Woord en Daad
Woord en Daad is a Dutch Christian development foundation that delivers education, agriculture, child-protection, and employment programs in 18-20 countries, funded by private donations, government grants, and 31 second-hand shops in the Netherlands, with 4,000+ volunteers and €38M income in 2025.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1970
- HeadquartersGorinchem, Netherlands
- Headcount101–250
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Woord en Daad does
Stichting Woord en Daad is a Dutch Christian development foundation headquartered in Gorinchem, Netherlands, founded circa 1970. It operates in 18-20 countries across West and Central Africa, East Africa, Asia, and Latin America and the Caribbean, delivering programs in education, inclusive agribusiness, sustainable water, child protection, youth employment, emergency relief, and policy influencing. The organization is guided by a Biblical framework of justice and mercy and applies a 'Southern leadership' model in which local partner organizations drive program design and execution.
The foundation's revenue is generated primarily through private donations — including child sponsorship, fixed donor memberships, one-time gifts, and legacies — supplemented by government subsidies (capped at 30% of total income to preserve independence), net proceeds from 31 second-hand shops across the Netherlands, fair-trade merchandise sales, and event-based fundraising. In fiscal 2025 Woord en Daad received nearly €38 million in income, the highest in its history, and its second-hand shops alone delivered more than €2.7 million in net proceeds. More than 4,000 volunteers — including 1,800+ across the thrift-store network — support the paid staff of 101-250 employees.
Go-to-market is multi-channel: direct-to-consumer fundraising via the woordendaad.nl website, recurring sponsorship sign-ups, church and school partnerships, regional volunteer group events (concerts, cycling tours, high teas), remarketing and paid social, and a 31-store physical retail footprint in the Netherlands. The organization is governed by a two-member Board of Directors (Chair Rina Molenaar, Director of Programmes Jacob Jan Vreugdenhil) and a 7-member Board of Supervisors chaired by Reverend dr. G.J. Baan, and holds ISO 9001 (since 2002), CBF 'Erkend Goed Doel', ANBI, and (via US affiliate Word2Act) 501(c)(3) credentials.
Woord en Daad firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Woord en Daad
- Legal name
- Stichting Woord en Daad
- Website
- https://woordendaad.nl
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1970
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 101–250 employees
- Short description
- Woord en Daad is a Dutch Christian development foundation that delivers education, agriculture, child-protection, and employment programs in 18-20 countries, funded by private donations, government grants, and 31 second-hand shops in the Netherlands, with 4,000+ volunteers and €38M income in 2025.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Woord en Daad industry classification
Industry- Product category
- International Development and Humanitarian Aid
- NAICS
- Child and Youth Services (62411), Social Advocacy Organizations (8133)
- SIC
- Services-Social Services (8300)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Child Protection & Child Rights (BPAGABAG)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Education, Skills & Workforce Development Aid Programs (BPADABAE), Climate, Environment & Natural Resource Management Aid Programs (BPADABAI)
Keywords
Where Woord en Daad is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Gorinchem
- HQ country
- Netherlands
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices5 records
Markets served
Woord en Daad business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
Revenue model
- Private Donations and Sponsorships: The majority of Woord en Daad's income comes from private donations and sponsorships. This includes child sponsorship programs where donors support specific children, fixed donor memberships with recurring donations, and one-time gifts. The organization maintains tens of thousands of sponsors and donors.
- Government Subsidies: Woord en Daad receives government subsidies but maintains a policy that government subsidies may form a maximum of 30% of total income. This ensures independence from government funding.
- Second-hand Shop Operations: The organization operates 31 second-hand shops (kringloopwinkels) across the Netherlands with over 1,800 volunteers. Net proceeds from these shops exceeded €2.7 million, supporting the organization's international development work.
- Legacies and Bequests: The organization accepts legacies and bequests from supporters, with digital storage of testament documents in secure systems for proper administration.
- Merchandise Sales: Woord en Daad sells products including fair trade items like coffee, cashew nuts, and honey sourced from partner organizations. These products are sold at events, through volunteer groups, and via home sales points.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Monthly | Child Sponsorship Program |
| Subscription | Monthly | Fixed Donor Membership |
| Transaction based/ take rate | Pay-as-you-go | One-time Donations |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Event Participation Fees |
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels6 records
Marketing channels10 records
Woord en Daad product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Woord en Daad is a Dutch Christian development organization that operates child sponsorship programs, accepts private donations, and runs 31 second-hand thrift shops across the Netherlands to fund international poverty alleviation programs. It delivers development programs in education, agriculture, water/sanitation, youth employment, child protection, and emergency relief across 18-20 countries in Africa, Asia, and Latin America through local partner organizations.
