Oogfonds

What Oogfonds does

Stichting Oogfonds Nederland (Oogfonds), founded in 1947 and headquartered in Maarssen, Netherlands, is a Dutch charitable foundation (stichting) operating as the national fundraiser for blindness, visual impairment, and eye diseases in the Netherlands. The organization funds scientific eye research at leading Dutch and Belgian academic medical centers — including work on glaucoma, macular degeneration, regenerative medicine, gene therapy, and stem cell therapy — through a Scientific Advisory Board (WAR) chaired by Prof. dr. Carroll Webers and composed of ophthalmologists from Maastricht UMC, Amsterdam UMC, Leiden UMC, Radboudumc, Erasmus MC, and UMC Utrecht. It also delivers public education on eye health, prevention (e.g., the 20-20-2 rule for myopia), and early detection through its Ogenblik magazine, brochures, online eye-disease simulator and self-test, an expanded school lesson package (grades 1–5, 2025), and accessibility features such as ReadSpeaker.

Revenue is generated through individual donations (one-time gifts of €15/€25/€50, monthly recurring from €5, ANBI-structured 5+ year periodic gift agreements, and bequests), recurring channel funding from lottery partnerships with the VriendenLoterij (since 2008) and the Nationale Postcode Loterij (each directing a minimum of 40% of ticket proceeds), corporate CSR and cause-marketing programs, ancillary streams such as the 123inkt.nl cartridge-recycling partnership, and participant-driven fundraising through the Oogfonds Walk & Ride event and Digicollect-powered personal action pages. Go-to-market is primarily direct-to-consumer digital (website, email newsletter, social channels) combined with event-driven community fundraising. The foundation holds CBF Erkend Goed Doel and ANBI certifications and is led by Directeur-bestuurder Meta Neeleman, with a lean internal team (1–10 employees) operating an outsourced-leaning model.

Name

Oogfonds

Legal name

Stichting Oogfonds Nederland

Website

https://oogfonds.nl

Company type

Private

Founded year

1947

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Stichting Oogfonds Nederland is a Dutch charitable foundation (founded 1947) that funds scientific eye research and provides public education on eye health, serving the Dutch population affected by visual impairment through donations, lottery partnerships, and awareness campaigns.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Nonprofit Eye Health Foundation

NAICS

Grantmaking Foundations (813211), Voluntary Health Organizations (813212)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Health & Medical Research Grantmaking Foundations (BPAGAKAL)

akta.pro secondary industries

Research & Science Grantmaking Foundations (BPAGAKAI), Open Educational Resources (OER) & Open Access Academic Publishing (MPAJABAG), Open Courseware & Course Modules (OCW) (EDAGAJAB)

Keywords

• Eye disease research funding
• Blindness prevention charity
• Ophthalmology research grants
• Eye health education
• Charitable fundraising foundation

Headquarters

HQ city

Utrecht

HQ country

Netherlands

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Others, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Operations

Revenue model

1. Individual Donations: The Oogfonds raises funds from individual donors through one-time gifts and recurring monthly donations. Donation options on its website include preset amounts (€15, €25, €50) and custom amounts, with monthly recurring donations starting from €5.
2. Periodic (Tax-Deductible) Giving: Through ANBI-status, the Oogfonds offers periodic gift agreements (periodiek schenken) lasting a minimum of 5 years, which are fully tax-deductible for Dutch donors. This provides the foundation with predictable long-term funding.
3. Bequests and Legacy Giving: Donors can include the Oogfonds in their will (geven na leven). Because the Oogfonds is an ANBI institution, bequests are exempt from inheritance tax in the Netherlands.
4. Lottery Partnerships: The VriendenLoterij has supported the Oogfonds since 2008, directing a minimum of 40% of each lottery ticket sold to the foundation. The Nationale Postcode Loterij similarly directs at least 40% of lottery proceeds annually to supported charities including the Oogfonds.
5. Cartridge Recycling Donations: Through a partnership with 123inkt.nl, the Oogfonds receives donations generated from customers recycling empty printer cartridges. The compensation paid by 123inkt.nl for eligible cartridges is directed to the foundation.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels12 records

Core offering

Oogfonds (Stichting Oogfonds Nederland) is a Dutch charitable foundation that funds scientific eye research focused on glaucoma, macular degeneration, regenerative medicine, gene therapy, and stem cell therapy, while providing public education on eye health and blindness prevention. As a national fundraiser established in 1947, it raises money through individual donations, lottery partnerships, and bequests to deliver research grants and free educational materials such as the Ogenblik magazine, school lesson packages, and disease-specific brochures.

