What De Zonnebloem does

De Zonnebloem (legally Nationale Vereniging de Zonnebloem) is a Dutch non-profit association founded in 1949 and headquartered in Breda, Netherlands, dedicated to enabling social participation for adults (18+) with physical disabilities. The organization is the largest volunteer-driven charity in the Netherlands serving this population, supported by approximately 100 paid national office staff, 29,000 volunteers, and 1,000+ local branches across all Dutch provinces. It holds ANBI (Algemeen Nut Beogende Instelling) and CBF Erkenning certifications, with no external parent, private equity, or venture ownership; governance rests with a volunteer National Assembly (21-25 members) and volunteer National Board.

Its service portfolio centers on companionship and accessibility. Core social-inclusion products include one-on-one home visits (Huisbezoek), group day activities, and small-scale department holidays. Mobility services are delivered through three channels: Zonnebloemfiets (electric wheelchair and tandem bikes) at 60+ distribution points, Welzorg GO wheelchair-accessible car rentals at ~50 locations, and an adapted hot air balloon operated by Ad Ballon. The flagship experiential offering is MPS de Zonnebloem, a fully adapted river cruise ship running 40+ six-day all-inclusive vacation weeks annually through the Netherlands, Germany, and Belgium, accommodating up to 69 participants plus 63 medical and care volunteers per trip. B2B offerings include accessibility audits (Toegankelijkheidsscan, Toegankelijkheidsinspectie, Belevingsonderzoek), customized Belevingsworkshops, and a newly launched accessible mobile toilet product (ZonnebloemPot, co-developed with DIXI). Internal technology consists of NOVA, a volunteer management platform replacing the prior OAA system, and the Mijn Zonnebloem participant portal.

Revenue is diversified across individual donations, the annual Zonnebloemloterij (€3 per ticket, with annual subscriptions from 5 lots), webshop sales of greeting cards and merchandise, corporate MVO partnerships (including the Het andere Bedrijfsuitje volunteer-day program), and beneficiary status with the Postcode Loterij and VriendenLoterij. A wholly-owned commercial subsidiary, Motorpassagiersschip de Zonnebloem B.V., operates the cruise vessel. Geographic reach is overwhelmingly domestic, with limited cross-border activity confined to the river-cruise route. The organization marked its 75th anniversary in 2024.

Name

De Zonnebloem

Legal name

Nationale Vereniging de Zonnebloem

Website

https://zonnebloem.nl

Company type

Private

Founded year

1949

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

De Zonnebloem is a Dutch non-profit association (founded 1949) that enables social participation for adults with physical disabilities through home visits, group activities, accessible vacations, and mobility services, supported by 29,000 volunteers and 1,000+ local branches across the Netherlands.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Disability Social Welfare Services

NAICS

Services for the Elderly and Persons with Disabilities (624120), Special Needs Transportation (485991), Home Health Equipment Rental (532283)

SIC

Services-Nursing & Personal Care Facilities (8050), Services-Home Health Care Services (8082)

akta.pro primary industry

Recreational Outings, Community Participation & Mobility Support (Non-Clinical) (HSABAAAI)

akta.pro secondary industries

Mobility Device Sales, Rental & Service (Wheelchairs, Scooters, Walkers) (HSABAKAC), Home Mobility & Accessibility Equipment (Ramps, Stair Lifts, Transfer Aids) (HSABAKAB), Special Needs & Accessible Travel Services (Local DMC) (THAKAEAL), Accessible & Mobility-Friendly Rentals (THAGANAK)

Keywords

• Disability social services
• Accessible tourism
• Mobility aid rental
• Volunteer coordination
• Charitable fundraising

Headquarters

HQ city

Breda

HQ country

Netherlands

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Donations and Contributions: Individual donors contribute through one-time or recurring donations. Donors can give via the website donation form or bank transfer (NL20 INGB 0000 000 145). The organization receives support from private donors who fund the volunteer activities, care, and adapted transportation costs that participants do not cover themselves.
2. Zonnebloemloterij (Lottery): Annual lottery with tickets priced at €3 each. Proceeds fully fund Zonnebloem activities. Main prize is €15,000. Lottery subscription (abonnement) available from 5 lots upward with recurring annual billing via direct debit.
3. Webshop Sales: Sale of greeting cards (Zonnebloemkaarten) and other merchandise through the online shop (shop.zonnebloem.nl). Proceeds support the organization's work.
4. Business Partnerships and Corporate Services: Companies collaborate through donations, Het andere Bedrijfsuitje (corporate volunteer day experiences), accessibility workshops, and sponsorship. The organization offers businesses participation in MVO (Maatschappelijk Verantwoord Ondernemen) activities.
5. Lottery Partnerships: The organization receives support from the Postcode Loterij and VriendenLoterij as beneficiary charity, generating regular funding through lottery proceeds.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels8 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

De Zonnebloem is a Dutch non-profit association that enables adults (18+) with physical disabilities to participate in society through free home visits, group day outings, and adapted vacations — including 6-day all-inclusive sailing trips on the fully accessible river cruise ship MPS de Zonnebloem. It also coordinates a nationwide rental network of adapted mobility aids (electric wheelchair bikes via the Zonnebloemfiets and wheelchair-accessible cars via Welzorg GO) and offers accessible experiences such as hot air balloon rides, plus an accessible mobile toilet (ZonnebloemPot) and professional accessibility audits and workshops for businesses, all funded by donations, an annual lottery, and corporate partnerships.

