COC
COC Nederland is a Dutch non-profit LGBTQ+ advocacy and community-support federation founded in 1946, headquartered in Amsterdam, serving members across youth, senior, healthcare, education, and corporate-diversity segments through 20 regional associations and 1,300+ volunteers.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1946
- HeadquartersBergen op Zoom, Noord-Brabant, Netherlands
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B and B2C
- OfferingServices
What COC does
COC Nederland is a Dutch non-profit LGBTQ+ advocacy and community-support organization headquartered in Amsterdam, founded in 1946 and recognized as the world's longest-existing LGBTQ+ advocacy body. It operates as a federation of 20 regional associations supported by more than 1,300 volunteers, and holds formal recognition as an ANBI public-benefit organization, a CBF-registered charity, and a CAF-validated entity, with consultative status at the United Nations and the European Union. Its functional mandate spans political advocacy, community support, youth and senior programming, healthcare certification, and corporate diversity engagement.
COC delivers its mission through a layered portfolio of programs. The Switchboard operates a long-running LGBTQ+ support hotline (in operation for 40 years), Jong&Out and Expreszo serve LGBTQ+ youth through in-person and online channels, Roze 50+ addresses senior community needs, and dedicated programs reach deaf/hard-of-hearing members (Roze Gebaar), members with intellectual disabilities (Zonder Stempel), autistic members (AutiRoze), and multicultural communities (Respect2Love). The Roze Loper certification system rates healthcare providers on LGBTQ+ inclusion, while GSA networks and the Paarse Vrijdag (Purple Friday) school campaign extend the organization's reach into educational institutions. COC Academy trains volunteers internally, and COC Songfestival is a recurring cultural event (30th edition in 2026). Newer offerings include the "Astra op Ontdekking" toolkit for primary-education professionals and a digital membership card.
The organization is chaired by Myrtille Danse and is funded through a diversified non-profit revenue mix: individual memberships (€51 standard, €30 reduced for welfare/youth), donations, legacies, and corporate partnership income from a roster that includes Nike EMEA, IKEA, EVBox, HEMA, and Ahold Delhaize. Governance is anchored in the federated 20-association structure, with central advocacy and program functions based in Amsterdam. In 2026, COC secured passage of a Dutch ban on conversion practices and is positioned as a host-organization partner for WorldPride Amsterdam, coinciding with the organization's 80th anniversary.
COC firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- COC
- Legal name
- Federatie COC Nederland
- Website
- https://coc.nl
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1946
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- COC Nederland is a Dutch non-profit LGBTQ+ advocacy and community-support federation founded in 1946, headquartered in Amsterdam, serving members across youth, senior, healthcare, education, and corporate-diversity segments through 20 regional associations and 1,300+ volunteers.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
COC industry classification
Industry- Product category
- LGBTQ+ Advocacy and Community Services
- NAICS
- Social Advocacy Organizations (8133), Human Rights Organizations (813311), Business, Professional, Labor, Political, and Similar Organizations (8139), Business Associations (813910)
- SIC
- Services-Membership Organizations (8600)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Federated Giving Organizations (e.g., United Way-type) (BPAGAKAG)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Special Education, Disability Support & Inclusive Education Nonprofits (BPAGADAH)
Keywords
Where COC is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Bergen op Zoom, Noord-Brabant
- HQ country
- Netherlands
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices2 records
Markets served
COC business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B and B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others
Revenue model
- Membership fees: Annual membership fees provide core funding. Members pay either the standard rate of €51 or reduced rate of €30 (for those on welfare or youth up to age 25). COC Netherlands receives 40% of membership fees, with 60% going to regional associations.
- Donations: Individual donations through one-time payments, monthly recurring donations, quarterly, semi-annual, or annual giving. Donations can be made via iDeal, Tikkie, or bank transfer. Tax-deductible for ANBI contributions.
- Legacies and bequests: COC accepts legacies and bequests from supporters, allowing individuals to include COC in their wills. As an ANBI institution, legacies are exempt from inheritance tax.
