Spieren voor Spieren

What Spieren voor Spieren does

Stichting Spieren voor Spieren is a Dutch charitable foundation founded in 1988 from the elite sports community, headquartered at Domus Medica in Utrecht. Its mission is to support the estimated 20,000 children in the Netherlands living with one of more than 600 muscle diseases through research funding, faster diagnosis, sports and movement programs, and direct financial support for equipment and adaptations. Core programs include the annual 3FM Serious Request campaign in partnership with national broadcaster NPO 3FM, the Sportplein event platform (URBAN Run, STORY Walk, POWER Cycle, SOUL Yoga, IMPACT Talks), the Kind-Ambassadeurs network of ~400 child ambassadors, a financial support program for families, and the Spieren voor Spieren Kindercentrum at UMCU (with affiliated centers at LUMC and Radboudumc) that houses specialized diagnostics and the Inspanningslab exercise laboratory.

The foundation does not develop proprietary technology; it operates a standard stack consisting of the Buckaroo payment gateway, ActiveCampaign for email, and major social platforms for outreach and advertising. Revenue is entirely donation-based across five streams: individual donations, corporate partnerships, event fundraising, legacies and bequests (nalatenschappen), and the flagship 3FM Serious Request campaign, which raised a record €18,848,700 in December 2025. Go-to-market is event- and community-led, anchored by celebrity and topsport ambassadors (including ere-ambassadeur Louis van Gaal), child-ambassador storytelling, corporate partner programs, and direct-to-consumer donation flows via steun.spierenvoorspieren.nl. Operations are governed by ANBI status (RSIN 807791428) and the CBF Keurmerk, with director Monique Maks leading the organization.

Name

Spieren voor Spieren

Legal name

Stichting Spieren voor Spieren

Website

https://spierenvoorspieren.nl

Company type

Private

Founded year

1988

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Spieren voor Spieren is a Dutch charitable foundation, founded in 1988 and based in Utrecht, that supports an estimated 20,000 children with muscle diseases through research funding, the three Kinderspiercentra, sports programs, and direct financial aid, financed entirely by donations led by the annual 3FM Serious Request campaign.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Charitable Foundation for Pediatric Muscle Diseases

NAICS

Voluntary Health Organizations (813212), Grantmaking Foundations (813211), Grantmaking and Giving Services (81321), Civic and Social Organizations (8134)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Membership Organizations (8600), Services-Misc Health & Allied Services, Nec (8090)

akta.pro primary industry

Disease-Specific Research & Support (e.g., Cancer, Diabetes, ALS) (BPAGACAA)

akta.pro secondary industry

Sports Fundraising & Development Services (Foundations, NIL Collectives Support) (MPAKAKAK)

Keywords

• Children's health charity
• Muscle disease foundation
• Charitable fundraising
• Pediatric medical research
• Disability sports programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Utrecht

HQ country

Netherlands

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Individual Donations: One-time and recurring donations from individual supporters, collected via the organization's website and donation platforms.
2. Corporate Partnerships: Business partnerships where companies sponsor the foundation or engage employees in fundraising activities, including team events and dedicated campaigns.
3. Event Fundraising: Revenue generated through participation fees for sports events (such as the Spieren voor Spieren Sportplein activities) and individual action fundraisers who collect sponsorship.
4. Legacies and Bequests: Inheritance gifts (nalatenschappen) from supporters who include the foundation in their wills.
5. 3FM Serious Request Campaign: Annual flagship fundraising campaign in partnership with NPO 3FM, featuring live broadcasts, community events, and nationwide donation appeals. 2025 campaign raised €18,848,700.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Spieren voor Spieren is a Dutch charitable foundation that raises funds to support children with muscle diseases. The foundation funds scientific research into muscle diseases, supports three specialized Kindercentra (UMCU, LUMC, Radboudumc), provides financial assistance for specialized sports equipment and medical aids, and runs awareness and adapted sports programs for affected children.

