Arc-en-Ciel ASBL

What Arc-en-Ciel ASBL does

Arc-en-Ciel ASBL is a Belgian nonprofit association (association sans but lucratif) founded in 1954 by Robert Bracq and headquartered in Watermael-Boitsfort, Brussels. Operating Under the High Patronage of Her Majesty the Queen and recognized as an Organisation de Jeunesse by the Fédération Wallonie-Bruxelles, the organization's mission is to provide leisure access, vacation stays, and material support to children and youth aged 6-15 from disadvantaged backgrounds in Wallonia and Brussels. Service delivery is indirect, flowing through a network of more than 200 member associations (Maisons d'Accueil, Écoles de Devoirs, Maisons de Jeunes, youth shelters), and is powered by an estimated 15,000 annual volunteers mobilized through partner youth movements (Scouts, Guides, Patro, Faucons Rouges, Scouts et Guides pluralistes) and 130 participating schools. Arc-en-Ciel's permanent staff complement is 12, supplemented by the APE government-subsidized employment scheme.

The organization's product portfolio centers on three annual harvests — the flagship Opération Arc-en-Ciel food drive (111,030 kg collected in 2026 across 28 deposit points), the Récolte de Matériel Scolaire school supply collection (5,426 kits in 2024), and the Récolte de Jeux et Jouets toy drive run as the Nostalgie Magic Tour (13,039 toys distributed in 2024) — alongside residential stays at its 'La Ferme' (Virton, 2.5 hectares) and 'La Marmite' (Tournai) centers, free day-trip programs at Walibi (45-year partnership) and Grottes de Han, and the BACV animator certification course. In January 2025 the organization launched Expli'CIDE, a board game on children's rights co-created with member-association children and priced at €35 (non-members) / €25 (members). Digital infrastructure is limited to a standard WordPress web presence; no proprietary technology platform or AI/ML capabilities are evidenced.

The business model is a hybrid of public subsidy (Fédération Wallonie-Bruxelles, COCOF, Région Wallonne, Francophones Bruxelles, ONE) and diversified fundraising — individual tax-deductible donations (45% deduction at €40+), corporate sponsorships (Fox & Cie, NRJ, Maniet! Luxus, Proximus, Equans, Bebat, Disneyland Paris), in-kind goods collection through retail and door-to-door channels, and nascent commercial product sales. Member associations and beneficiary children receive services free of charge; pricing exists only on Expli'CIDE. The GTM motion is community-led, relying on earned media, partner amplification, and grassroots volunteer mobilization rather than paid acquisition.

Name

Arc-en-Ciel ASBL

Legal name

Arc-en-Ciel ASBL

Website

https://arc-en-ciel.be

Company type

Private

Founded year

1954

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Arc-en-Ciel ASBL is a 70-year-old Belgian nonprofit that provides leisure access, holiday stays, and material support to disadvantaged children aged 6-15 across Wallonia and Brussels, delivering its programs through 200+ member associations, 15,000 annual volunteers, and three annual harvests (food, school supplies, toys).

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Youth Nonprofit Services

NAICS

Educational Services (611), All Other Schools and Instruction (61169)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200), Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900)

akta.pro primary industry

In-Service Professional Development (Workshops/Institutes/Short Courses) (EDACAIAB)

Keywords

• Youth nonprofit services
• Child leisure programs
• Food collection drive
• Vacation stay programs
• Animator training certification

Headquarters

HQ city

Watermael-Boitsfort (Brussels)

HQ country

Belgium

HQ region

Europe

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Supply Chain, Others

Revenue model

1. Donations: The organization collects monetary donations from individuals and corporations. Donations of 40 EUR or more are tax-deductible in Belgium (45% deduction). The organization also accepts donations of goods (food, toys, school supplies) which are redistributed to beneficiaries.
2. Sales of pedagogical tools: Sale of the Expli'CIDE board game at 35 EUR for non-members and 25 EUR for member associations and active volunteers, including shipping costs.
3. Government subsidies: Recognized as a Youth Organization by the Fédération Wallonie-Bruxelles, receiving public funding. Also benefits from APE subsidy scheme for employee contracts.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Arc-en-Ciel ASBL coordinates an annual solidarity ecosystem for disadvantaged children in Belgium, including a major food collection (Opération Arc-en-Ciel), school supply and toy collections, free residential holiday stays, day trips, and animator training (BACV). It also distributes the Expli'CIDE board game on children's rights. Services are delivered indirectly through 200+ member associations and 15,000+ volunteers across Wallonia and Brussels.

