different challenges than churches with roots in the former colonies. In this way, new social questions always arise that society and therefore also the church communities must respond to. But at the heart of all initiatives is mutual care and community spirit, and that makes them of great value in this time of individualization and increasing loneliness.”

The knowledge that SOFAK and SKIN have about the international and migrant churches feeds the funds in their thinking and policy. In addition, these organizations, which have been known and trusted by many churches for years, can form a bridge to the funds. In this way, an equity fund can not only identify and boost social developments, but hopefully also contribute to mutual relationships of trust.

As of 4 December 2024, Dr Klaske J. Vliegenthart-Jongbloed MSc has been appointed as a board member of Stichting Rotterdam.

Sad but grateful for her person and commitment, we reflect on the passing of Maartje Bonda, board member for life of the Rotterdam Foundation.

Maartje has dedicated her life to the perspective of mercy and justice for the whole world. Like her father Harry Bonda, she found the inspiration for this in the Gospel. The elaboration of this meant her lifelong commitment as secretary and board member of the Rotterdam Foundation.

Based on a strong conviction of the importance of the Protestant tradition for people and society, she participated critically in the assessment and awarding of project applications. Partly thanks to her efforts, numerous – mostly diaconal projects for vulnerable groups – have been realized. The way in which she did this, with sharpness, inner involvement and real interest in others, and often a generous smile, remains a grateful memory and inspiration for our board as we continue the work.

On behalf of the board,

Ron Rijnbende, chairman

Effective March 3, 2022, Ms. Dr. F. Stark has been appointed to the board of the Rotterdam Foundation.

By Prof. Dr Thijs Tromp. Download the PDF in Dutch.

Dr Thijs Tromp – special professor of diaconate at PThU – gave his inaugural speech on Friday 16 October 2020.

Download the PDF here.
Watch on YouTube here. 
Download the audio MP3 here (29mb). 

How is Stichting Rotterdam affected by the Corona virus?
Download the PDF in Dutch here.

Everyone needs to manage their finances and many people can use a helping hand. For a fresh look at your money, a better overview, and insight into your financial housekeeping. With this in mind, we offer churches and organizations the In.Kas course, through a starter package. We’re happy to share our experience, so that more people can support each other in day-to-day financial matters. 

Website > www.inkas.amsterdam
Summary in Dutch here.

The Special Chair for Diaconate at the Protestant Theological University was established on 1 September 2007. Stichting Rotterdam finances the Chair, which was held until 2018 by Herman Noordegraaf. Thijs Tromp will be appointed from 1 September 2019. See the press release 25 April 2019 in Dutch here.

On May 27, 2019, George Hooijer hopes to defend his dissertation publicly. The ceremony is scheduled for 1.45 pm in the auditorium of the VU in Amsterdam. A short summary of his dissertation in Dutch can be found here.

On March 7, 2018, Prof. H. Noordegraaf, professor of diaconate at the Protestant Theological University, and board member of Stichting Rotterdam, will present the research he conducted in recent years into Diaconal Development in Amsterdam. You can download the report in Dutch for the period 2014 – 2017 here. 

As per the first of January 2017 Ms drs. M.A. Grant has been appointed to boardmember of Stichting Rotterdam.

Madelon Grant is taking over the boardseat from Duca de Bruijn who was a board member since January 2007.

As per the first of January 2017 Mr W.P. de Pater RA has been appointed to treasurer of Stichting Rotterdam.

Peter de Pater is taking over from Henk Wiegers who has been treasurer since January 1993.

As per the first of January 2016 Mr drs. R.J. Rijnbende has been appointed to chairman of Stichting Rotterdam.

Ron Rijnbende is taking over the chair from Hans Bruning who was acting chairman since October 2009.

Suzanne Kooij, Ars Memorandi. Download this report in PDF format in Dutch via this link.

On Thursday 6 December 2012 the Protestant Theological University celebrated the anniversary of its foundation day. Prof. Mechteld Jansen delivered the Foundation Day Address. During the discussion following this address entitled ‘Volk en elite‘, reference was made to the Diaconal Lecture 2012. For the text of this lecture in Dutch please click here.

On Friday 5 October 2012, Prof. Herman Noordegraaf presented his study Kerken en WMO, terugblik en perspectief (Churches and the Social Support Act (WMO), retrospective and perspective) during a seminar at the Protestant National Service Centre in Utrecht.

To download the study report in PDF format in Dutch please click here.

The Special Chair for Diaconate at the Protestant Theological University has been instituted for a period of five years as of 1 September 2007.

Stichting Rotterdam is funding the chair and has also provided funds for the employment of a trainee researcher/PhD student. With the establishment of the chair and the appointment of Dr Herman Noordegraaf the foundation aims to promote academic thought on the diaconal actions of churches. It expects that diaconal practice will gain new impetus from the creation of the chair.

Prof. Noordegraaf held his oration in Leiden on 25 April 2008, entitled: Voor wie nemen wij de hoed af? (For whom do we remove our hats?)