Product overview

Spieren voor Spieren is a Dutch charitable foundation dedicated to children with muscle diseases. Founded over 25 years ago from the topsport community, the organization operates as a unified platform of interconnected programs rather than a single product. The core offerings include the 3FM Serious Request annual fundraising campaign, the Spieren voor Spieren Sportplein event platform, financial support programs for families, sport and movement initiatives, and the Spieren voor Spieren Kindercentrum healthcare facility. These programs work together to provide faster diagnoses, fund research for new treatments, support adapted sports, and improve quality of life for children with muscle diseases. The organization also maintains a network of approximately 400 child ambassadors who serve as faces of the mission.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• 3FM Serious Request Campaign Annual flagship charity campaign in partnership with NPO 3FM radio, featuring a Glazen Huis (Glass House) in Den Bosch where funds are raised through live radio broadcasts, public donations, and community events for children with muscle diseases. The 2025 campaign raised €18,848,700.
• Spieren voor Spieren Sportplein Physical sports event platform held during 3FM Serious Request week at Het Noordbrabants Museum in Den Bosch, featuring URBAN Run, STORY Walk, POWER Cycling, SOUL Yoga, and IMPACT Talks with topsport athletes. Open to public participation with registration fees (€30 per person for activities).
• Financial Support Program Program providing financial assistance to families of children with muscle diseases for sports equipment, assistive devices, and adaptations that help children move more independently and participate in sports.
• Sport and Movement Program Program promoting sports and exercise for children with muscle diseases, including guidance on medically appropriate physical activity, connections to adapted sports facilities, and specialized sports equipment provision. Operates in partnership with Esther Vergeer Foundation, Gehandicaptensport Nederland, NOC*NSF, and KNVB.
• Spieren voor Spieren Kindercentrum (UMCU) Specialized children's center at UMC Utrecht focusing on diagnosis, treatment, and research for muscle diseases in children, featuring an Inspanningslab (exercise laboratory) for personalized training programs and additional consultation rooms.
• Kind-Ambassadeurs Program Advocacy program featuring approximately 400 children with muscle diseases who serve as ambassadors, sharing their personal stories to raise awareness, inspire donations, and humanize the foundation's mission.
• Research Funding Initiative Funding program supporting scientific research into faster diagnoses, new treatments, and medications for pediatric muscle diseases, in partnership with three Kinderspiercentra at UMCU, LUMC, and Radboudumc.
• Community Action Fundraising Platform Online platform (sportenvoorspieren.nl) where individual supporters can create personal fundraising pages for sporting challenges and events, enabling peer-to-peer fundraising for the foundation.

Quantifiable outcome

• €18,848,700 raised in 2025 3FM Serious Request campaign
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration3 records

Partnerships

14 partnerships are on record, tiered core, flagship, major and minor.