Product overview

Arc-en-Ciel ASBL operates as a non-profit youth organization offering a portfolio of social programs centered on providing leisure access to underprivileged children. The core offering includes the annual Opération Arc-en-Ciel (food collection since 1954), school supply and toy collections, and residential vacation stays at facilities in Virton and Tournai. Educational tools include Expli'CIDE, a co-created board game on children's rights, and BACV animator training. The organization coordinates the Nostalgie Magic Tour toy distribution and Arc-HAN-Ciel cave visits. These programs are supported by volunteer networks and member associations across Wallonia and Brussels.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Opération Arc-en-Ciel: Annual food drive collecting non-perishable goods for disadvantaged children and youth in Wallonia and Brussels, Arc-en-Ciel's flagship solidarity event since 1954.
• Récolte de Matériel Scolaire
• Récolte de Jeux et Jouets / Nostalgie Magic Tour
• Arc-HAN-Ciel
• Expli'CIDE
• Kot à projets (KAP)
• Centre 'La Ferme' – Virton
• 'La Marmite' – Tournai
• BACV (Brevet d'Animateur·rices de Centres de Vacances)

Products and services

• Opération Arc-en-Ciel (Annual Food Collection) Flagship annual non-perishable food collection operation across Wallonia and Brussels, mobilizing youth movements, schools, and 15,000+ volunteers to collect food redistributed through 200+ member associations.
• Récolte de Matériel Scolaire (School Supply Collection) Annual school supply collection program redistributing new and like-new educational materials to disadvantaged children through member associations, helping ensure equal access to education.
• Récolte de Jeux et Jouets (Toy Collection) Toy collection initiative distributing games and toys to underprivileged children during the holiday season via the annual Nostalgie Magic Tour.
• Séjours Résidentiels (Residential Holiday Stays) Free vacation stays for children and youth aged 6-15 from member associations, recognized by the Office de la Naissance et de l'Enfance (ONE), offering experiences in community living, sharing, cooperation, and autonomy.
• BACV (Brevet d'Animateur·rices de Centres de Vacances) Animator certification training program for youth vacation center leaders, recognized by the Fédération Wallonie-Bruxelles, offered annually to future holiday center animators at Virton, Farnières, and Ostende.
• Expli'CIDE Board Game A board game dedicated to children's rights, co-created with children and volunteers, designed to make the International Convention on the Rights of the Child accessible. Features two versions (child and professional) in one box, played by 3-8 players aged 8+, with 30-45 minute sessions. Sold at EUR 35 non-members, EUR 25 members.
• Walibi Day (Annual Free Theme Park Day) Annual free day at Walibi Belgium theme park for 2,300-2,750 disadvantaged children, offered as a 45-year tradition in partnership with Walibi Belgium.
• Arc-HAN-Ciel (Grottes de Han Day Trips) Biennial day event at the Domain of the Grottes de Han offering 1,200 underprivileged children free visits to caves, animal park, and prehistoric museum with animation activities.
• BXL Tour (Annual Cycling Fundraiser) Annual 40km Brussels cycling event where Arc-en-Ciel volunteers ride to raise funds for leisure activities for underprivileged children.

Quantifiable outcome

• 111,030 kg of food collected in 2026, enabling 26,958 leisure days for 20,440 children across 200 associations
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles7 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

17 partnerships are on record, tiered core and supporting.

