What elja foundation does

ELJA Foundation (Stichting ELJA Foundation) is a Dutch private philanthropic foundation, established October 27, 2021 by Els Blokker-Verwer and headquartered in Laren, Netherlands. It is an ANBI-registered Public Benefit Organization governed by a five-member board and operates with a core team of approximately six professionals supplemented by a six-member board. The foundation does not generate commercial revenue; it is funded by the founder's personal resources and distributes capital to cultural organizations through grant-making and direct program co-creation.

The foundation's mission is to foster social cohesion among children and youth (ages 4–18) in the Kingdom of the Netherlands and the Dutch Caribbean through music, dance, and visual arts. It operates four program lines: Founder Projects (directly initiated ambitious programs), ELJA Connects (co-created with cultural partners), ELJA Fund (€10,000–€35,000 grants to cultural organizations, three application windows per year), and ELJA Academy (research, capacity building, and the biennial Conference & Award). By mid-2025, the foundation had supported 182 cultural organizations across music, dance, museums, and performing arts. Flagship programs include Sing & Dance UP! (a national campaign reaching 7,500 children in 2026), Future Village, ELJA Art Courts (four physical locations), ELJA Kindermuseumlab, the Young at Art Radio podcast, and the ELJA Foundation Award (€100,000 total prize money biennially).

The foundation's go-to-market combines venture philanthropy (financial support plus expertise and network access) with a community-led model. Outreach is conducted through the foundation's website, social media, partner referrals, the Young at Art Radio podcast, quarterly partner MeetUps, and public ELJA Fund application calls. Founder Projects and ELJA Connects are developed through proactive, direct engagement with selected cultural partners rather than open applications. The foundation uses no proprietary technology and does not sell products or services; its 'technology stack' consists of standard web, podcast, and social channels, with content commissions to research partners such as Movisie, Impact House | Grant Thornton, and Erasmus University Rotterdam for impact measurement and thought leadership.

Name

elja foundation

Legal name

Stichting ELJA Foundation

Website

https://eljafoundation.nl

Company type

Private

Founded year

2021

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

ELJA Foundation is a Dutch ANBI-registered philanthropic foundation that funds, co-creates, and researches music, dance, and visual arts programs for children and youth (ages 4-18) in the Kingdom of the Netherlands and the Dutch Caribbean.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Cultural Philanthropy

NAICS

Grantmaking and Giving Services (81321), Religious, Grantmaking, Civic, Professional, and Similar Organizations (813), Educational Support Services (611710)

akta.pro primary industry

Arts, Culture & Humanities Grantmaking Foundations (BPAGAKAJ)

akta.pro secondary industries

Education Grantmaking Foundations (BPAGAKAK), International Development & Donor-Funded Education Programs (EDADALAB)

Keywords

• Cultural philanthropy
• Arts education grants
• Youth arts programs
• Venture philanthropy fund
• Creative arts funding

Headquarters

HQ city

Laren

HQ country

Netherlands

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Philanthropic grant-making: ELJA Foundation operates as a philanthropic fund financed by founder Els Blokker-Verwer. The Foundation does not generate commercial revenue. Its primary activity is distributing financial contributions to cultural organizations through the ELJA Fund (ranging from €10,000 to €35,000 per project) and directly financing Founder Projects and ELJA Connects programs. The Foundation also generates impact through non-financial contributions including expertise, network access, and substantive involvement with partner organizations.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

ELJA Foundation is a philanthropic fund that initiates, co-creates, and finances cultural programs in music, dance, and visual arts for children and young people aged 4 to 18 across the Kingdom of the Netherlands and Dutch Caribbean. It deploys four program lines—Founder Projects, ELJA Connects, ELJA Fund (€10,000–€35,000 grants), and ELJA Academy (research and capacity building)—and operates flagship initiatives such as Sing & Dance UP!, Future Village, ELJA Art Courts, and ELJA Kindermuseumlab.