• UMCU KinderspiercentrumcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSpieren voor Spieren Kindercentrum at UMC Utrecht. The foundation funds this specialized center for children with muscle diseases, including the recently opened Inspanningslab (exercise laboratory) and additional consultation rooms. The center focuses on high-complexity care, scientific research, and education.
• LUMC KinderspiercentrumcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOne of the three Kindercentra (Children's Muscle Centers) in the Netherlands specialized in diagnosing and treating children with muscle diseases.
• Radboudumc KinderspiercentrumcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOne of the three Kindercentra (Children's Muscle Centers) in the Netherlands. Located at Radboudumc, providing specialized care for children with muscle diseases including the Hoofd Kinderspiercentrum.
• NPO 3FMflagshipGTM or Marketing PartnerAnnual 3FM Serious Request partnership. NPO 3FM broadcasts live from Glazen Huis in Den Bosch, dedicating 24/7 radio and online content to Spieren voor Spieren. The 2025 campaign raised €18,848,700.
• Esther Vergeer FoundationmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for the Sportpoli (Sports Clinic) helping children with disabilities including muscle diseases find appropriate sports activities and clubs in their area.
• Gehandicaptensport NederlandmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational sports organization for disabled persons, collaborating to make sports accessible for children with muscle diseases.
• NOC*NSFmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDutch Olympic Committee * National Sports Confederation, working together to promote sports participation for children with muscle diseases.
• Spierziekten NederlandmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPatient association providing up-to-date information about sports, exercise, and training for children, youth, and adults with muscle diseases. Also refers patients to important partners.
• MOS (Maatschappelijke Organisaties in de Sport)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMOS is a powerful collaboration of organizations committed to equal opportunities in sports and exercise. Spieren voor Spieren officially joined MOS to help lower barriers for children with muscle diseases to participate in sports.
• KNVBmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerRoyal Dutch Football Association. Partnership to develop Powerchair Football in the Netherlands. Now available at 5 locations: FC Den Bosch, PEC Zwolle, NEC Foundation Nijmegen, FC Eindhoven, and Heracles Foundation Almelo.
• Sportief met SpierziektemajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerOrganization organizing Multisportdagen (multi-sport days) for children with muscle diseases, helping them discover which sport suits them.
• Uniek SportenminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNetwork helping people with disabilities find suitable sports activities in their area.
• MOS (Movement Organization)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerOrganization supporting movement and sports for children, collaborating on inclusive sports initiatives.
• Stichting VaarwensminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFoundation granting wishes related to sailing and water activities. Enabled child ambassador Else and her family to follow the IJsselmeer crossing on an adapted boat.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA): Large US-based nonprofit funding research and care for muscular dystrophy and related neuromuscular diseases. Comparable in core mission (muscle disease research and support) and program portfolio (research grants, care centers, advocacy), but operates at much larger scale and different geography.

Direct peers

• Spierziekten Nederland: Dutch patient association for muscle diseases that is also a strategic partner of Spieren voor Spieren. Directly comparable in disease focus and beneficiary population, though oriented toward patient advocacy and information rather than research funding.
• Nierstichting (Dutch Kidney Foundation): Dutch disease-specific health charity with similar mission, donor base, accreditation marks (CBF/ANBI), and multi-channel fundraising mix including events and corporate partnerships.
• Esther Vergeer Foundation: Dutch foundation helping people with physical disabilities find and participate in sports. Direct partner of Spieren voor Spieren on the Sportpoli. Comparable mission scope (disability + sport) and Dutch operating geography.
• Stichting KiKa (Kinderen Kankervrij): Dutch charity focused specifically on children's health with a similar event-driven and major-campaign fundraising approach, and comparable celebrity involvement. Targets the same family-donor segment.
• Longfonds (Dutch Lung Foundation): Dutch health charity using analogous donor, corporate, and event fundraising mechanics (including large annual collection week) within the same Dutch donor pool.
• Hartstichting (Dutch Heart Foundation): Dutch health charity running comparable multi-channel donation fundraising, event campaigns, and corporate partnerships, with similar CBF accreditation. Operates with a similar scale and event-driven fundraising model.
• Prinses Beatrix Spierfonds: Dutch foundation also focused on funding research and supporting people with muscle diseases. The most directly comparable peer, operating in the same disease category and Dutch donor pool.
• KWF Kankerbestrijding (Dutch Cancer Society): Largest Dutch health-research charity, with similar donation-based revenue model, celebrity ambassadors, major media campaigns (e.g., Samenloop voor Hoop), and CBF/ANBI accreditation. Competes for the same Dutch health-charity donor pool.

Emerging players

• Jeugdfonds Sport & Cultuur: Dutch foundation enabling children from low-income families to participate in sports and culture. Comparable in mission overlap (children + sport access) and Dutch fundraising model, but addresses economic rather than medical barriers.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/spierenvoorsp
• Facebookfacebook.com/spierenvoorspieren
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/spierenvoorspieren
• Instagraminstagram.com/spierenvoorspieren

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Spieren voor Spieren