What KansPlus does

KansPlus is a Dutch non-profit membership association (vereniging) founded in 2016 through the merger of VOGG (Vereniging Ouders en verwanten van mensen met een verstandelijke beperking) and WOI (Werkverband van Ouder- en Familieverenigingen in Instellingen), serving as the national interest network for people with intellectual disabilities and their relatives in the Netherlands. The organization delivers a portfolio of advocacy, knowledge, and community services rather than a unified product: it operates a Knowledge and Advice Centre for individual case support, the VraagRaak service that trains and advises client councils (cliëntenraden) at care institutions under the WMCZ 2018 framework, an extensive Kennisbank (knowledge bank) covering Dutch care legislation (Wlz, Wmo, Jeugdwet, Wzd), digital tools such as 'Wat als ik het niet meer kan?' for future-care planning, the MensenMensen podcast, the PlusPunt member publication, and the annual SamenSterkdag congress co-organized with LSR, LFB, and Ieder(in).

The organization is funded through three channels: recurring membership contributions, donations, and a multi-year PGO subsidy (subsidieregeling patiënten- en gehandicaptenorganisaties) administered by the Dutch Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport (VWS). It employs 11–50 staff at its headquarters in Houten, Utrecht, and supports a distributed network of regional member groups, family associations (familieverenigingen), and client councils. KansPlus does not operate proprietary technology infrastructure beyond its website, webshop, and webinar tooling; its intellectual property consists of policy positions, published guidelines (e.g., Handreiking Samen Sterk jointly with EMB Nederland and Naar Keuze, model medezeggenschapsregelingen with LSR), and its accumulated Dutch legislative expertise.

The organization's strategic position is defined by its recognized role in Dutch disability policy: it was a co-founder of the KCOZ (Klachtencommissie Onvrijwillige Zorg) established on January 1, 2020 alongside the implementation of the Wet zorg en dwang (Wzd), submits joint position papers with Ieder(in), LSR, LFB, and Sien to the Tweede Kamer and Ministry of VWS, and is embedded in a coalition that also includes EMB Nederland, Dit Koningskind, Per Saldo, and the cross-disability Toiletalliantie. Current leadership is Voorzitter Harold de Graaf (appointed October 2020), Vicevoorzitter José Laheij, and board members Lola Leenes and Lian Roovers, with directors including Mariska Schutte and Dickie van de Kaa.

Name

KansPlus

Legal name

KansPlus

Website

https://kansplus.nl

Company type

Private

Founded year

2016

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

KansPlus is a Dutch non-profit membership association founded in 2016, advocating for people with intellectual disabilities and their families through policy representation, individual advice, knowledge resources, and community events across the Netherlands.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Disability Advocacy Services

NAICS

Social Advocacy Organizations (8133), Human Rights Organizations (813311), Other Individual and Family Services (624190)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600), Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Disability Services & Independent Living Support (BPAGACAG)

akta.pro secondary industry

Minority, Indigenous & Disability Rights (BPADAGAH)

Keywords

• Disability advocacy services
• Intellectual disability support
• Patient advocacy organization
• Care legislation guidance
• Membership association

Headquarters

HQ city

Houten, Utrecht

HQ country

Netherlands

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership contributions: KansPlus operates as a membership organization. Members pay contributions to join and support the organization. Membership options include individual membership and family association membership. Members receive access to advice, support, knowledge resources, and networking opportunities.
2. Donations: KansPlus accepts donations from supporters who wish to contribute financially to the organization's mission without becoming formal members.
3. Government subsidy (PGO subsidy): KansPlus receives public funding through the PGO subsidy scheme (subsidieregeling patiënten- en gehandicaptenorganisaties) administered by the Dutch Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport (VWS). This is a multi-year subsidy framework supporting patient and disability organizations.

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

KansPlus is a Dutch non-profit membership organization (vereniging) that advocates for the rights and interests of people with intellectual disabilities and their families. It delivers individual advocacy, advice via a Knowledge and Advice Centre, training and support for client councils and family associations (VraagRaak), policy lobbying on Dutch care legislation (Wlz, Wmo, Jeugdwet, Wzd, WMCZ 2018), community events (SamenSterkdag), publications (PlusPunt, podcast MensenMensen), and a comprehensive digital knowledge bank.

