Iona Stichting

What Iona Stichting does

Iona Stichting is a Dutch charitable foundation (ANBI-registered stichting) founded on 17 March 1966 in Amsterdam by architect Jan van der Linden and his wife Ernée 't Hooft – van der Linden. It channels capital from individual donors and bequests into projects inspired by anthroposophy, with thematic coverage across Waldorf education, biodynamic agriculture, anthroposophical healthcare, arts and culture, youth and social renewal, and new economic models. The foundation supported over 200 projects in 2022 (€1.39 million disbursed) and around 165 directly in 2023 (€1.83 million disbursed out of 325 applications), and maintains a portfolio of named funds (fondsen op naam) such as Fonds 2046 and Fonds Vrijplaats voor kinderen.

The foundation operates on a non-commercial revenue model: primary inflows are donations and bequests (over €883,000 in 2022), supplemented by returns on its endowment capital (stamkapitaal) managed by DoubleDividend and by repayments from its Iona Leningen revolving loan programme (€50,000–€250,000 loans to social enterprises, launched 2022). It also administers third-party funds (derdenfondsen) such as Earth Charter Nederland Deelgenootschap and Eigendom Anders. Its recent strategic moves include the Iona Vrijgoed real-estate de-speculation initiative (modelled on the Swiss Edith Maryon Stiftung), the New Definitions fund co-founded with Odin, Claudy Jongstra, and Galerie Fontana Amsterdam (January 2024), and a bid in September 2026 for the Koetshuis on Landgoed de Reehorst. The organization is governed by a Raad van Toezicht (Bas Holvast chair, Solveigh Bijkerk vice-chair) and operated by a seven-person bureau led by directeur-bestuurder Robert Viëtor and adjunct-directeur Christine Geertsema, from its historic Herengracht 276 headquarters in Amsterdam.

Name

Iona Stichting

Legal name

Iona Stichting

Website

https://iona.nl

Company type

Private

Founded year

1966

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Iona Stichting is a Dutch ANBI-registered charitable foundation, founded in 1966 in Amsterdam, that channels donations, bequests, and a revolving loan fund into projects inspired by anthroposophy — Waldorf education, biodynamic agriculture, healthcare, arts, youth, and new economics — serving project initiators across the Netherlands and Europe.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Charitable Foundation Grantmaking

NAICS

Grantmaking Foundations (813211)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYBPAGAKAK

Education Grantmaking Foundations

Business & Public Services/Nonprofit, NGO & Social Services/Philanthropy, Foundations & Grantmaking

SECONDARYBPAGAKAI

Research & Science Grantmaking Foundations

Business & Public Services/Nonprofit, NGO & Social Services/Philanthropy, Foundations & Grantmaking

SECONDARYBPAGAKAH

International Grantmaking & Development Foundations

Business & Public Services/Nonprofit, NGO & Social Services/Philanthropy, Foundations & Grantmaking

SECONDARYBPAGAKAM

Environmental & Climate Grantmaking Foundations

Business & Public Services/Nonprofit, NGO & Social Services/Philanthropy, Foundations & Grantmaking

Keywords

• Charitable foundation grants
• Anthroposophical funding
• Social lending programs
• Donor fund management
• Community grantmaking

Headquarters

HQ city

Amsterdam

HQ country

Netherlands

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Donations and Bequests (Schenkingen en Nalatenschappen): The primary revenue source is voluntary donations and bequests from individuals and organizations inspired by anthroposophy and related fields. The foundation maintains a system of named funds (fondsen op naam) through which donors direct their contributions to specific thematic areas. In 2022, over €883 thousand in donations and bequests was received. The foundation has a charitable (ANBI) status in the Netherlands, making gifts tax-deductible for donors.
2. Return on Investment Capital: The foundation operates a stamkapitaal (endowment capital) model. Returns from this capital (managed by DoubleDividend and via direct investments such as Iona Leningen) generate income to cover operating costs. A portion of the endowment is allocated to mission-related investments in social enterprises.
3. Loan Repayments (Iona Leningen): Iona Leningen provides small loans (€50,000–€250,000) to social enterprises aligned with the foundation's mission. Repayments with annual compensation flow back into the foundation's capital, which is reinvested in new loans, creating a revolving impact fund.
4. Third-Party Fund Pass-through (Derdenfondsen): The foundation administers third-party funds (e.g., Earth Charter Nederland Deelgenootschap, Eigendom Anders) where donations are collected and redistributed to aligned initiatives, with the foundation facilitating governance and disbursement.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

Iona Stichting is a Dutch charitable foundation that provides grants and low-interest loans (€50,000-€250,000) to projects aligned with anthroposophy in the areas of Waldorf education, biodynamic agriculture, healthcare, arts, youth development, and social renewal. It operates a digital application portal for grant requests, manages named funds (fondsen op naam) that align donor intent with specific themes, and runs supplementary initiatives including the Iona Vrijgoed real estate de-speculation program and the BLAN academic network.