Product overview

De Zonnebloem is a Dutch charitable organization for people with physical disabilities, offering a broad portfolio of accessibility-focused services. Its core offerings center on social inclusion through home visits (Huisbezoek), group day activities, and vacation programs. Key mobility services include the Zonnebloemfiets (electric wheelchair and tandem bike rentals at over 60 locations), the Welzorg GO wheelchair car rental program (50+ locations), and the MPS de Zonnebloem — a fully adapted river cruise ship hosting 6-day all-inclusive holidays for up to 69 participants per trip. The organization also provides an accessible mobile toilet product (ZonnebloemPot), professional accessibility audits and training workshops for businesses, and organizes the annual Zonnebloemloterij (lottery) for fundraising. Supporting infrastructure includes NOVA (volunteer management portal) and Mijn Zonnebloem (participant portal). The portfolio spans direct care services, mobility equipment, vacation programs, professional consulting, and fundraising products.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• De Zonnebloemfiets: Electric wheelchair bikes and duo bikes available for rent across the Netherlands for people with mobility impairments.
• ZonnebloemPot
• Samen Onbeperkt Vooruit
• Zonnebloemloterij
• Het ándere Bedrijfsuitje

Products and services

• Huisbezoek (Home Visits) Free one-on-one social contact service in which a matched Zonnebloem volunteer visits an adult with a physical disability at home for conversation, games, or short outings, based on the participant's preferences.
• Dagactiviteiten (Day Activities) Group outings organized by local Zonnebloem branches to museums, zoos, theaters, and other attractions, with adapted transport and volunteer support provided for adults with physical disabilities.
• Zonnebloemfiets (Wheelchair Bike & Tandem Rental) Electric adaptive bicycle rental service offering the Rolstoelfiets (wheelchair bike allowing users to stay in their wheelchair) and the Duofiets (side-by-side tandem) at more than 60 locations across the Netherlands through local Zonnebloem branches and distribution points.
• Welzorg GO Wheelchair Car Rental Fully adapted wheelchair-accessible rental cars distributed through partner Welzorg GO at approximately 50 locations across the Netherlands, with WA-Casco and occupant accident insurance included and a €34/day discount available to Zonnebloempas holders.
• Accessible Hot Air Balloon Rides (Ad Ballon) Adapted hot air balloon experience operated by partner Ad Ballon in Breda, accommodating 6 passengers (4 standing, 2 seated with safety belts) and including a field wheelchair for transport to the basket, designed for adults with physical disabilities.
• MPS de Zonnebloem Sailing Vacations All-inclusive 6-day adapted river cruise holidays through the Netherlands, Germany, and Belgium on the fully accessible MPS de Zonnebloem, accommodating up to 69 participants and 63 volunteers per trip with on-board care for bedridden guests and dialysis/ventilator support on selected trips.
• Afdelingsvakanties (Department Group Holidays) Small-scale, fully catered group holidays organized by local Zonnebloem branches in the Netherlands and neighboring countries, adapted to participants' physical needs.
• Toegankelijke Accommodaties (Accessible Accommodation Directory) Curated directory of wheelchair-accessible vacation rentals, hotels, bed and breakfasts, and group accommodations across the Netherlands and cross-border destinations, vetted by De Zonnebloem for accessibility features.
• ZonnebloemPot (Accessible Mobile Toilet Rental) Rental of an accessible mobile toilet unit co-designed with DIXI specifically for people with physical disabilities at events and festivals; features include grab bars, slow-close door, enlarged lock, belongings shelf, coat hook, anti-slip flooring, wheelchair turning space, and enhanced natural lighting.
• Workshop Toegankelijkheid (Accessibility Workshop) Customized Belevingsworkshop training program for businesses and organizations, focused on interactions with people with physical disabilities and practical accessibility improvements, including wheelchair and disability simulation exercises, expert guidance, and action planning.
• Toegankelijkheidsonderzoeken (Accessibility Audits) Three professional accessibility assessment services for organizations: Toegankelijkheidsscan (basic physical accessibility analysis), Toegankelijkheidsinspectie (full inspection against the Integrale Toegankelijkheidsstandaard), and Belevingsonderzoek (mystery guest testing by experienced consultants), with reports including findings, quick wins, and long-term recommendations.
• Het andere Bedrijfsuitje (Corporate Volunteer Day) Corporate volunteering experience in which company employee teams are paired with Zonnebloem participants for a day of meaningful social interaction and wheelchair companionship, supporting MVO/CSR objectives and team-building.
• Zonnebloemloterij (Annual Charity Lottery) Annual fundraising lottery with tickets priced at €3 each, main prize €15,000, and annual subscriptions from 5 lots upward with recurring direct debit; all proceeds fund Zonnebloem activities.
• Zonnebloem Webshop (Greeting Cards & Merchandise) Online sale of Zonnebloem greeting cards (Zonnebloemkaarten) and other merchandise at shop.zonnebloem.nl, with proceeds supporting the organization's charitable work.
• Vrijwilligerswerk (Volunteer Programs) Volunteer engagement programs including home visits, day outings, group activities, department holiday support, sailing holiday assistance, and local-branch board volunteer positions, available across more than 1,000 branches nationwide.