The text of this first Diaconal Lecture can be downloaded in Dutch via this link.

The 14th Diaconal Lecture was given in 2022 by Thijs Tromp, the new Professor for Diaconate, by special appointment, at the Protestant Theological University PTHU. Download the PowerPoint here (Dutch).

The 13th Diaconal Lecture was held on Saturday 7 November by Erica Meijers, assistant professor of Diaconate at the Protestant Theological University. The lecture was also held this year on Kerk in Actie’s National Diaconal Day.

An online event packed with speakers, webinars, musical performances and interactive sessions. More information can be found via the following links

Download the PDF in Dutch here.

Watch on YouTube here.

The 12th Diaconal Lecture will be given this year by Thijs Tromp, the new Professor for Diaconate, by special appointment, at the Protestant Theological University PTHU. Over the next five years, he will investigate the role that the diaconate can play in reducing social exclusion and promoting inclusion in church, care and society. “Social exclusion is a major threat to the sense of dignity of vulnerable people in society. Not counting in society puts pressure on a person’s sense of ‘being meaningful'”. Inclusion can be an answer, but how? And how can the diaconate contribute to inclusion? In this diaconal lecture, Thijs Tromp will be happy to talk with you about your experiences, questions and ideas. The lecture will be held this year during the National Diaconal Day on Saturday, November 9, 2019 in Utrecht. For more information in Dutch  > download here. 

The 11th Diaconal Lecture “Christian migrant communities and indigenous church communities; allies in diaconate?” will be held this year during the National Diaconal Day on Saturday, November 10, 2018. The lecture is available in Dutch here. The PowerPoint presentation in Dutch can be downloaded here.

The 10th Diaconal Lecture “Towards an inclusive society – the role of the diaconate. An exploration” was held this year by Prof.dr. H. Noordegraaf during the National Diaconal Day on Saturday 11 November. The lecture in Dutch is available here.

On Friday 7 October 2016 drs. Ineke Bakker delivered the 9th Diaconial Lecture. This lecture was titled ‘Wie niet op weg gaat, komt nergens.’ and is available in Dutch via this link.

On Friday 9 October 2015, Prof. Herman Noordegraaf delivered the 8th Diaconal Lecture for Stichting Rotterdam. This lecture is here available in PDF format in Dutch.

On Friday 12 September 2014, George Hooijer delivered the 7th Diaconal Lecture for Stichting Rotterdam. George Hooijer had been working at Stichting Rotterdam since 1993 and stepped down on 12 September 2014 due to retirement. 

The 7th Diaconal Lecture is available in PDF format in Dutch via this link.

The annual Diaconal Lecture was held on Wednesday 11 December. Prof. Herman Noordegraaf introduced the guest speaker Rev. Dr Carlos Ham, who worked at the World Council of Churches, Geneva until the end of 2013.

The theme of his lecture is:

‘Transformative Diakonia in a Rapidly Changing World’
The 6th lecture is available in PDF format here.

The Diaconal Lecture 2012 was held on Wednesday 31 October in the Gertrudiskapel (In de Driehoek, Willemsplantsoen 1c, Utrecht). Prof. Herman Noordegraaf presented the framework of research by the PhD students Herman van Well and Bert Roor. Following this they both gave a presentation of their work. 

For the 5th Diaconal Lecture in PDF format in Dutch please click here.

The Diaconal Lecture 2011 was held in Utrecht on Wednesday 2 November 2011. The title is: Diaconaat en het ouder worden van kerk en samenleving (Diaconate and the greying of church and society). Here Hans de Waal sets out the main lines of his research into diaconate and the elderly. The lecture is available in printed form for as long as stocks last.

The text of this 4th lecture is available as a PDF download in Dutch here.

Kerken en Wmo, kansen, uitdagingen en voorwaarden (Churches and the Social Support Act (WMO) is the title of the lecture delivered by Prof. Herman Noordegraaf in Utrecht on Friday 15 October 2010. The integral text of the 3rd Diaconal Lecture in Dutch can be downloaded via this link.

On Friday 23 October 2009, Stichting Rotterdam organized the 2nd Diaconal Lecture in the Gertrudiskapel in Utrecht. The lecture was delivered by Prof. Herman Noordegraaf and was entitled: De diaconale C-factor, de betekenis van Calvijn voor het diaconaat (The diaconal C factor, the significance of Calvin for the diaconate).

Calvin’s 500th birthday took place in 2009 and the event attracted a great deal of attention. What is less well-known is that this reformer, in his efforts to renew the Christian faith and the church, also put strong emphasis on the diaconate and the socio-economic issues of his age. We see this reflected in his theology and in the church practices he advocated.

Nienke van Dijk, (former) director of STEK, Foundation for City & Church, The Hague, and – the late – Dr Jurjen Beumer, preacher/director of the Ecumenical Diaconal Centre Stem in de Stad, Haarlem, provided responses based on their working practice.

The integral text of the lectures can be downloaded in Dutch via this link.