Product overview

Iona Stichting is a Dutch charitable foundation established in 1966 that acts as a grant-making organization supporting projects in anthroposophy and related fields. The organization operates as a unified platform combining grant programs, loan services, real estate initiatives, cultural projects, and educational content. Core offerings include direct financial grants (Toekenningen), an online application portal (aanvragen.iona.nl), social lending (Iona Leningen), and property liberation (Iona Vrijgoed). The foundation maintains named funds including Fonds 2046, Fonds Vrijplaats voor kinderen, and Earth Charter Nederland Deelgenootschap. Cultural initiatives include the Guernica de la Ecología artwork, the Broze Aarde musical project, and a podcast series. The organization also facilitates academic networking through BLAN and promotes new ownership models via Eigendom Anders.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Iona Vrijgoed: Own initiative focused on freeing real estate from commercial markets to provide affordable housing and workspaces
• Iona Leningen
• Iona Woon- en Werkplekken

Products and services

• Grant Programs (Toekenningen) Financial grants awarded to vetted project initiators across anthroposophical domains including Waldorf education, biodynamic agriculture, healthcare, arts, youth, and social renewal. The foundation received 285-325 applications annually, with 165-174 projects receiving direct grants totaling approximately €1.4-1.8 million per year.
• Iona Leningen (Iona Loans) Social lending program providing loans between €50,000 and €250,000 to societal enterprises and organizations aligned with the foundation's objectives. Repayments with annual compensation flow back into the foundation's capital, creating a revolving impact fund.
• Iona Vrijgoed (Housing and Workspaces) Initiative to free real estate from commercial markets and financial systems. The foundation purchases properties to maintain them as affordable housing and workspaces for inspired living and working. Key example: the Koetshuis on Landgoed de Reehorst in Driebergen-Zeist.
• Iona Podcast Series Podcast series featuring interviews with project initiators across categories including agriculture, economy, art, education, and healthcare. Distributed via SoundCloud and Spotify. Available in Dutch and English.
• Fonds 2046 Named fund (fondscode 2046) focused on culture and society, supporting female empowerment, selflessness, inspired education, and approaching people and situations without judgment.
• Fonds Vrijplaats voor kinderen Earmarked fund for purchasing and freeing a farm in Havelte for the Maminka childcare center, affiliated with Sleipnir, to preserve anthroposophically-inspired child development. Goal: raise €150,000 in donations toward the purchase of a farm.
• Earth Charter Nederland Deelgenootschap Third-party fund bringing together Dutch organizations and people connected to Earth Charter International, organizing seasonal meetings and annual Earth Day celebrations with themes of planetary wellbeing, regeneration, ethics, and entrepreneurship.
• Broze Aarde (Fragile Earth) Musical Project Musical project collaboration with the Nederlands Blazers Ensemble (NBE) featuring an oratorio composed by Fant de Kanter, based on South African writer Antjie Krog's text about planetary fragility. Includes school choir involvement and an education program developed with Hogeschool Leiden.
• Bernard Lievegoed Academisch Netwerk (BLAN) Academic network supporting anthroposophically-inspired scientific research, organizing symposiums and promoting dialogues on the relationship between faith and science. Co-governed by Iona Stichting.
• Eigendom Anders (Property Differently) Initiative creating space for encounter and exercise in discovering new perspectives on property, ownership, and stewardship from a desire for a livable world. Organizes the biennial 'Eigendom Anders Festival' and supports knowledge sharing and educational materials.

Quantifiable outcome

• €1.39 million disbursed to 200+ initiatives in 2022; €1.83 million disbursed in 2023 to 165 projects out of 325 applications
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers10 records

Segments8 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration3 records

Feature3 records

Partnerships

15 partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, core and minor.