Named customers3 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• DIXIcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDIXI collaborated with Nationale Vereniging de Zonnebloem to design the ZonnebloemPot — an accessible mobile toilet specifically for people with physical disabilities. DIXI manufactures and rents the units for events and festivals, while De Zonnebloem contributes the accessibility expertise and branding.
• Welzorg GOcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorWelzorg GO (formerly Zonnebloemauto) provides fully adapted wheelchair-accessible rental cars at approximately 50 locations in the Netherlands. De Zonnebloem offers its members and participants a €34/day discount via the Zonnebloempas (one-time fee €10). The partnership enables independent mobility for people with physical disabilities.
• Ad BallonminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAd Ballon (Breda) operates and maintains a special Zonnebloem hot air balloon specifically designed for people with physical disabilities. The adapted basket accommodates 6 passengers with 4 standing and 2 seated positions, includes a field wheelchair for transport, and features a door for easy boarding.
• Stichting Open MindminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerStichting Open Mind collaborated with De Zonnebloem to create the 'Samen Onbeperkt Vooruit' (Together Unlimited Forward) traveling photo exhibition, featuring photography by Linelle Deunk that documents the experiences of people with physical disabilities and the importance of accessibility.
• Postcode LoterijcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerPostcode Loterij is one of De Zonnebloem's key lottery funding partners. The organization receives a share of lottery proceeds that support its charitable activities, making it a significant non-governmental revenue source.
• VriendenLoterijcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerVriendenLoterij supports De Zonnebloem as a beneficiary charity, providing lottery-funded income that enables the organization to cover extra disability-related costs for participants.
• VSBfondsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerVSBfonds (foundation) provides funding support to De Zonnebloem's accessibility programs, contributing to the nearly 100 locations in the Netherlands that have been tested and advised on accessibility improvements.
• Ministerie van VWS (Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerThe Dutch Ministry of VWS has partnered with De Zonnebloem since 2016 to support accessibility campaigns and initiatives, contributing to the organization's advocacy for a more accessible Netherlands.
• Bartiméus, Ieder(in), HandicapNLminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDe Zonnebloem collaborates with Bartiméus (visual impairment), Ieder(in) (disability advocacy), and HandicapNL as part of a network of disability-focused charities working toward shared accessibility and inclusion goals.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Revalidatiefonds: Dutch foundation funding rehabilitation research and programs for people with physical disabilities; directly comparable target population and Dutch non-profit funding model.
• Bartiméus: Dutch non-profit supporting people with visual impairments; De Zonnebloem explicitly names Bartiméus as a strategic partner in its disability-charity network. Same volunteer-driven, donation-funded model and overlapping Dutch market.
• Ieder(in): Dutch network organization for people with chronic illnesses and disabilities, listed by De Zonnebloem as a collaboration partner. Highly comparable mission and advocacy-driven operating model in the Netherlands.
• HandicapNL: Dutch disability advocacy and services organization explicitly named as a partner of De Zonnebloem. Competes for the same donor lottery and corporate MVO funds within the Dutch physical-disability segment.
• Stichting Het Gehandicapte Kind: Dutch charity focused on children with disabilities; uses a similar volunteer- and donor-funded model to deliver accessible recreation, holiday programs, and family support in the Netherlands.
• NSGK (Nederlandse Stichting voor het Gehandicapte Kind): Dutch charity funding projects for children with disabilities in the Netherlands; shares De Zonnebloem's donor/lottery funding model and accessible-leisure mission.

Broad incumbents

• Rode Kruis Nederland: Dutch Red Cross — much larger humanitarian organization with broad disability, accessibility, and vulnerable-population programming; overlaps with De Zonnebloem's mission but at a substantially wider scope and scale.

Emerging players

• Special Olympics Nederland: Dutch affiliate of Special Olympics providing sports programs for people with intellectual disabilities; comparable volunteer-led recreation model but focused on sports rather than social outings and vacations.
• CliniClowns: Dutch non-profit deploying trained clowns to bring joy to sick and disabled children in hospitals; shares De Zonnebloem's volunteer-driven, donation/lottery-funded model and focus on quality of life for people with disabilities.

Others

• KNGF Geleidehonden: Dutch guide dog foundation supporting people with visual impairments through trained assistance dogs; adjacent rather than direct — different service modality (mobility aids vs. social/leisure) but overlapping Dutch disability mission.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/nationale-vereniging-de-zonnebloem
• Xx.com/dezonnebloem
• Facebookfacebook.com/dezonnebloem

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Subsidiaries1 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 De Zonnebloem