We are a learning community; we try to figure everything out as best we can. But of course, we don’t know everything. We are eager to learn from engaged and knowledgeable website visitors. We are open to advice, feedback, support and collaboration.
About us
As Doneer Effectief, we want to support the most effective approaches and the best charities in the world. Therefore, with every euro we can achieve a multitude of what an average charity can do.
Who we are
Donate Effectively started as a group of volunteers with different backgrounds and competencies. In addition to work, study and other commitments, we spend a lot of time building our organization. Almost everyone works voluntarily.
The team
Douce van Beukering
Financial Administration lead
Douce runs her own administration office and with a small team she takes care of administration and tax affairs of a beautiful and diverse group of clients in the small and medium size business sector. She also likes to swim, sail and travel.
“A meeting of the 10%club has made me enthusiastic about the goals of Doneer Effectief. Especially the fact that Doneer Effectief continuously strives for the most efficient and effective way of donating is very dear to me. It has fueled the fire to give eve more meaning to my life.”
Bram Schaper
Executive Director
‘Action and reflection: everything with intention.’
Bram studied computer science, business administration and majored in applied behavioural analysis. He then worked for NS for fourteen years in various senior management positions. Bram made a career switch to creating more impact for a better world.
“In 2019 I listened to a podcast on “doing good better”, an explanation of effective altruism. I was struck by the optimism and huge potential to do more good (a thoughtful donation really does make a difference!). I am grateful that I also get to spend my working hours helping to solve the most pressing problems of our time. Will you join me?”
Martijn Broer
Operations director
Per October 1st, 2023, Martijn will take on responsibility for internal processes. Martijn has a broad and internationally oriented educational and professional background related to IT, and now wants to use his knowledge and experience to contribute to society.
“Effective altruïsm shows that we can do more than giving with good intentions: by looking closely at impact and being transparent about considerations, results and learning points, we can with confidence really contribute to a better world.”
Lotte de Lint
Research and development
Lotte recently completed her Bachelor’s degree in Industrial Design. During her studies she worked on a tool that helps people donate effectively. She is now working on her Master in Human Decision Science.
“I was always an idealist who wanted to do good. In effective altruism, I found rationalism, critical thinking and a systematic approach that I often find lacking in many other attempts to improve the world.”
Jan Commissaris
Ethics and Policy
Jan studied philosophy, theology and social science. He received his doctorate with a dissertation on prophetic planning. Jan worked in higher education as a director and an ethics and educational development consultant, among other positions.
“My pursuit of justice and doing good for all is evident in my studies and work. Effective Altruism fits perfectly with that.”
Daan de Jong
Process quality and international relations
As a technical physician and health scientist, Daan has always been drawn to healthcare. After his doctoral research on patients with Alzheimer’s disease, he now works as a capacity management consultant in a teaching hospital.
“While participating in the National ThinkTank, I discovered how important I think it is to approach and address problems based on analysis and a systemic perspective. This comes together for me in Effective Altruism.”
Brendan Hadden
Content creation and education
As a content specialist, Brendan holds the role of producer and host for Effectief Doneren, the podcast. Brendan has a bachelor’s degree in history (University of Groningen) and a master’s degree in journalism (Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam). He currently works as a multimedia editor at the Open University on educational content.
“I was introduced to effective altruism through Sam Harris’ podcast episode with Will MacAskill. Later it came closer to home through Rutger Bregman and Jesse Frederik’s podcast. I hope by making a Dutch-language podcast I can have the same effect on others.”
Patrick Mesman
Digital Support
Patrick has a degree in business computer science and works in daily life as a Director People and Culture for a business IT service provider. In his career, he has long been socially active and involved as a volunteer.
“I was recently introduced to Effective Altruism. I have been involved in ‘doing good’ for a long time and can very much identify with EA’s thought leadership. All the more reason to delve further into it and also volunteer for it.”
Wendy van der Werff
Office manager
Wendy works at NS as a service employee. As a colleague at NS, she started talking to Bram about the Donate Effectively foundation and Wendy surprisingly found that the mindset of Effective Altruism matched her own ideas about doing good. She is helping the foundation with its (financial) administration and donor contacts via the helpdesk.
