DE MINDERE

What DE MINDERE does

DE MINDERE is a private non-profit (vzw) Franciscan heritage museum located in the former Minderbroeders monastery in Sint-Truiden, Belgium, operating since 1988 with a five-person team. It preserves and shares a collection of more than 15,000 objects of Franciscan origin, four of which are designated Flemish Top Pieces by heritage authorities, and it is the only museum in Belgium dedicated to this heritage. The museum functions as both a public exhibition space and an official heritage depot serving the Belgian Franciscan order.

The museum operates free admission open daily except Mondays, with paid programming layered on top: guided group tours at 75 euros per guide, school programs at 15 euros per class (free for Sint-Truiden schools), confirmation candidate sessions at 70 euros, and customized workshops. Revenue is supplemented by voluntary donations and three government funding streams — the Flemish Community, the Province of Limburg, and the City of Sint-Truiden — along with partnership support from organizations such as Cera and Erfgoed Haspengouw.

Digital infrastructure consists of a Ricoh Tours 360-degree virtual tour (in partnership with Aktimmo), the FARO ErfgoedApp smartphone-based self-guided guide, and standard web/social channels. Educational programming spans primary and secondary schools, NT2/Dutch language learners, confirmation candidates (12-13 year olds), adults, seniors, and accessibility-customized audiences. Outreach is extended beyond the museum walls through DE MUSEUMBOX (mobile heritage boxes for residential care centers) and the 2025-2026 Z8 anniversary programming tied to 800 years of the Canticle of the Creatures. Customer segments are diversified across families, schools, seniors, language learners, and vulnerable populations.

Name

DE MINDERE

Legal name

Museum De Mindere

Website

https://demindere.be

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

DE MINDERE is a Flemish non-profit museum in Sint-Truiden, Belgium, preserving a 15,000-object Franciscan heritage collection and serving families, schools, seniors, language learners, and accessibility groups through exhibitions, educational programs, and mobile outreach.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Heritage Museum

NAICS

Museums (71211), Historical Sites (71212)

SIC

Services-Miscellaneous Amusement & Recreation (7990)

akta.pro primary industry

Museums & Heritage Sites (History, Science, Specialty) (BPAGAHAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Cultural Heritage Institutions (Archives, Historic Houses, Monuments Foundations) (THAJADAI), Cultural Heritage & Historic District Tours (THAJAAAB)

Keywords

• Heritage museum services
• Franciscan cultural heritage
• Educational school programs
• Guided museum tours
• Museum outreach programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Sint-Truiden

HQ country

Belgium

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Admission and Donations: The museum operates on a free admission model with voluntary donations from visitors. Revenue is supplemented by donations and gifts from individuals, businesses, and institutions who support cultural heritage preservation.
2. Guided Tours and Educational Programs: The museum charges for guided group tours (75 euros per guide) and educational programs for schools (15 euros per class, free for Sint-Truiden schools). Additional revenue comes from customized workshops and special programs for confirmation candidates, seniors, and NT2 language learners.
3. Government Subsidies and Sponsorship: DE MINDERE is supported by the Flemish Community, Province of Limburg, and City of Sint-Truiden. Restoration sponsorship opportunities are offered to businesses and associations. The museum also receives subsidies via the above-lokaal cultuurbeleid decree.
4. MuseumPass and UiTPAS: The museum accepts MuseumPassMusées and UiTPAS, generating revenue through these membership and cultural pass schemes.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

DE MINDERE is a heritage museum housed in the historic Minderbroeders (Franciscan) monastery in Sint-Truiden, Belgium, preserving and exhibiting more than 15,000 objects of Franciscan origin including four Flemish Top Pieces. Its core offering is open-access cultural heritage interpretation combined with paid guided tours, educational school programmes, rotating temporary exhibitions, and a mobile outreach concept (DE MUSEUMBOX) that delivers themed heritage boxes to residential care centres. The museum is supported by the Flemish Community, Province of Limburg and City of Sint-Truiden and operates as a recognized (erkend) non-profit museum.