• Fox & CiecoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 March 2025Long-standing retail partner operating 18-21 stores across Wallonia and Brussels. Acts as primary collection point for all three harvests: food (Opération Arc-en-Ciel), school supplies, and toys. Fox & Cie stores accept donations from the general public and have been partnering with Arc-en-Ciel for many years.
• Nostalgie (Magic Tour)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 November 2024Belgian radio station that organizes the annual Nostalgie Magic Tour, a 6-city toy collection tour. Has supported Arc-en-Ciel's toy harvest for 14 years. The tour visits Messancy, Bomerée, Nivelles, Namur, Woluwe, and Herstal, collecting and redistributing toys locally.
• NRJ BelgiumcoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 August 2024Radio partner that ran awareness campaigns to promote the school supply collection. Launched calls to solidarity among listeners, directing them to donate at Fox & Cie stores. Provided media amplification for the second phase of the 2024 school supply collection.
• Maniet! LuxuscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 August 2024Shoe retailer with 29 stores across Belgium that joined as a new partner for the school supply collection in 2024. Opened stores to collect donations from customers, significantly expanding collection reach.
• Ciaco (Louvain-la-Neuve)supportingChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorStationery and bookstore in Louvain-la-Neuve that serves as a collection point for school supplies. Also offers online purchase of school supply packs that are donated to Arc-en-Ciel for redistribution.
• Starpole (Auderghem)supportingChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorRetail store in Auderghem that serves as a food donation collection point during the Opération Arc-en-Ciel.
• Bureau Vallée (Maisières)supportingChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorStationery store in Maisières (Mons area) that joined as a new partner for school supply collection in 2024, expanding the network to the Hainaut region.
• BebatsupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerBattery recycling organization that collected 5,126 kg of used batteries during the 2024 Nostalgie Magic Tour and donated 15,000 EUR to Arc-en-Ciel to fund holiday stays for children.
• Walibi BelgiumcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTheme park that has been offering free days to disadvantaged children annually for 45 years. Provides 2,500+ entry tickets each year. In 2024, additionally offered 10 annual subscriptions and 250 extra entries to celebrate the 45th anniversary.
• Domaine des Grottes de HancoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNature domain in the Ardennes that hosts the Arc-HAN-Ciel event every two years, offering 1,200 free places (600 per Saturday) for disadvantaged children to discover the caves, animal park, and prehistoric museum.
• Magic Air EventssupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerOrganized the 'Han-Vol et Vous' hot air balloon experience, offering baptisms of air to 6 groups of young people and their companions during the Arc-HAN-Ciel weekend of May 10-12, 2024.
• Jeunesses MusicalessupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerMusic education organization that runs the annual 'Ma voix, Mes droits' event celebrating children's rights through music. Arc-en-Ciel partnered with them for the November children's rights week activities.
• ProximussupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerBelgian telecommunications company that provided subsidies for the 2024 school supply collection, enabling purchase of school supplies for redistribution.
• EquanssupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerCompany that provided subsidies for the 2024 school supply collection, contributing to the purchase of school supplies for disadvantaged children.
• Disneyland ParissupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerProvided 150 places for children to visit the theme park on April 5, 2025, following the 2024 Nostalgie Magic Tour. An increase from 30 places offered in previous years.
• Coordination-CRHsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvided support for the production and publication of the Expli'CIDE board game, co-funded by Coordination-CRH, COCOF, and Fédération Wallonie-Bruxelles.
• Suarez (musician)supportingGTM or Marketing PartnerBelgian singer who served as godfather/parrain of the 2024 Nostalgie Magic Tour, making appearances to encourage volunteers and closing the week with a concert.

Scale indicators16 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Fondation Roi Baudouin: Belgium's largest foundation supporting social, health, and youth causes. Comparable in receiving multi-source public/private funding and serving youth welfare, though operating more as a grantmaking intermediary than direct service provider like Arc-en-Ciel.
• Les Restos du Cœur: French/Belgian non-profit operating one of Europe's largest annual food collection and distribution networks for disadvantaged populations. Most directly comparable to Arc-en-Ciel on the food-drive operational model and volunteer-led collection apparatus, though much larger in scope and serving all ages.
• Croix-Rouge de Belgique: Belgian Red Cross operates humanitarian programs including child welfare, vacation stays for disadvantaged children, and food assistance. Comparable to Arc-en-Ciel in mission and beneficiary focus (disadvantaged children, leisure access) but with much broader humanitarian scope.
• UNICEF Belgique: Belgian national committee of UNICEF working on children's rights advocacy and education. Direct overlap with Arc-en-Ciel's Expli'CIDE rights-education mission, and both share government-recognized credibility and corporate-partner fundraising channels.

Direct peers

• Ligue des Familles: Belgian family organization advocating for children's rights and family welfare, with educational programming and youth services. Comparable beneficiary focus (children and families) and rights-advocacy orientation, particularly around leisure and education access.
• SOS Villages d'Enfants Belgique: Belgian arm of SOS Children's Villages operating alternative care and youth support programs for disadvantaged children. Comparable beneficiary segment (vulnerable children) and similar reliance on residential programs, though with a stronger focus on long-term care rather than short-term leisure stays.
• ATD Quart Monde Belgique: Belgian branch of ATD Fourth World, focused on extreme poverty and children's rights, with strong overlap to Arc-en-Ciel's beneficiary population (disadvantaged children and families). Comparable in advocacy focus on Article 31 of the CRC (right to leisure) and rights-based educational tools.
• Banque Alimentaire de Belgique: Belgian Federation of Food Banks collecting and redistributing food to 640+ charitable organizations. Direct operational peer to Arc-en-Ciel's Opération Arc-en-Ciel model, with comparable geographic scope (Wallonia, Brussels, Flanders) and similar reliance on volunteer-driven retail collection points.

Regional players

• Cap 48: Belgian charity (RTBF-driven) running annual fundraising campaigns for disability and youth causes. Comparable on French-speaking Belgian media-driven fundraising model and corporate-partner mobilization, but focused on disability rather than leisure access.
• Vlaamse Jeugdraad: Flemish youth council representing youth movements and organizations in Flanders. Comparable structural role as a recognized youth-organization umbrella body, but serves the parallel Flemish ecosystem where Arc-en-Ciel does not operate.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCgcEbeoJ_ADb0mUWzBJ1T6A
• Facebookfacebook.com/Arc.en.Ciel.asbl
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/arc-en-ciel-asbl
• Instagraminstagram.com/arcencielasbl

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

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 Arc-en-Ciel ASBL