“For some time now, I have been thinking about how to do something good in my spare time. I have a wide range of interests, which doesn’t make the choice any easier. The foundation’s broad range of focus areas combined with a rational view of the world makes me eager to get involved in Donate Effectively.”
Annemiek Bosboom
Advisor Major Gifts
Annemiek has completed an MSc related to Rural Development Sociology at Wageningen University & Research. She has almost 20 years of work experience in the field of fund management and sustainability, within both the non-profit and the corporate sector. She has worked at the National Commission for Sustainable Development and International Cooperation and at the advisory branch of PwC. Since 2021 she has been working as an advisor in the field of philanthropy and active in, among others, advising family funds.
“Effective Altruism sharpens my moral compass with which I navigate through the world of charities and try to make balanced donation choices. In particular, the call not to be guided by your intuition, but rather to look at donating in a rational manner, appeals to me very much. I see enormous potential for the movement in the Netherlands and hope to be able to contribute to this in my role as an advisor for major donors.”
Fiona Gallagher
Content translator
Fiona holds a BSc in Physics (University College Dublin) and a MSc in Computational Science (University of Amsterdam). She moved to the Netherlands in 2019 for her studies and quickly fell in love with the country. She has been working as a geoscientist for the last year developing software to help us study our planet. She hopes to make information about effective donation accessible to expats in the Netherlands.
“I first heard about effective altruism in 2019 when I stumbled across the career advice organisation 80,000 Hours. It appealed to both my rational and emotional sides. If you are going to try to help others, why not ensure your efforts are as effective as possible?”
Tim Kemp
Backend Developer
Tim studied Technical Mathematics (BSc) and Computer Science (MSc) and is currently working as a software developer. He helps Doneer Effectively integrate various IT systems.
“I first came across effective altruism a few years ago through the book Doing Good Better. Nowadays, I still marvel at the enormous potential of the most impactful charities. I love contributing to making these charities more accessible.”
Ivo de Clercq
Marketing / Campaigns
After completing his master’s degree in Communication Science, Ivo went to work for large organisations to make marketing more effective. He helped charities like the Red Cross but also commercial parties like Knab Bank and Douwe Egberts achieve measurable online results. It turned out he got the most motivation from helping organisations make the world a bit nicer. So he set up a marketing agency to do just that (Aanpoters). He now uses the accumulated experience to grow Doneer Effectively. In marketing, Ivo believes that, just as with charities, the effect must be strictly considered. That is why he does not base his choices on assumptions but looks at data and experiments.
“Determined to do as much good as possible with my time, money and skills. That’s why I use my marketing expertise to help Donate Effectively grow. In the most effective way possible, of course. By looking closely at data and running experiments, I want to find out how we can make the most impact.”
Jan Anne Amelink
Portfolio manager & International Cooperation
In his childhood, Jan Anne played guitar every Queen’s Day for the World Wildlife Fund. That’s where his passions came together: creativity, climate, doing good and business. After a Masters in Management, he now uses these same core values to bring sustainable change to business. He currently does this as Project Manager for the board of Nyenrode Business University, where he is responsible for the strategy implementation and sustainability of the university.
“Doing good is done with your heart and your head, and Doneer Effectief brings both together in a powerful & accessible way. Wonderful to build a better world for people, animals and nature with all donors and international partner organisations.”
Fianna Nieuwenstein
Online Marketeer
After finishing her degree in Communication Science at VU Amsterdam, Fianna worked on digital campaigns for several media agencies. In 2018 she switched to work for a big Dutch bank, where she refined her online marketing skills even further. Now she combines her job with using her expertise for Doneer Effectief.
“I want to leave this world in a better shape than how I entered it.”
The board
Joost Thus
Board Member
Originally I am a change agent and in that capacity, I ran a children’s home in Sri Lanka for a few years. There I was trained as a marketer in the evenings online and, after returning to the Netherlands, moved in a new direction. I now spend most of my time organizing the branding and communications of Respace, through which we transform vacant buildings with wood into homes. In addition to my job at Respace, I am involved in a number of community organizations active in improving the lives of vulnerable families in Sri Lanka and focusing on climate issues.