Product overview

KansPlus is a Dutch advocacy organization (belangenorganisatie) for people with intellectual disabilities and their families. Rather than a unified software product, it offers a portfolio of services including advocacy support, a knowledge bank, a co-determination service (VraagRaak), a podcast (MensenMensen), publications (PlusPunt), events (SamenSterkdag), and collaborative digital information resources like the Informiepunt Wzd website. The organization focuses on policy advocacy, providing information and advice, facilitating family and client participation in healthcare, and organizing community events.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Membership of KansPlus Annual membership (individual and family association tiers) for people with intellectual disabilities and their families, providing access to advice, knowledge resources, community events, training, and representation in national policy.
• Belangenbehartiging (Advocacy services) Portfolio of advocacy offerings for people with intellectual disabilities and their families, including individual advocacy, support for family associations, client council support at care institutions, independent client support, and a local collective advocacy programme with four regional pilots.
• VraagRaak (Medezeggenschap support service) Dedicated service offering ondersteuning en advies, trainingen en cursussen, and guidance to client councils (cliëntenraden) and family associations (familieverenigingen) at Dutch care institutions, focused on WMCZ 2018 client participation.
• Kennis- en Adviescentrum (Knowledge and Advice Centre) Direct support service where individual families and members receive personalized guidance on navigating Dutch care legislation (Wlz, Wmo, Jeugdwet, Wzd) and accessing appropriate support.
• PlusPunt (member magazine) Periodical print/digital magazine providing members with news, policy updates and feature articles related to intellectual disability care and advocacy in the Netherlands.
• Podcast MensenMensen Audio podcast series featuring stories and conversations about the lives of people with intellectual disabilities and their families.
• Kennisbank (Knowledge Bank) Digital knowledge base providing practical information, legal explanations and experiential stories about care, rights and support for people with intellectual disabilities and their families.
• Tool 'Wat als ik het niet meer kan?' Interactive planning tool helping family members navigate future-care planning by linking them to relevant information, organizations and resources.
• Webshop and digital downloads E-commerce storefront offering publications, brochures and downloadable materials related to Dutch care legislation and disability advocacy.
• SamenSterkdag (annual congress) Annual conference bringing together people with intellectual disabilities, family members, care professionals and advocacy organizations for discussions, sessions and community building.
• Informatiepunt Wzd website Collaborative website providing understandable information about the Dutch Wet zorg en dwang (Care and Coercion Act) and patient rights, operated by KansPlus with five partner client organizations.

Quantifiable outcome

• 143 responses collected through a questionnaire on care availability and placement challenges, generating a policy note on care reduction and downscaling (verschromeling en afschaling)
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