- Corporate partnerships: Companies partner with COC for LGBTQ+ inclusive policies, PR/marketing advice, and CSR objectives. Partnerships provide financial support in exchange for advisory services and community impact programs.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Annual | Standard annual membership |
| Subscription | Annual | Reduced rate for welfare recipients |
| Subscription | Annual | Youth rate |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels8 records
COC product offering
Product offeringCore offering
COC Nederland is a federated non-profit advocacy organization operating 20 regional associations across the Netherlands, providing LGBTQ+ community support, advocacy, education programs, and direct services such as the Switchboard support hotline, youth and seniors communities, school acceptance campaigns (Paarse Vrijdag), healthcare certification (Roze Loper), and corporate inclusion consulting. The organization is funded through individual memberships (€51/year standard, €30 reduced), donations, legacies, and corporate partnerships, with the federation retaining 40% of membership fees and distributing 60% to regional associations.
Product overview
COC Nederland is a federation of 19-20 regional LGBTQ+ advocacy associations and the world's oldest continuously operating LGBTQ+ organization (established 1946). The organization operates as a unified advocacy movement offering direct community services including Switchboard (support hotline), youth programs (Jong&Out), senior communities (Roze 50+), and youth media (Expreszo). Sub-brands address specific communities: Roze Gebaar (deaf/hard-of-hearing LGBTQ+), Zonder Stempel (intellectual disabilities), Respect2Love (multicultural backgrounds), and AutiRoze (autism). Educational initiatives include GSA school groups and Paarse Vrijdag. Organizational services encompass the Roze Loper healthcare certification, corporate partnerships, and volunteer training via the COC Academy. A digital membership card system is provided through Ledenpas.nl.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Switchboard: Information and support hotline for LGBT+ persons and others seeking information about sexual orientation and gender diversity.
- Expreszo
- Jong&Out
- Roze50Plus
- Roze Gebaar
- Zonder Stempel
- AutiRoze
- Respect2Love
- Roze Loper
- Bob Angelo Fonds
- Gender & Sexuality Alliance (GSA)
Products and services
- Switchboard
- Jong&Out
- Roze 50+
- Expreszo
- Gender & Sexuality Alliance (GSA)
- Roze Loper
- Roze Gebaar
- Zonder Stempel
- Respect2Love
- AutiRoze
- Paarse Vrijdag (Purple Friday)
- COC Academy
- Digital Membership Card
- Corporate Partnership Programs
Quantifiable outcome
- Legalized same-sex marriage in the Netherlands (2001)
- +4 more outcomes
Companies that use COC
Customer profileNamed customers5 records
Segments6 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
COC technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration7 records
COC partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
15 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Nike EMEAcoreLong-standing partnership where Nike values COC as a trusted advisor, connector, and community partner. COC participated in IDAHOBIT educational panels, and Nike's Pride Network collaborates on creating a more inclusive workplace.
- HEMAcoreCorporate partner participating in Winter Pride 2026, working with COC on Pride-related initiatives.
- Ahold DelhaizecoreParticipated in Winter Pride 2026. COC conducted Lunch & Learn sessions on LGBTQ+ inclusion and Pride communication for Ahold Delhaize's Pride team and employees from various departments.
- KLMminorCorporate partner at Winter Pride 2026, collaborating on LGBTQ+ initiatives.
- L'OréalminorCorporate partner at Winter Pride 2026.
- LVMHminorCorporate partner at Winter Pride 2026.
- The UsualminorCorporate partner at Winter Pride 2026.
- TikTokminorCorporate partner at Winter Pride 2026.
- UberminorCorporate partner at Winter Pride 2026.
- ConverseminorCorporate partner at Winter Pride 2026.
- EtosminorCorporate partner at Winter Pride 2026.
- The Magnum Ice Cream CompanyminorCorporate partner at Winter Pride 2026.