“Experiencing meaning is the most important thing in human life. It actually arises very easily when we know that we have helped others further. Leading a happy life thus becomes very easy, you just have to be sure that you are contributing to the lives of beings who need your time and money more than yourself.”
Andrea de Wildt
Chair
Andrea is initiator and chair. Among other things, she was a medical advisor at the ZorgInstituut Nederland (previously the Ziekenfondsraad), GGZ administrator, consultant and interim manager. Andrea was trained as a physician, psychiatrist and social physician.
“I am familiar with evidence-based and cost-effective action from my work in healthcare. As a donor, I also want to know what works well and to what degree. That is why I started Doneer Effectief.”
Eva de Groot
Secretary
After studying Liberal Arts & Sciences and Nutrition & Health, Eva became motivated to contribute to the health and happiness of others through sound evidence and analysis. She does this in addition to the board of Doneer Effectively in her job as a consultant monitoring and evaluating international development projects at consultancy firm Ecorys.
“When I read about effective altruism when I was somewhere remote in Rwanda it gave me an insight into how I as a donor can really make a difference for another person. By working with Doneer Effectief I hope to convey that to others.”
Thijs Jan Noomen
Treasurer
Thijs Jan has a background as an economist and has worked in the rail sector in various senior management positions since 1996. Both in his work and outside it, he is looking for maximum effectiveness. Therefore, he is happy to contribute to maximising the impact of donations through a board position at Doneer Effectief.
“In essence, managing a large portfolio of projects and programmes to achieve the goals of a large organisation is no different from managing a large flow of donations. Both are necessary. And fun.”
Learning community
Relationship to Effective Altruism
Our foundation is a completely independent entity. However, we do take inspiration from useful principles used within Effective Altruism when assessing effectiveness.
Foundation
We are a non-profit foundation. Our principle is that donations go entirely to the chosen cause. That way, as a donor, you know that we don’t use your money for anything else. We fund our operating costs differently, with donations and grants to keep the Foundation running. This is how we ensure that donating to the most effective charities becomes better known, easier and, above all, more commonplace.
What we do
We help you support the most effective approaches and the best charities in the world. They achieve with every euro a multiple of what an average charity does with it. Our selection of these top charities is based on scientific research and extensive evaluations. Precisely because every life counts and the future of the planet is very close to our hearts, we want to find and support the best aid organizations.We help you support the most effective approaches and the best charities in the world. They achieve with every euro a multiple of what an average charity does with it. Our selection of these top charities is based on scientific research and extensive evaluations. Precisely because every life counts and the future of the planet is very close to our hearts, we want to find and support the best aid organizations.
Independent information
Many charities try to persuade you to donate to them. From our independent position, we are happy to explain to you how to make an effective choice. This is important, because even money you give away can only be spent once.
Donate easily
Through our website, you donate to funds and charities rated as most effective by independent, scientific research institutions. From your donation, 100% goes to the charity.
Personal advice
Thoughtful donations can raise questions. About our methods, our funds, major gifts or tax deductions. Through our helpdesk we offer personal, free and independent advice. We are happy to help you on your way by answering all your questions with care and attention.
This sets us apart
Help to solve major world problems.
Donate to the most effective charities worldwide.
Support charities based on scientific research.
The donated amount goes entirely to charity.
Independent and free personal advice through our help desk.
Easily donate with your Dutch or Belgian bank account
Results, transparency and policy
We provide full disclosure about the donations we receive and which top charities we support with them. You will also find more information about how the foundation is funded, how we are audited and how we handle your privacy.
Year
Quarter
Fund
Number of donations
Percentage
Amount
Currently our annual report is only published in Dutch.