• Nederlands Blazers Ensemble (NBE)flagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 October 2026Iona Stichting partnered with the Nederlands Blazers Ensemble for the 'Broze Aarde' (Fragile Earth) musical project — an oratorio based on South African writer Antjie Krog's text, composed by Fant de Kanter, with performances by Studium Chorale and soloist Christianne Stotijn. The project includes school choir involvement and an education program developed with Hogeschool Leiden. Performances scheduled across 7 Dutch venues in October 2026.
• Earth Charter Nederland – DeelgenootschapcoreOthers · 1 January 2025A third-party fund (derdenfonds) managed by Iona Stichting, bringing together Dutch organizations and individuals connected to Earth Charter International. The fund organizes seasonal meetings and an annual Earth Charter Day celebration, with themes of planetary wellbeing, regeneration, ethics, and entrepreneurship. Iona Stichting co-organized the 25th anniversary celebration of Earth Charter in 2025, hosting a three-day event in the Netherlands.
• AntropiaminorOthers · 1 January 2025A cultural and conference venue in Zeist that hosted the WGA-NL meeting in 2025. The Koetshuis initiative on Landgoed de Reehorst in Driebergen-Zeist plans to preserve the Tuinzalen for continued use by Antropia. Iona Stichting coordinated the WGA-NL meeting logistics with Antropia as the host venue.
• Claudy Jongstra (Kunstenares)flagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Iona Stichting acquired Claudy Jongstra's monumental textile artwork 'Guernica de la Ecología' with the aim of having it travel across Europe to inspire dialogue on biodiversity, artisanal craftsmanship, and regenerative agriculture. A 'Guernica kring' (circle of supporters) was formed to fund the ongoing travel and programming. Iona and Claudy jointly launched the 'New Definitions' fund (with Odin and Galerie Fontana Amsterdam) supporting patent-free organic plant breeding, agricultural diversity, and artistic collaboration.
• Galerie Fontana AmsterdamflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Co-founder of the New Definitions fund alongside Iona Stichting, Claudy Jongstra, and Odin. The fund supports diversity and creativity in farming, food, culture, and fashion, beginning with a patent- and GMO-free organic plant breeding program. Galerie Fontana contributed proceeds from the sale of three large Claudy Jongstra works ('Tangible Transformations') to capitalize the fund.
• Bernard Lievegoed Academisch Netwerk (BLAN)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024BLAN supports anthroposophically inspired academic research and provides a network for researchers. Iona Stichting co-governs BLAN and co-organizes its events, including annual symposia (held at venues such as Catharijne Convent Utrecht, R.C. Maagdenhuis Amsterdam, and Kunstmuseum Den Haag). A curatorium including professors Jaap Sijmons, Klaas van Egmond, and Jesse Mulder oversees BLAN's academic direction.
• Edith Maryon Stiftung (Switzerland)minorOthers · 1 January 2024The Swiss Edith Maryon Stiftung serves as a model and advisor for the Iona Vrijgoed / Iona Woon- en Werkplekken initiative. The Swiss foundation has committed to support Iona Stichting in building this new initiative, providing expertise in freeing real estate from speculative markets.
• World Goetheanum Association (WGA)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Iona Stichting is an active member of the WGA, attending annual international meetings and hosting local Dutch WGA-NL gatherings (WGA-NL). The 2025 WGA-NL meeting was hosted at Antropia in Zeist, organized in collaboration with partners including ODIN, BD-landbouw, SLEIPNIR, and Mila Biesot from Iona Stichting.
• Eigendom AnderscoreOthers · 1 January 2022A third-party fund (derdenfonds, fondscode 6032) under Iona Stichting's governance, focused on new perspectives around ownership, property, and stewardship. The fund organizes the biennial 'Eigendom Anders Festival' and supports knowledge sharing and educational materials. Supported jointly by Iona and DIIF (Foundation for Social Enterprises). Jennifer Benson serves as the fund's inspirer/helder. Website: eigendomanders.nl.
• Iona Vrijgoed / Iona Woon- en WerkplekkencoreOthers · 1 January 2022An own initiative of the Iona Stichting inspired by the Swiss Edith Maryon Stiftung model. The goal is to acquire special buildings and land ('Koetshuis op de Reehorst' being a key example) from the commercial market, freeing them from speculative ownership, and making them available at social rents for inspired living and working. The 'Koetshuis' initiative in Driebergen-Zeist aims to preserve buildings for Waldorf education, arts workshops, and the Claudy Jongstra Foundation.
• Antroposofische Vereniging in Nederland (AViN)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2022The AViN and Iona Stichting now work in close collaboration and support each other. After historical tensions during the founding of the Vrije Hogeschool, the two organizations have achieved strong mutual support. Iona Stichting supported the development of 'Atelier Antroposofie & Samenleving' (a successor to the Scholingscursus voor Antroposofie), jointly governed by Iona and AViN.
• ENDA (European Network for Dynamic Education)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2022European network of organizations in Waldorf pedagogy, healing pedagogy, and therapy. Iona Stichting participates in annual ENDA meetings (attended 2022 in Paris; 2023 in Järna, Sweden) for connection and exchange of experiences across European anthroposophical education.
• Stiftungentreffen (European Foundation Network)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2022A European network of a dozen foundations and endowments connected to the anthroposophical movement. Iona Stichting participates in annual meetings (held 2022 in Witten-Herdecke and Bochum, Germany; 2023 in Stuttgart at the Mahle Stiftung), discussing joint funding strategies and shared thematic priorities.
• Gilde Filantropie Oude Kerk (Amsterdam)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2022An association of Amsterdam-based foundations that support the Oude Kerk (Old Church) and local projects in Amsterdam city center. Iona Stichting participates in joint initiatives including the Buurtfonds Centrum, which provides small grants to local Amsterdam initiatives. The Gilde also helps Iona maintain its network with other Amsterdam foundations.
• FiN (Branchevereniging van Fondsen en Stichtingen)minorOthers · 1 January 2022Dutch fundraising association representing foundations and endowings. Iona Stichting is a member and participates in the Landelijk Fondsen Overleg (LFO) and the Amsterdams Fondsenoverleg. The FiN advocates for members' interests and provides a platform for knowledge sharing and professional development.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights7 records

