What Stichting Spaarkracht does

Stichting Spaarkracht is a Dutch nonprofit foundation (stichting) headquartered at Utrechtseweg 1E in Amersfoort, founded in 2018 by Gabrielle Athmer and Julie-Marthe Lehmann under the original name Cash2Grow, and rebranded to its current name in 2024. The organization operates a group savings methodology in which participants save individually within a shared group pot over an approximately 9-month cycle, motivated by peer accountability and social connection. The core product is the "spaarkring" (savings circle), delivered through a network of 100+ partner organizations that host circles, and a specialized "spaarlab" variant for youth aged 16-26 consisting of 10+ workshops. The organization also offers dedicated variants for workplaces, educational institutions, and neighborhoods, plus a facilitator training and certification program (two-day training followed by coaching and annual certificate renewal). Technology consists of the proprietary "Spaarkracht Method" — facilitator guides, participant workbooks, and a certification curriculum grounded in co-founder Julie-Marthe Lehmann's PhD research at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam and validated by national knowledge institute Movisie.

Spaarkracht serves primarily people in financially vulnerable situations, youth (16-26), newcomers and refugees, and corporate employees seeking financial wellness. The methodology addresses difficulty saving alone, lack of financial buffers, limited financial literacy, and social isolation. Impact metrics reported on the organization's website include 1,200 active savings circles across 140 locations, an average of €292 saved per participant, and an 85% participant goal-achievement rate. The organization operates with a lean core team — one full-time director (Fransien Wolters) plus regional coordinators in Amsterdam, The Hague, Drenthe, Groningen, and Utrecht — and is governed by a five-member supervisory board chaired by Hans Zuidema.

Revenue is generated through a diversified nonprofit model: municipal subsidies and government grants, charitable donations (supported by ANBI / Public Benefit Organization status), and fee-based support services to partner organizations seeking to establish savings circles. Participants join savings circles free of charge. Spaarkracht does not publicly disclose revenue, headcount, or grant contract values. Distribution is exclusively indirect — the organization does not sell directly to end consumers but trains and certifies volunteer facilitators within partner welfare organizations, neighborhood centers, municipalities, educational institutions, and refugee organizations including COA. The methodology has been recognized through multiple awards including the 2024 Brouwer Vertrouwensprijs (KHMW) and a 2026 Appeltje van Oranje nomination, and the organization is a member of the Erasmus+-funded LETS SAVEE Consortium alongside European partners.

Name

Stichting Spaarkracht

Legal name

Stichting Spaarkracht

Website

https://spaarkracht.nl

Company type

Private

Founded year

2018

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Stichting Spaarkracht is a Dutch nonprofit foundation that operates a structured group savings methodology (spaarkringen) delivered through 100+ partner organizations across 140 locations, serving financially vulnerable adults, youth aged 16-26, newcomers, and employees in the Netherlands.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Amersfoort

HQ country

Netherlands

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Grants and Subsidies: Primary funding from municipal subsidies, government grants, and foundation funding to support operations and partner organization training.
2. Donations: Charitable donations from individuals and organizations, with ANBI (Public Benefit Organization) status in the Netherlands.
3. Partner Organization Support: Fee-based support services to partner organizations seeking to establish savings circles, reducing dependence on grants and municipalities.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Stichting Spaarkracht runs a structured, evidence-based group savings program called the Spaarkring (savings circle) in which members save together over approximately nine months while pursuing individual savings goals, supported by mutual accountability and social connection. It also delivers a youth-focused variant called the Spaarlab (ages 16-26) and trains and certifies volunteer facilitators who establish circles in partnership with welfare organizations, schools, municipalities, and refugee organizations across the Netherlands.

Product overview

Stichting Spaarkracht operates a unified methodology centered on group savings circles called 'spaarkringen', with a specialized variant for youth called 'spaarlab'. The core offering is a proven 9-month group savings program where members save in group settings while maintaining individual savings goals. The organization provides a complete ecosystem including a two-day facilitator training program, ongoing coaching, certification, and inspiration meetings. Additionally, they offer specialized versions for workplaces, educational settings, and neighborhoods. The methodology is supported by educational tools including a memory game. All offerings are delivered through partner organizations and trained volunteer facilitators across the Netherlands.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Spaarkring (Savings Circle) A group savings program where members save together while maintaining individual savings goals over approximately nine months; members meet regularly, contribute amounts of their choice, motivate each other, and share experiences and tips, then receive their saved amount back individually.
• Spaarlab (Youth Savings Lab) A savings circle specifically designed for young people aged 16-26, consisting of at least 10 workshops where youth discover their personal relationship with money while saving for individual goals, including practical experiments and conversations about finances.
• Facilitator Training Program A two-day training program that prepares volunteers and professionals to start and facilitate their own savings circles, including subsequent coaching and support during the first facilitated circle, plus inspiration meetings for ongoing professional development.
• Facilitator Certification Program Upon completing the full training program and entering a long-term collaboration agreement, facilitators receive an official certificate to independently set up and guide savings circles, with certificates renewed annually.
• Spaarkracht Memory Game (Spaar de paren!) An interactive webapp memory game called 'Spaar de paren!' (Save the Pairs) designed to introduce people to the concept of savings circles in an engaging way, featuring 10 pairs to match.
• Workplace Savings Circles Savings circles implemented in workplace settings as an employee wellness initiative, focusing on financial well-being beyond salary and helping teams bond while improving financial awareness.
• Educational Savings Circles Savings circles implemented in educational settings for students, helping young people gain control over their finances and future through hands-on savings experience.
• Neighborhood Savings Circles Savings circles that bring together neighborhood residents, young and old, in a safe environment to save together and exchange tips and experiences, building social connections in local communities.