Product overview
Woord en Daad is a Dutch Christian development organization operating a multi-product portfolio focused on sustainable change for communities worldwide. The core offerings include child sponsorship programs connecting donors with individual children, direct donation mechanisms (one-time, recurring, and legacy), and a network of 31 thrift shops generating over €2.7 million annually. Supplementary engagement products include at-home sales points for fair-trade products and regional volunteer groups organizing fundraising events. The organization delivers impact through eight thematic programmes: Inclusive Agribusiness, Sustainable Water, Education, Combating Child Exploitation, Employment and Training, Emergency Relief and Resilience, Policy Influencing, and Awareness Raising campaigns on sustainable consumption. The programmatic work spans 18 countries across Africa, Asia, and Latin America, with operations structured around five regional strategies and Southern leadership principles.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Child Sponsorship Program Individual child sponsorship program connecting Dutch donors with children in developing countries, providing access to education, meals, and medical care, with sponsors receiving updates and personal correspondence.
- Donations and Fundraising Direct donation options including one-time gifts (preset €10/€20/€50/€100 or custom), recurring fixed-donor memberships, and legacy/bequest giving to support development projects worldwide.
- Thrift Shops (Kringloopwinkels) Second-hand retail stores across 31 locations in the Netherlands staffed by over 1,800 volunteers, selling donated goods with net proceeds exceeding €2.7 million in 2025 to support international development work.
- Inclusive Agribusiness Programme Agricultural development programme supporting small-scale farmers with training, coaching, and market access to improve livelihoods and food security across developing countries.
- Education Programme Education programme providing access to quality education for children, including school fees, materials, meals, and teacher training across 18 countries in Africa, Asia, and Latin America.
- Combating Child Exploitation Programme Child protection programme preventing child labor, domestic servitude, and exploitation while supporting recovery and reintegration of affected children in Benin, Burkina Faso, and other countries.
- Employment and Training Programme Youth employment programme providing vocational training, job placement services, and entrepreneurship support for young people aged 18-35.
- Sustainable Water Programme Water, sanitation, and hygiene programme providing access to safe drinking water and promoting sustainable water management practices in developing countries.
- Emergency Relief and Resilience Programme Humanitarian assistance programme providing emergency aid and building community resilience in conflict-affected and disaster-prone areas.
- Policy Influencing Programme Advocacy programme lobbying Dutch and EU policymakers for development-friendly policies and coherent foreign policy toward the Global South.
- Home Sales Point (Verkooppunt aan Huis) At-home sales programme allowing supporters to sell fair-trade products such as coffee, tea, and cashew nuts to raise funds for development projects.
- Regional Volunteer Groups Local volunteer groups organizing events such as concerts, cycling tours, and sales activities across the Netherlands to raise funds and awareness for development projects.
Quantifiable outcome
- Nearly €38 million income received in 2025, the highest in organization's history
- +4 more outcomes
Companies that use Woord en Daad
Customer profileNamed customers6 records
Segments6 records
Woord en Daad technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Woord en Daad partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- LEAD UgandacoreThe Local Empowerment And Development (LEAD) program in Uganda exemplifies partnership approach rooted in co-creation, southern leadership and systemic change. Funded by the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs, LEAD Uganda addresses sustainable livelihoods and social cohesion for refugees and host communities through collaborative system canvas workshops.
- BenkadicoreMulti-country strategic partnership in four African countries (Benin, Burkina Faso, Ivory Coast, Mali) with a budget of €21.6 million for 2021-2025 under the Power of Voices framework. Focuses on strengthening civil society engagement in climate mitigation and adaptation policies with Southern leadership and shared decision-making.
- AFAS FoundationcorePartnership to combat modern slavery and eradicate child domestic labor in Benin and Burkina Faso. Focuses on prevention, recovery, and advocacy through local organizations using data-driven strategies.
- DEDRAScoreLocal partner organization in Benin working on preventing child domestic labor and providing education and vocational training.
- CIPCREcoreLocal partner organization in Benin working on child protection and community development initiatives.
- AEJTcoreAssociation des Enfants et Jeunes Travailleurs (Association of Working Children and Youth) - local organization empowering working children and youth.
- Children BelieveminorInternational organization collaborating on child-focused development programs in Benin and Burkina Faso.
- Parole et ActioncorePartner organization in Haiti operating schools and digital education training centers. Received $800,000 from W.K. Kellogg Foundation for establishing digital education infrastructure including 40 training centers across the country.
- ConviventiaminorPartner organization in Colombia building a volunteer network and demonstrating international cooperation examples.
- World VisioncoreConsortium partner in the INCE Sierra Leone program, facilitating training for children's clubs, mother clubs, and School Management Committees.
- Word2ActminorUS-based organization with 501(c)(3) status, affiliated with Woord en Daad for American donors and supporters.