Product overview

Oogfonds is a Dutch charitable foundation that operates as a unified public information and fundraising organization rather than a technology product company. The organization offers educational publications (Ogenblik magazine, brochures on eye diseases), interactive awareness tools (eye disease simulator, online eye test), school educational programs (expanded lesson package), an e-commerce webshop for materials, fundraising events (Walk & Ride), and multiple donation mechanisms (one-time, periodic, celebration pages, bequests). The core offering is providing scientifically-backed information about eye health and funding ophthalmological research, supported by individual donations, lottery partnerships, and corporate sponsorships.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Ogenblik Magazine Free publication providing reliable, evidence-based information about eye complaints and conditions, practical guidance on eye care, and personal stories from patients and researchers. Targeted at Dutch readers experiencing vision changes or interested in eye health.
• School Lesson Package (Lespakket) Free educational materials for Dutch primary schools teaching children about eye health, the 20-20-2 rule (look 20 seconds into the distance after 20 minutes of close viewing, minimum 2 hours outdoors daily), and myopia prevention through lifestyle habits. Expanded in 2025 to cover grades 1-5.
• Walk & Ride Event Annual sporting event combining walking and cycling routes (5-80 km) held in Putten, Netherlands, where participants register and fundraise for scientific eye research. Community-driven fundraising activity for individual supporters and their networks.
• Donation Services Multiple donation mechanisms including one-time gifts (preset €15, €25, €50 or custom amounts), monthly recurring donations starting from €5, periodic giving agreements (5+ year commitments with ANBI tax benefits), bequests, and celebration pages where donors collect funds for special occasions. Targeted at Dutch individual donors and supporters seeking tax-efficient charitable giving.
• Webshop Online shop at shop.oogfonds.nl selling brochures, educational materials, and merchandise related to eye health and the Oogfonds organization. Targeted at Dutch consumers seeking physical eye health information products and branded merchandise.
• Glaucoom Brochure and Information Package Free downloadable or physical brochure providing information about glaucoma onset, treatment, and prevention. Available in Dutch, targeted at patients diagnosed with glaucoma and their families.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 2 million people in the Netherlands are under treatment or monitoring for an eye condition, highlighting the scale of the problem the Oogfonds addresses.
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration6 records