Quantifiable outcome

• 85% of participants achieve their savings goal
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

22 partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• MovisieminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 11 May 2021National knowledge institute commissioned to research Spaarkracht methodology. Concluded the approach meets all conditions for effective behavioral interventions.
• LETS SAVEE Consortium (Erasmus+)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 4 February 2020European project (LEarning, Teaming up and Saving – SAVing groups for Employabiliy and Empowerment) with organizations from Poland, Germany, Spain, and Italy. Focused on strengthening savings circles as platform for financial education and entrepreneurship training.
• Gouden MannencoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration with Gouden Mannen in Amsterdam to host savings circles for their community members. Gouden Mannen is a foundation supporting men in vulnerable situations.
• Delen geeft meercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner foundation working towards a solidaric society where everyone can participate. Collaborated on action research regarding collective practices for reducing financial insecurity.
• Number 5 FoundationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in action research project on collective practices, providing research methodology and facilitation support.
• LaNSCOminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in collective practices research initiative alongside other social organizations.
• Movement on the GroundminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in collective practices research initiative focused on refugee support.
• Landelijk Platform ZelfbeheerminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in collective practices research initiative.
• Grote Broer, Grote ZusminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in collective practices research initiative focused on mentorship.
• Slum Dwellers InternationalminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational exchange and learning network for savings group methodologies, sharing experiences with savings circles from various countries.
• Sociaal Planbureau GroningenminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerResearch partner for youth financial literacy survey, conducted research with approximately 800 secondary school students.
• Trendbureau DrentheminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerResearch partner for youth financial literacy survey in Drenthe.
• Kenniscentrum Ongelijkheid AmsterdamminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerResearch partner for study on collective practices within their 'Aan (on)zeker bestaan' program.
• Boost AmsterdamcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorMeeting center for newcomers that hosts savings circles and spaarlabs for the community.
• Wijkbedrijf SelwerdcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorNeighborhood organization hosting the 'Spaarrozen' savings circle with women from multiple cultures.
• WerkProcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorWelfare organization in Hoogveen where savings circles support participants' independence and social connection.
• Multicultureel Vrouwencentrum JasmijncoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorMulticultural women's center hosting multiple savings circles and supporting volunteer facilitators.
• Vaart WelzijncoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorWelfare organization in Assen that helped establish savings circles for women building confidence and financial stability.
• KLEURkerkcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCommunity organization in The Hague hosting savings circles.
• Stichting AanzetcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorOrganization in Schiedam that has established multiple savings circles including for children and youth.
• PEERS GroningencoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorYouth organization in Groningen that organized interactive sessions promoting the spaarlab.
• link050 VrijwilligerscentraleminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorVolunteer center in Groningen that interviewed participants and promoted the spaarlab initiative.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Lift je Leven: Dutch organization supporting personal financial empowerment, where Spaarkracht founder Gabrielle Athmer previously worked. Directly comparable mission and Dutch regional focus on financial self-sufficiency for vulnerable populations.
• Delen geeft meer: Dutch foundation working toward a solidaric society and an existing Spaarkracht partner. Operates adjacent community-based poverty reduction programs with similar Dutch focus and methodology-driven approach.
• LETS Nederland: Dutch network of Local Exchange Trading Systems that organize community-based mutual aid and alternative economy groups. Closest concept-level peer to Spaarkracht's savings circle methodology, sharing the community-led structure and Dutch focus.

Broad incumbents

• Humanitas: Major Dutch social services organization providing community support across multiple vulnerable populations. Operates at significantly larger scale and is a natural partner/competitor for delivering financial wellness programs in the same municipalities.
• Nibud (Nationaal Instituut voor Budgetvoorlichting): Netherlands' national institute for household budgeting and financial education. Comparable in mission (financial literacy/education for Dutch households) but operates as a broader, established institution with policy and research remit.
• Slum Dwellers International: International network of community-led savings groups and federations. Spaarkracht has an active exchange relationship with SDI; comparable in applying the community savings circle methodology to vulnerable populations, though at global scale.
• Kiva: Global nonprofit enabling crowdfunded microloans, including to community savings groups. Operates in the same thematic space of grassroots financial inclusion but via a digital lending platform rather than group-based savings.
• CARE International: Major international humanitarian organization running Village Savings and Loans Associations (VSLAs) globally. Same savings group methodology category as Spaarkracht, though operating at significantly larger scale in developing-country contexts.

Others

• Movisie: Dutch national knowledge institute for social issues that has validated Spaarkracht's methodology. Comparable in the social sector ecosystem and a key research partner, though not a direct service provider.
• Oranje Fonds: Largest social fund in the Netherlands, which administers the Appeltje van Oranje prize for which Spaarkracht is a 2026 nominee. Functions as a funder/peer in the Dutch social impact ecosystem rather than a direct service provider.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/spaarkracht
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/spaarkracht
• Instagraminstagram.com/spaarkracht

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Stichting Spaarkracht