(1) Executive summary (2) Foreword (3) Our Impact-First Strategy (4) Organisational Impact (5) Capital Impact (6) Investor Impact (7) Rethinking philanthropy (8) An explorer vision: Reframing impact (9) Continuous Improvements (10) Acknowledgements

Executive summary

Foreword

Our Impact-First Strategy

Organisational Impact

Capital Impact

Investor Impact

Rethinking philanthropy

An explorer vision: Reframing impact

Continuous Improvements

Acknowledgements

Rethinking philanthropy: blending aid with strategic investments

Rethinking philanthropy

Venture philanthropy as a cornerstone
Impact Stories
Learning from the field in 2025
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Venture philanthropy as a cornerstone
Impact Stories
Learning from the field in 2025

Philanthropy is an integral part of VP Capital’s identity. We see it as a vital complement to impact investing.

In 2024, we introduced a new venture philanthropy strategy aligned with our investment priorities. Developed in close collaboration with Telos Impact – our long-standing partner and a leader in venture philanthropy – this new approach sharpens our focus and increases our impact.

Marije Rhebergen, Director of Impact and Communications: ‘In concrete terms, we now prioritise initiatives and early-stage projects that advance biodiversity, climate and social equality, while also keeping space for emergency relief. By blending venture philanthropy with a strategic investment lens, we create a diverse, future-oriented portfolio. In total, more than €1.6 million was donated throughout 2024.’

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Venture philanthropy as a cornerstone

The first and largest component of our philanthropy approach - exceeding one million euros - focuses on strategic priority areas aligned with our investment priorities and delivers impact on three levels:

Systemic impact

Funding efforts aimed at long-term, structural change that tackles the root causes of societal and environmental challenges.

Direct impact

Supporting tangible, targeted projects that make an immediate difference for a specific issue or community.

Accelerators

Backing networks and incubators that help early-stage ideas scale into high-impact organisations. These high-leverage investments fuel innovation ecosystems and turn promising concepts into investable solutions. 

In 2024, we allocated over €1 million to strategic donations, making it a cornerstone of our strategy. The budget was distributed as follows across the three impact levels.

Responding to humanitarian crises

Alongside our strategic focus, we also respond to urgent needs. In 2024, this included aid through organizations like UNICEF, UNHCR and UNRWA for people affected by conflicts in Gaza, Lebanon, and overlooked emergencies like the ongoing crisis in Sudan. ‘There, over 14 million people have been displaced, with more than 30 million in urgent need.’

To act swiftly, we partnered with UNHCR through an Emergency Fund, enabling rapid deployment of aid when and where it is most needed. ‘Our continued support ensures help reaches those in crisis – without delay.’

>> Check out UNCHR's video here.

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Giving back to our roots

We believe impact isn’t only global – it starts close to home. Through the Annetje van Puijenbroek Foundation, we support initiatives that strengthen social cohesion in the local communities of Goirle and Hilvarenbeek. ‘It is important for the family to work together with their neighbours– giving back to the place where their story began.’

Empowering the next generation to give

As a tradition, every family member aged six and up receives €6,000 annually to donate to causes close to their heart. In 2024, these ranged from refugee aid and cancer research to employment initiatives and environmental protection. ‘This way, the next generation is introduced to the family’s values early on.’

By encouraging personal engagement, we foster empathy, responsibility, and social awareness across generations – helping children grow into compassionate changemakers who understand the power of giving.

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Impact Stories

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Casa Legal

We support Casa Legal, recognising its direct impact and contribution to advancing social equity. Casa Legal helps people who face barriers in accessing justice, particularly undocumented women or victims ...

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takachar

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remove supports start-ups that develop innovative solutions for carbon dioxide removal (CDR). Through a two-stage programme, the accelerator provides selected start-ups with coaching, networking opportunities, ...

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Buzz Women

Buzz Women is a global movement dedicated to educating women and girls through innovative methods. Their “schools on wheels” programme enables them to reach even the most remote communities, delivering ...

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Learning from the field in 2025

Looking ahead, we’re deepening our engagement with philanthropic partners through longer-term collaborations built on trust and shared purpose. Promising collaborations are extended into multi-year partnerships.

‘We believe that meaningful change is rooted in lasting relationships built on trust, shared values, and a deep understanding of impact.’

- Marije Rhebergen, Director Impact & Communications

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In 2025, we’ll organise summer sessions that bring our partners together – spaces for connection, knowledge sharing, and new ideas.

‘We especially look forward to learning from organisations that work directly in the field – those with their feet firmly on the ground. Their insights are invaluable in making our philanthropy, and our impact investments, more grounded, relevant, and impactful.’

The selection process: no one-size-fits-all 

So, how do we select the projects we support? While we actively explore relevant projects, Telos Impact, conducts sourcing, in-depth screening and due diligence, assessing criteria such as strategy, governance, finances, and impact potential.

Given the diverse and often long-term nature of the impact involved, Telos Impact avoids a one-size-fits-all approach and applies a tailored, case-by-case evaluation process, leading to a curated longlist of promising projects. These are submitted to our internal donation committee — composed of Guus van Puijenbroek, Jobien Laurijssen, and Marije Rhebergen, reflecting our impact investment themes and (family) values — for final decisions. 

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