If you would be interested in the English version of the report, please leave you email address here
Jaarverslagen
ANBI-verslagen
The above results include all donations raised for the most effective charities worldwide. We also receive donations and grants specific to our operation. We keep these cash flows strictly separate. More information about the donations and grants for our foundation and how they are spent can be found in our annual report. In addition, you can find our ANBI publication requirement 2022 here.
Funding
Doneer Effectief is funded by direct donations from individuals, but overwhelmingly by grants from philanthropic foundations. To date, our largest funder is the Center for Effective Altruism.
It allows us to maintain our organization and donation platform without charging fees from donors. We also never charge fees for education or consulting work.
In particular, philanthropic grants allow us to spend our time providing the best information to donors, rather than fundraising for ourselves.
At the same time, the fact that our funding is limited to a few key funders brings with it a certain amount of risk. We aim to further diversify our funding sources in the future.
Our expenses
The above results include all donations raised for the most effective charities worldwide. We also receive donations and grants specific to our operation. We keep these cash flows strictly separate. You can read more information below or in our annual report. In addition, you can find our 2022 ANBI disclosure requirement here.
Personnel costs director
On August 1, 2022 our Director Bram Schaper joined our Foundation as our first employee. We are fortunate to have found in him an experienced manager, who puts his heart and soul into Doneer Effectief. In determining the salary we have based ourselves on the remuneration scheme for directors of the branch organization Goede DoelenNederland. The gross salary for the director amounts to € 75,168 per year, including a vacation allowance of 8%. Included in the salary is a compensation for a pension; the employee has indicated to take care of this himself. Not included is the employer’s contribution, which for the fiscal year amounted to €5,346. The director also receives a fixed expense allowance of €200 per month, based on a statement of actual costs, including telephone, laptop use and commuting. A private use of 50% has been taken into account.
Supervision and control
Thanks to funding from (especially) large philanthropic foundations, our work is audited and evaluated by independent experts in the field, enabling us to meet high standards.
In addition, we have our financial statements externally audited by a chartered accountant. We received an unqualified auditor’s report on our first financial statements (2022).
Finally, we strive to be transparent, open to feedback and admit mistakes made.
Your privacy
It is important to us that donors and legacies are satisfied with our service. We respect your privacy and (therefore) also do a number of things not: – No SPAM in your mailbox – No (external) fundraisers – No unwanted phone calls – No begging letters – No complicated termination procedure
Our ambassadors
Read why our ambassadors think effective donation is important and support it here.
“A few years ago I took the plunge: I pledged to donate at least 10 percent of my future income and carefully consider my donation decisions.”
Rutger Bregman
Historian and author
“In essence, you take out a subscription here to make the world a better place”
Renée Frissen
Co-founder Ten Percent Club and Director at OpenEmbassy
“If I ask people to guess which charities are most effective they perform worse than a monkey who gambles randomly. So it is important that we base our decisions on evidence-based research.”
Paul Smeets
Professor in Philanthropy and Sustainable Finance
“Make three pots: one for yourself and your loved ones, one for charities you feel (emotionally) involved with, and one that solely depends on the impact of your donation.”
Stijn Bruers
Moral philosopher and rational ethicist
“I don’t give because of charity, but from a deep-seated sense of justice.”
Frits Petit
Advocate for greater equity of opportunity
“We know that our empathic moral compass is extremely flawed. That’s why we have to look carefully at where we can make the most difference with our limited resources.”
Tim Fransen
Cabaret artist & Philosopher
Our partners
Effectief Altruïsme Nederland is part of the global effective altruism movement.
The Centre for Effective Altruism (CEA) exists to support and grow the effective altruism movement.
The Ten Percent Club is a community of people who want to get better at donating effectively. If you want to meet like-minded people, come to one of their meetings!
Giving What We Can is an organisation of effective givers. They provide support, information and community to enable their members to do as much good as possible with their donations.
Our European colleagues
Several other European countries are host to organisations like us which promote and facilitate donations to effective charities. Our shared vision has led to the beginnings of collaboration. We’d like to extend our gratitude in particular to our German colleague Sebastian Schwiecker from Effectiv Spenden for his support. We have benefited greatly and gratefully from his experience and materials.