Direct peers

• Stichting DOEN: Dutch ANBI foundation funding innovators in culture, youth, sustainable food, and creative industries. Closely comparable to Iona in mission breadth (arts, youth, regenerative initiatives), Dutch ANBI structure, and multi-domain grantmaking plus participation financing — directly competes for the same Dutch donor and grantee pool.
• Stichting Wilde Ganzen: Dutch ANBI foundation funding small-scale community development projects internationally with a co-financing model. Comparable in mission (supporting grassroots initiatives abroad), ANBI structure, donor engagement model, and project-driven grantmaking approach.
• Stichting Edith Maryon (Switzerland): Swiss anthroposophical foundation that acquires real estate to remove it from speculative markets — explicitly named as the model for Iona's Vrijgoed/Woon- en Werkplekken initiative. Shares anthroposophical mission, ANBI-equivalent status, and the property liberation thesis.
• GLS Treuhand / Zukunftsstiftung Entwicklung: German anthroposophical foundation administering endowed capital for social, educational, and ecological initiatives. Directly comparable as an anthroposophical grantmaking foundation in a neighboring country, co-attendee of European Stiftungentreffen, and operator of mission-aligned investment vehicles similar to Iona Leningen.

Broad incumbents

• Stiftungstreffen / Software AG Foundation (SAGST): Member of the Stiftungentreffen network alongside Iona, supporting anthroposophical and education initiatives across Europe. Comparable as a foundation partner in shared European anthroposophical funding strategy and a member of the same Stiftungentreffen annual convenings.
• Stichting Cordaid (formerly Memisa): Large Dutch development organization and ANBI that funds education, health, and resilience initiatives across emerging markets. Comparable in ANBI/government co-funding model, focus on international education/health grants, and Dutch philanthropic infrastructure membership.
• Stichting Triodos Foundation: Dutch ANBI foundation linked to Triodos Bank, channeling donations to sustainable food, agriculture, and social enterprise. Highly comparable to Iona as a Dutch grantmaking foundation supporting regenerative/biodynamic farming, organic food, and impact-aligned lending; operates at a much larger asset scale.

Emerging players

• Stichting Nederlandse Vrijescholen: Umbrella organization for Dutch Waldorf/anthroposophical schools — the primary beneficiary ecosystem for Iona's largest grantmaking theme. Comparable as an anthroposophical mission-driven entity and as a co-recipient of named funds; not a direct foundation competitor but a deeply aligned ecosystem partner.
• Stichting Raphaël: Dutch anthroposophical healthcare/social therapy foundation led by Bas Holvast, who is also Iona's Raad van Toezicht chair. Overlapping board leadership, shared anthroposophical mission, and shared donor network make it a tightly linked sector peer.

Regional players

• Stichting Buurtfonds Centrum (Amsterdam): Small local Amsterdam fund that provides micro-grants to neighborhood initiatives — co-organized with Iona via the Gilde Filantropie Oude Kerk. Comparable as a Dutch grantmaking entity operating at the hyper-local level, though scoped strictly to Amsterdam city-center projects.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks2 records

Key highlights2 records

Customer concentration

• Xlinkedin.com/company/iona-stichting
• Facebookfacebook.com/ionastichting2
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/iona-stichting
• Instagraminstagram.com/iona_stichting

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles13 records

Subsidiaries4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Iona Stichting