Product overview

Museum DE MINDERE is a Franciscan heritage museum in Sint-Truiden, Belgium, offering a unified experience centered on its core permanent collection of over 15,000 Franciscan objects. The museum provides a portfolio of distinct programs and services including: the Vaste Collectie (permanent collection), Tijdelijke Tentoonstellingen (rotating exhibitions), ErfgoedApp (digital guide), Virtuele Tour (virtual tour), and educational offerings across all levels from primary school to adults including specialized NT2 language programs and Vormelingen preparation courses. Family-oriented offerings include Schatten van Vlieg (treasure hunt), Lapjesatelier (craft workshop), MuseumBINGO, and character programs Vik de vis and Vera de vogel for young children. The museum also extends reach through DE MUSEUMBOX mobile heritage program for care homes and offers customized visits for special needs groups. Educational programs are structured by target audience: Basisonderwijs, Secundair Onderwijs, Volwassenen, NT2, Vormelingen, and Op Maat categories.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Vaste Collectie (Permanent Collection) The museum's permanent exhibition of more than 15,000 religious artefacts, artworks and historical items related to Francis of Assisi and the Franciscan order, including four Flemish Top Pieces. Open to walk-in visitors daily except Monday, with free admission and voluntary donation.
• Tijdelijke Tentoonstellingen (Temporary Exhibitions) Rotating temporary exhibitions complementing the permanent collection, exploring themes such as the relics of Francis of Assisi, the 800th anniversary of the Canticle of the Creatures, Saint Trudo, and contemporary responses to Franciscan heritage.
• ErfgoedApp Digital Guide

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 150 seniors in residential care centers have participated in the DE MUSEUMBOX outreach program
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments8 records

Ideal customer profiles7 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature2 records

Partnerships

19 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Stad Sint-Truiden (City of Sint-Truiden)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe city of Sint-Truiden is a key supporter of the museum, providing financial support and promoting the museum through city branding. The museum is located in the city and serves as a cultural anchor in the municipality.
• Province of LimburgcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Province of Limburg provides financial support to the museum as part of regional cultural heritage funding.
• Vlaamse Gemeenschap (Flemish Community)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPrimary government funder of the museum. Provides operational subsidies, recognizes the museum as an 'erkend museum' (official museum status), and supports specific projects such as the above-lokaal cultuurbeleid (above-local cultural policy) and the Z8 anniversary programming.
• Erfgoed HaspengouwminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegional heritage network in the Haspengouw region that supports the museum's activities and heritage preservation efforts.
• CeraminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCera supports the museum by providing iPads for the ErfgoedApp digital guide, enhancing accessibility for visitors.
• dynamoOPWEGminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAs a recognized 'cultuurschakel' museum, DE MINDERE enables schools to access free school transport through the dynamoOPWEG program, removing financial barriers for school visits.
• Kunstacademie HaspengouwminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnered with the museum for the 'Trudo trekt rond' exhibition, where art students created monumental paintings on banners depicting themes from Saint Trudo's life.
• Dekenaat Sint-TruidenminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe deanery of Sint-Truiden collaborates with the museum for the 'Trudo trekt rond' exhibition, bringing heritage to life across various locations in the region.
• Z8 PartnerscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMultiple partner organizations involved in the Z8 (800 years of the Canticle of the Creatures) anniversary initiative, creating a network of cross-institutional exhibitions and events centered on the theme of nature, spirituality, and sustainability.
• vzw Kunst GroenminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborated with the museum on the 'Sacred Garden' exhibition in the historic monastery garden, bringing contemporary art installations to the outdoor space.
• WIRICminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerWIRIC, an activation center of vzw Vistha, contributes to the maintenance and programming of the museum's cloister garden and 'neerhof' area, and participates in Z8 programming with creative workshops inspired by the Canticle of the Creatures.
• vzw Vistha (TreAde)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerTreAde, an activation center of vzw Vistha, creates artworks inspired by the Canticle of the Creatures with participants in reintegration programs. These works are exhibited at the museum as part of Z8 Natuurverbondenheid.
• LPV, Vluchtelingenwerk Vlaanderen, Curieusvzw, PXL, nAFFtminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership network for the 'Over grenzen' (Across Borders) exhibition showcasing stories of newcomers in Limburg through photography and podcasts, combining institutional and community partners.
• Academie HaspengouwminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerContributed student artworks to the 'Trudo trekt rond' exhibition and the XL nativity scene exhibition, showcasing local talent in heritage-themed projects.
• Federatie van Vlaamse Kerststallenvrienden Stella DuceminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnered with the museum for the XL nativity scene exhibition, contributing pieces from the federation's collection alongside museum holdings and local amateur artist works.
• Verzameling Wilmots-CoolsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPrivate nativity scene collection featured in the XL Christmas exhibition, contributing to the diversity of displayed items from around the world.
• Koninklijke Kunstkring Sint-TruidenminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal arts organization contributing creative works to the Christmas nativity exhibition, combining professional and amateur artistic talent.
• Aalmoezenier Siska DeknudtminorOthersPrison chaplain who guided three detainees in an 'Imaginary Pilgrimage' project processing life histories and crime through reflective imagery, resulting in the exhibition 'De imaginaire pelgrimstocht'.
• Stad Sint-Truiden (for Kerststallenproject 'Samen rond Kerst')coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-produced the 'Samen rond Kerst' heritage project with the city of Sint-Truiden and the Flemish government, creating a city-wide nativity trail with 11 locations and a free walking map.