- LEAD UgandacoreLocal Empowerment And Development program - multi-stakeholder partnership addressing sustainable livelihoods and social cohesion for refugees and host communities in Uganda.
Scale indicators9 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Woord en Daad competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- World Vision Nederland: World Vision's Dutch affiliate is a large child-focused Christian development NGO with sponsorship programs, multi-country operations, and similar advocacy footprint in Brussels/The Hague. Comparable scale and donor-segment overlap, though backed by a larger global parent.
- Dorcas: Dorcas is a Dutch Christian development NGO operating thrift shops (kringloopwinkels), international partner programs in Eastern Europe and Africa, and CBF-certified fundraising — sharing the distinctive dual-revenue model (donations + thrift shops) that is a core Woord en Daad feature.
- Tearfund (Netherlands): Tearfund is a Dutch Christian development NGO with comparable focus on poverty alleviation, child sponsorship, and faith-based international programs. Both organizations share Biblical mission framing, CBF/ANBI certifications, and operate with strong Dutch volunteer bases — the most direct comparable peer in scale and positioning.
- Compassion Nederland: Compassion Nederland operates a near-identical child sponsorship model in the Netherlands with faith-based positioning. Direct competitor for the same Dutch donor wallet, with overlapping program geographies and similar CBF-certified transparency standards.
- Kinderpostzegels: Kinderpostzegels is a Dutch child welfare NGO with similar focus on children's rights, education access, and CBF certification. Overlaps with Woord en Daad's child sponsorship and education program portfolios in Africa and Latin America.
- Red een Kind: Red een Kind is a Dutch child sponsorship-focused NGO with similar operating model: Dutch Christian foundation, child sponsorship program, partnership-based program delivery in Africa and Latin America. Highly comparable on revenue model and target donor demographic.
Broad incumbents
- Cordaid: Cordaid is one of the largest Dutch development organizations (€100M+ budget), historically Catholic-affiliated, with broader thematic scope including healthcare, security & justice, and humanitarian response. Overlaps with Woord en Daad on partner-country presence and policy-influencing in The Hague/Brussels but operates at significantly larger scale.
- Oxfam Novib: Oxfam Novib is the largest Dutch development NGO (€200M+ budget), with comparable policy-influencing footprint in The Hague and Brussels, partner-led program model, and education/livelihoods programming. Operates at significantly larger scale and secular positioning but competes for the same institutional grants and high-value donors.
- ICCO Cooperation: ICCO is a Dutch development cooperative (now operating under Cordaid) with comparable focus on inclusive agribusiness, climate-resilient farming, and food security — overlapping significantly with Woord en Daad's Drops for Crops and Inclusive Agribusiness programs in West Africa.
- SOS Kinderdorpen: SOS Children's Villages Netherlands is part of a large global federation focused on child welfare, alternative care, and family strengthening. Comparable on Dutch donor base, child sponsorship, and CBF certification, but operates a distinct residential care model.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Woord en Daad social profiles
Digital presenceWoord en Daad compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance4 records
Woord en Daad financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Woord en Daad leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Woord en Daad funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Woord en Daad M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Woord en Daad
What does Woord en Daad do?
Woord en Daad is a Dutch Christian development organization that operates child sponsorship programs, accepts private donations, and runs 31 second-hand thrift shops across the Netherlands to fund international poverty alleviation programs. It delivers development programs in education, agriculture, water/sanitation, youth employment, child protection, and emergency relief across 18-20 countries in Africa, Asia, and Latin America through local partner organizations.
Is Woord en Daad a public or private company?
Woord en Daad is a private company. It is currently operating.
When was Woord en Daad founded?
Woord en Daad was founded in 1970. It employs 101 to 250 people.
Where is Woord en Daad based?
Woord en Daad is headquartered in Gorinchem, Netherlands, in the Europe region.
How does Woord en Daad make money?
Five revenue lines are on record. Private Donations and Sponsorships are the primary driver. The others are government Subsidies, second-hand Shop Operations, legacies and Bequests and merchandise Sales.
Who are Woord en Daad's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are World Vision Nederland, Dorcas, Tearfund (Netherlands), Compassion Nederland, Kinderpostzegels and Red een Kind. Broad incumbents are Cordaid, Oxfam Novib, ICCO Cooperation and SOS Kinderdorpen.
Does Woord en Daad have an API?
No public API is recorded for Woord en Daad.
What industry is Woord en Daad in?
Woord en Daad's product category is International Development and Humanitarian Aid. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAGABAG, Child Protection & Child Rights, with a secondary code of BPADABAE, Education, Skills & Workforce Development Aid Programs. Its NAICS code is 62411 and its SIC code is 8300.