Partnerships

18 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• VriendenLoterij (Friends Lottery)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 January 2008The VriendenLoterij has supported the Oogfonds since 2008, directing a minimum of 40% of each lottery ticket to charitable causes including the Oogfonds. Participants can choose the Oogfonds as their preferred charity. The partnership has funded equipment such as retinal cameras for 5 Dutch hospitals in the New Born Eyes project for screening premature babies' eyes.
• Nationale Postcode Loterij (National Postcode Lottery)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorThe Nationale Postcode Loterij supports the Oogfonds as one of its 150+ supported charities, directing at least 40% of annual lottery proceeds to its good cause partners. With over 3 million participants, the lottery is a significant funding source for the Oogfonds.
• 123inkt.nlminorGTM or Marketing PartnerThrough a recycling partnership with 123inkt.nl, the Oogfonds receives donations generated when customers donate their empty printer cartridges. The compensation paid by 123inkt.nl for eligible cartridges is directed to the foundation, providing a small but ongoing revenue stream.
• Prof. dr. Carroll Webers (Maastricht UMC+)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProf. dr. Carroll Webers serves as Chair of the Oogfonds Scientific Advisory Board (WAR), providing expert oversight and guidance on research strategy, funding priorities, and scientific quality of funded projects.
• Prof. dr. Camiel Boon (Amsterdam UMC and Leiden UMC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProf. dr. Camiel Boon is a member of the Oogfonds Scientific Advisory Board and leads gene therapy research for hereditary retinal diseases supported by the Oogfonds.
• Prof. dr. Martine Jager (Leiden UMC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProf. dr. Martine Jager, Professor of Ophthalmology, serves on the Oogfonds Scientific Advisory Board, contributing expertise in ophthalmology research.
• Prof. dr. Caroline Klaver (Radboudumc, Erasmus MC, University of Basel)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProf. dr. Caroline Klaver, ophthalmologist-epidemiologist, is a member of the Oogfonds Scientific Advisory Board and leads research on age-related macular degeneration supported by the foundation.
• Dr. Jonas Kuiper (UMC Utrecht)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDr. Jonas Kuiper, Immunologist at UMC Utrecht, serves on the Oogfonds Scientific Advisory Board, contributing immunological expertise to research evaluation.
• Dr. Yara Lechanteur (Radboudumc)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDr. Yara Lechanteur, ophthalmologist at Radboudumc, is a member of the Oogfonds Scientific Advisory Board.
• Dr. Martha Tjon-Fo-Sang (Oogziekenhuis Rotterdam)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDr. Martha Tjon-Fo-Sang, ophthalmologist at Oogziekenhuis Rotterdam, is a member of the Oogfonds Scientific Advisory Board.
• Dr. Khanh Vu (Leiden UMC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDr. Khanh Vu, ophthalmologist at Leiden UMC, is a member of the Oogfonds Scientific Advisory Board.
• Prof. dr. Mor Dickman (UMC Utrecht, MRLN Institute Maastricht)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProf. dr. Mor Dickman leads the 'Cornea Moonshot' research project (Rebuilding the Eye), a collaboration between Dutch and Belgian academic centers funded by the Oogfonds, focusing on regenerative medicine for the corneal endothelium.
• Dr. Vanessa LaPointe (MRLN Institute, Maastricht)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDr. Vanessa LaPointe is a team member of the Oogfonds Cornea Moonshot project, contributing to regenerative medicine research for the corneal endothelium.
• Dr. Heiko Locher (LUMC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDr. Heiko Locher from LUMC is a team member of the Oogfonds Cornea Moonshot project.
• Prof. dr. Sandra van Vlierberghe (Ghent University)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProf. dr. Sandra van Vlierberghe from Ghent University (Vlaanderen) is a partner in the Oogfonds Cornea Moonshot, developing an advanced carrier of soluble biomaterial for corneal cell delivery.
• Prof. Dr. Sorcha Ni Dhubhghaill (VUB/UZ Brussel)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProf. Dr. Sorcha Ni Dhubhghaill from VUB/UZ Brussel is a partner in the Oogfonds Cornea Moonshot research project.
• Dr. Bert van den Bogerd (ARGOS, Antwerpen)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDr. Bert van den Bogerd from ARGOS in Antwerpen is a partner in the Oogfonds Cornea Moonshot project.
• Oogziekenhuis Rotterdam (The Eye Hospital Rotterdam)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Oogziekenhuis Rotterdam is the Dutch national expertise center for Leber Hereditary Optic Neuropathy (LHON). Its ophthalmologists/neuro-ophthalmologists collaborated with the Oogfonds-funded LUMC research team to collect blood samples from ND4 patients for stem cell conversion and retinal organoid development.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB): UK national charity for blind and partially sighted people, funding eye research and providing public education. Most direct international analogue to Oogfonds's national-scope, research-funding-plus-public-education model.
• Fight for Sight: UK charity dedicated exclusively to funding eye research to prevent sight loss and treat eye disease. Closely comparable mission and research-grantmaking approach to Oogfonds.
• BrightFocus Foundation: US nonprofit that funds research on macular degeneration, glaucoma, and Alzheimer's. Comparable in funding scientific eye research and providing disease-specific public education.
• Macular Society: UK charity focused on macular disease research, support, and awareness. Comparable single-disease-area research and education focus to several Oogfonds programs.
• Glaucoma Research Foundation: US charity dedicated to funding glaucoma research and education. Directly comparable to the Oogfonds's glaucoma-focused research funding and patient information efforts.
• Foundation Fighting Blindness: US-based charity driving research on inherited retinal diseases — closely aligned with Oogfonds-funded gene therapy work led by Prof. Camiel Boon.
• Prevent Blindness: US nonprofit focused on early detection, prevention, and treatment of eye disease, including screening and public education. Comparable prevention and awareness mandate.

Broad incumbents

• International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness (IAPB): Global umbrella alliance of eye health organizations coordinating blindness prevention worldwide. Overlapping mission in blindness prevention but operating internationally rather than nationally.
• Lions Clubs International Foundation (LCIF): Major international service organization funding vision programs (including eye research and vision screening). Comparable mission focus but with a much broader service portfolio.

Regional players

• KWF Dutch Cancer Society: Leading Dutch health charity funding cancer research and public education. Most directly comparable domestic peer in scale, ANBI/CBF governance, lottery partnerships, and national fundraising model.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@StichtingOogfondsNL
• Facebookfacebook.com/oogfonds
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/stichting-oogfonds-nederland
• Instagraminstagram.com/oogfonds
• Xx.com/Oogfonds

Compliance5 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Oogfonds