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

• Ieder(in)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerKansPlus is a member organization of Ieder(in), the national network of disability organizations in the Netherlands. They frequently collaborate on policy positions, joint surveys, advocacy campaigns, and shared knowledge resources. They have submitted joint letters to the Tweede Kamer and Ministry of VWS on topics such as DigiD accessibility, care quality, and disability care reform.
• LSR (Landelijk Steunpunt Medezeggenschap)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerKansPlus and LSR collaborate on matters of medezeggenschap (client participation). They have jointly developed handreikingen (guidelines) for WMCZ 2018 implementation and model medezeggenschapsregelingen (participation frameworks) for care institutions. The LSR also participates in the joint 'SamenSterkdag' annual congress.
• LFB (Landelijke Federatie Belangenorganisaties)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLFB represents people with intellectual disabilities. KansPlus and LFB collaborate on joint surveys (e.g., COVID-19 impact survey with 647 respondents), the annual SamenSterkdag congress, and shared advocacy positions on disability care policy.
• ClientondersteuningPLUSminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerKansPlus and ClientondersteuningPLUS jointly organize digital information meetings about Dutch care legislation (Wlz, Wmo, Jeugdwet, PGB) for families and caregivers. These sessions are commissioned by the Ministry of VWS under the Volwaardig Leven program.
• Vereniging Gehandicaptenzorg Nederland (VGN)moderateGTM or Marketing PartnerKansPlus interacts with VGN as a counterpart in policy discussions. VGN represents care institutions. KansPlus has corresponded with VGN on matters such as exemption of family from protective custody (beschermingsbewind) and has participated in joint working groups on WMCZ 2018 implementation.
• Ministerie van VWS (Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerKansPlus receives PGO subsidy from the Ministry of VWS and is regularly consulted on policy matters affecting people with intellectual disabilities. The Ministry commissioned KansPlus to organize information sessions under the Volwaardig Leven program.
• EMB NederlandmoderateStrategic or Co-development PartnerKansPlus collaborates with EMB Nederland (organization for people with severe and profound intellectual disabilities) on advocacy initiatives including the 'Handreiking Samen Sterk' and joint policy positions on care quality and staffing shortages in disability care.
• SienmoderateStrategic or Co-development PartnerKansPlus and Sien (organization for family members of people with disabilities) have collaborated on several advocacy initiatives including joint letters to the Tweede Kamer, representation in the KCOZ (Klachtencommissie Onvrijwillige Zorg), and responses to government policy proposals.
• Dit KoningskindminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDit Koningskind is a parent organization for people with disabilities. KansPlus collaborates with Dit Koningskind on joint advocacy positions, including calls for DigiD management by legal representatives and responses to staffing shortages in disability care.
• Toiletalliantie (Toilet Alliance)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerKansPlus has been a member of the Toiletalliantie (initiated by the Maag Lever Darm Stichting and Continentie Stichting Nederland) since 2018. The alliance advocates for sufficient accessible public toilets in the Netherlands.
• Naar KeuzeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerKansPlus, EMB Nederland and Naar Keuze jointly published the 'Handreiking Samen Sterk' — a conversation tool for formal and informal care to help care institutions and family caregivers reach shared understanding on care responsibilities.
• ActiZminorGTM or Marketing PartnerActiZ is a care institution branch organization. KansPlus has corresponded with ActiZ as a counterpart in Wzd-related matters and participated in joint initiatives such as the KCOZ (Klachtencommissie Onvrijwillige Zorg) where ActiZ co-founded the complaints commission.
• LOC Waardevolle ZorgminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLOC Waardevolle Zorg (Landelijk Overleg Cliëntenraden) co-founded the KCOZ with KansPlus, ActiZ, VGN, Ieder(in), and LSR. LOC is a partner in advocacy on care quality and client rights.
• Per SaldomoderateStrategic or Co-development PartnerPer Saldo represents PGB (personal budget) holders. KansPlus collaborates with Per Saldo on joint projects including 'De stem van de cliënt' (a VWS-commissioned project on Wzd information and monitoring) and information sessions for PGB users.
• Project WAVE consortiumminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerKansPlus participates in the WAVE project (Centrum voor Consulatie en Expertise, VUmc Metamedica, Universiteit voor Humanistiek, 6 care providers, and education institutions) which explores whether 'outsiders' from outside the care sector can contribute fresh perspectives in complex care situations for people with intellectual disabilities and challenging behavior.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• EMB Nederland: Dutch organization for people with severe and profound intellectual disabilities (EMB); collaborates with KansPlus on the 'Handreiking Samen Sterk' and joint policy positions on care quality and staffing shortages. Operates as a peer with overlapping advocacy mission for a narrower sub-constituency.
• Sien: Dutch advocacy organization for family members of people with intellectual disabilities; collaborates with KansPlus on joint letters to the Tweede Kamer and representation in the KCOZ. Highly comparable member-driven advocacy model targeting the same family constituency.
• LOC Waardevolle Zorg: Dutch national consultative body for client councils (cliëntenraden); co-founded KCOZ with KansPlus. Operates in the same client-participation/medezeggenschap space as KansPlus's VraagRaak service and competes for similar training and advisory mandates.
• Ieder(in): Dutch national network of disability and chronic-illness organizations; KansPlus is a member. Ieder(in) operates as a coordinating umbrella that competes and collaborates with KansPlus on policy representation and joint submissions to the Tweede Kamer and VWS.
• LFB (Landelijke Federatie Belangenorganisaties): Dutch federation of advocacy organizations for people with intellectual disabilities; runs joint surveys and events with KansPlus. LFB and KansPlus serve overlapping constituencies (people with intellectual disabilities and their families) and compete for the same PGO pool and member attention.
• Per Saldo: Dutch association of personal budget (PGB) holders; collaborates with KansPlus on joint projects including the VWS-commissioned 'De stem van de cliënt'. It is a comparable membership-driven advocacy organization competing for similar PGO funding and member engagement.
• LSR (Landelijk Steunpunt Medezeggenschap): Dutch national support point for client participation (medezeggenschap) in care institutions; collaborates closely with KansPlus on WMCZ 2018 implementation and the joint SamenSterkdag congress. They overlap directly on medezeggenschap training, VraagRaak-style advisory services, and policy influencing for client councils.

Broad incumbents

• Mencap: UK's largest learning disability charity; provides advocacy, advice, and family support for people with intellectual disabilities. Although UK-based, it is the closest international model of a national membership-driven intellectual-disability advocacy organization and a useful scale/methodology benchmark.

Regional players

• Alzheimer Nederland: Leading Dutch patient advocacy organization for dementia; co-launched the informatiepuntwzd.nl platform with KansPlus. Comparable large-scale membership-driven health advocacy model in a different disease area, illustrating both an adjacent peer pattern and a potential overlap point given dementia-with-intellectual-disability content in KansPlus's knowledge bank.

Emerging players

• Dit Koningskind: Dutch parent-led advocacy organization for people with intellectual disabilities; collaborates with KansPlus on DigiD and staffing shortage advocacy. Smaller, more parent-activist in orientation, but directly comparable on mission, constituency, and funding-pool competition.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/kansplus
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/kansplus

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 KansPlus