- IKEA NetherlandscoreCorporate partnership focused on diversity, equality, and inclusion. IKEA's Country Equality, D&I Leader participated in Winter Pride events and COC has conducted educational sessions at IKEA offices, helping establish a Pride Network within the company.
- EVBoxcoreFive-year consecutive partnership supporting LGBTQ+ Pride initiatives. EVBox collaborated with COC on Pride campaigns and participated in community events.
- IHLIA (International Homo/Lesbian Information Archive)minorCultural heritage partner receiving archival materials from COC supporters. COC members Frans and Gerard donated portions of their archive to IHLIA.
Scale indicators7 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
COC competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- PFLAG: US-based LGBTQ+ family and ally organization with chapter-based network, comparable in grassroots volunteer-driven model and education mission.
- Human Rights Campaign: Largest US LGBTQ+ civil rights advocacy organization, comparable in policy advocacy, corporate engagement, and member-supported funding model.
- GLAAD: US LGBTQ+ media advocacy organization comparable in advocacy, corporate partnership engagement, and education/outreach mission.
- ILGA-Europe: European-region LGBTQ+ federation coordinating member organizations across Europe, directly comparable to COC's federated national advocacy model but operating at pan-European scale.
- Stonewall (UK): UK's largest LGBTQ+ rights charity providing advocacy, workplace inclusion programs, and community services—directly comparable in mission, member-driven funding model, and corporate partnership business.
- LSVD (Lesben- und Schwulenverband Deutschland): Germany's leading LGBTQ+ advocacy federation, comparable in federated national structure, multi-community sub-branding, and policy advocacy focus.
- Outright International: International LGBTQ+ human rights organization operating across 35+ countries, directly comparable to COC's international activism work and human rights advocacy focus.
Emerging players
- Transgender Europe (TGEU): European transgender rights advocacy organization, comparable as a niche-focused LGBTQ+ advocacy peer with strong EU policy engagement and member organization network.
Regional players
- Aidsfonds: Dutch HIV/AIDS and sexual health charity sharing donor base, ANBI status, and national advocacy positioning with COC, with overlapping intersection on LGBTQ+ health.
- COC Belgium: Belgian counterpart to COC Nederland sharing the same name, federated advocacy structure, and LGBTQ+ rights mission—directly comparable peer in adjacent market.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
COC social profiles
Digital presenceCOC compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance3 records
COC financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
COC leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
COC subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries10 records
COC funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
COC 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 COC
What does COC do?
COC Nederland is a federated non-profit advocacy organization operating 20 regional associations across the Netherlands, providing LGBTQ+ community support, advocacy, education programs, and direct services such as the Switchboard support hotline, youth and seniors communities, school acceptance campaigns (Paarse Vrijdag), healthcare certification (Roze Loper), and corporate inclusion consulting. The organization is funded through individual memberships (€51/year standard, €30 reduced), donations, legacies, and corporate partnerships, with the federation retaining 40% of membership fees and distributing 60% to regional associations.
Is COC a public or private company?
COC is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was COC founded?
COC was founded in 1946. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is COC based?
COC is headquartered in Bergen op Zoom, Noord-Brabant, Netherlands, in the Europe region.
How does COC make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Membership fees are the primary driver. The others are donations, legacies and bequests and corporate partnerships.
Who are COC's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are PFLAG, Human Rights Campaign, GLAAD, ILGA-Europe, Stonewall (UK), LSVD (Lesben- und Schwulenverband Deutschland) and Outright International. Transgender Europe (TGEU) is listed as an emerging player. Regional players are Aidsfonds and COC Belgium.
Does COC have an API?
No public API is recorded for COC.
What industry is COC in?
COC's product category is LGBTQ+ Advocacy and Community Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAGAKAG, Federated Giving Organizations (e.g., United Way-type), with a secondary code of BPAGADAH, Special Education, Disability Support & Inclusive Education Nonprofits. Its NAICS code is 8133 and its SIC code is 8600.