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Others

• Musée Hergé: A Belgian themed museum dedicated to Hergé's artistic heritage in Louvain-la-Neuve. Comparable as a Belgian heritage museum with permanent collection, temporary exhibitions, and educational programs for schools and families.
• Belgian Comic Strip Center: A Brussels-based museum dedicated to Belgian comic strip heritage with educational programs and tourist traffic. Comparable as a Belgian specialized museum with similar educational programming and visitor services model.

Broad incumbents

• Museum aan de Stroom (MAS): A large Flemish museum in Antwerp with permanent and temporary exhibitions, educational programs, and Flemish and municipal funding. Comparable as a Flemish museum competitor for cultural visitors and educational group bookings, though at significantly larger scale.
• Royal Museums of Fine Arts of Belgium: The Belgian federal fine arts museum complex in Brussels. Comparable as a publicly funded Belgian museum with permanent collection, educational programs, and Flemish/European visitor base, though operating at national scale.
• Groeningemuseum (Musea Brugge): Part of the Musea Brugge cluster in Bruges, a Flemish fine arts museum with permanent collection, educational programming, and tourist-driven footfall. Comparable as a Flemish museum destination competing for cultural tourists and educational group bookings.

Direct peers

• Gallo-Roman Museum (Tongeren): A regional heritage museum in Tongeren, Limburg, geographically close to Sint-Truiden. Comparable as a provincially supported Flemish heritage museum with permanent collection, educational programming, and temporary exhibitions.
• M - Museum Leuven: A recognized Flemish art and heritage museum in Leuven with a similar public-facing mission, educational programming, and Flemish government subsidy structure. Comparable in scope of educational services and free/low-cost public access.
• Basilica of San Francesco d'Assisi: The principal Franciscan heritage site in Assisi, Italy, preserving the tomb of Saint Francis and the original Franciscan friary. Directly comparable as a Franciscan heritage destination with major devotional and cultural-historische programming.
• Abbey of Maredsous: A Belgian Benedictine abbey with visitor heritage programming, museum elements, and gift/sponsorship revenue. Comparable as a religious-heritage visitor destination offering cultural and educational experiences in Belgium.
• Open Air Museum Bokrijk: A Limburg-based open-air heritage museum operated with provincial and Flemish support. Comparable in mission scope (Flemish heritage preservation), educational programming, and regional Limburg catchment.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCHUgdcJZ-rqVprG8w5nnBWA
• Facebookfacebook.com/DE-MINDERE-218654248148917
• Instagraminstagram.com/museum_demindere
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/de-mindere

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 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 DE MINDERE