Product overview

ELJA Foundation is a philanthropic fund that develops, co-creates, and finances cultural programs in music, dance, and visual arts for children and youth (ages 4-18) across the Kingdom of the Netherlands and Dutch Caribbean. The foundation operates four program lines: (1) Founder Projects for ambitious life-changing initiatives, (2) ELJA Connects for innovative co-created projects with cultural partners, (3) ELJA Fund providing €10,000-€35,000 financial contributions to cultural organizations, and (4) ELJA Academy for research, professional development, and the biennial Conference & Award. Key initiatives include Sing & Dance UP! (national campaign bringing thousands of children together for singing/dancing events), Future Village (youth art-building festival), ELJA Art Courts (creative meeting places), Young at Art Radio (podcast series), ELJA Young (youth council), ELJA Kindermuseumlab (children's museum programs), and Impact Academy (capacity building). The foundation has supported over 150 cultural organizations.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• ELJA Fund Application program providing financial contributions (€10,000 to €35,000 per project) for cultural organizations in the Kingdom of the Netherlands to support projects in music, dance, and visual arts for children and youth (ages 4–18). Applications are assessed three times per year with deadlines in February, May, and October.
• ELJA Academy Initiates research and professional development through capacity-building programs, MeetUps, Impact Academy, and the biennial ELJA Foundation Conference & Award to strengthen partners and share knowledge within the cultural sector.
• Sing & Dance UP! National campaign in partnership with Méér Muziek in de Klas bringing thousands of primary school children together to sing and dance, culminating in a large concert event. Engaged 5,000 children in 2024, 6,000 in 2025, and 7,500 in 2026 at venues including Brabanthallen Den Bosch and Ahoy Rotterdam.
• Future Village Creative building festival co-initiated with Kultlab / Stichting Mooie Dingen, where youth aged 12–18 build large art installations with artists during school holidays, culminating in the Future Village Festival in Amersfoort.
• ELJA Art Courts Network of creative meeting places where young people feel at home and actively engage with art. Locations include De MuziekSpeelplaats creative spaces in multiple cities, with the fourth location (Zeeland) opened in September 2025 in Vlissingen for children ages 7–13 to make music freely.
• ELJA Kindermuseumlab Children's museum lab program including Amsterdam Museumkamp where children aged 9–12 create artworks with professional artists around themes of identity and self-expression, in partnership with Amsterdam Museum.
• Impact Academy Practice-oriented learning program on impact measurement for cultural organizations within the ELJA Foundation partner network, launched in 2025.
• Young at Art Radio Podcast series hosted by Astrid Rose featuring conversations with artists, scientists, and entrepreneurs about the importance of art for youth and society.
• ELJA Foundation Conference & Award Biennial conference bringing together changemakers and professionals from culture, public sector, and business to discuss creativity as a driver for change, concluded with the ELJA Foundation Award ceremony.
• ELJA Young Youth council of 14 young people aged 12–18 from across the Netherlands who advise the foundation on projects and campaigns and present the annual ELJA Young at Art Award.

Quantifiable outcome

• 70% of children felt more connected to classmates after Sing & Dance UP! program
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers27 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

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

• Uitgeverij ROSE storiesminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 October 2025Co-published the picture book 'Mir en de Muusjes (en de mooiste mislukking ooit)' during Kinderboekenweek 2025. The book was developed in co-creation with primary school students in The Hague and Amsterdam and distributed to schools, libraries, and social organizations by the ELJA Foundation.
• Waag FuturelabcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 July 2025Co-organized the Future Matters Hackathon, where MBO students worked on designing a social media platform focused on community and creativity. Waag Futurelab (founded by internet pioneer Marleen Stikker) provided expertise on technology and digital space, with Marleen Stikker featured on Young at Art Radio podcast.
• Muziekschool Zeeland / De MuziekSpeelplaatscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Partners in the ELJA Art Courts network. De MuziekSpeelplaats Zeeland in Vlissingen is the fourth ELJA Art Courts location — a creative meeting place where children aged 7-13 can make music free of charge, with professional musicians on hand.
• H'ART MuseumcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 December 2024Three-year partnership with H'ART Museum, which offers a unique art and education program for children and youth aged 7 to 16. The museum hosted ELJA MeetUp #3 'Het Lerend Netwerk' as a venue and presenting partner.
• Holland FestivalcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 December 2024Continued partnership after a successful 2024 pilot, supporting the development of HF Lab — a new education program line for and by youth at the Holland Festival. MBO students participate as production team members, and secondary school students follow workshop programs leading to festival presentations.
• BühnenbiestcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 December 2024ELJA Connects partner developing a dance and music program for primary and secondary schools in Curaçao (2025-2027) under the leadership of choreographers Kathrin Gramelsberger and musician Jörgen Gario. Bühnenbiest won the inaugural ELJA Young Award 2025 (€10,000).
• Hiphophuis RotterdamcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 September 2024Main partner of the 'Youth is the Truth' ELJA Connects project (2024 onwards), supporting hip-hop culture and creativity for 50,000+ youth annually. The Hiphophuis was a nominee for the inaugural ELJA Foundation Award 2023.
• Méér Muziek in de KlasflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Joint organizer of the Sing & Dance UP! national campaign — the largest singing and dancing event for children in the Netherlands. ELJA Foundation provides the primary funding while Méér Muziek in de Klas provides educational expertise and implementation. In 2026, ICP was also credited as a partner for the third edition.
• Groninger MuseumcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024ELJA Foundation supported the Groninger Museum's Kinderbiënnale (Children's Biennale) on the theme 'A Better Place.' The museum was nominated for the Children in Museums Award 2024. Ellis Hendriksen from the museum presented at ELJA MeetUp #3.
• Impact House | Grant ThorntonminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 1 January 2024ELJA Foundation commissioned Impact House | Grant Thornton to conduct impact studies on programs including Sing & Dance UP! (2024). Research found that 70% of children felt more connected after the program, 45% gained more enjoyment in singing and dancing, and 85% felt proud after the concert.
• Prof. Dr. Koen van Eijck (Erasmus University Rotterdam)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Commissioned by ELJA Foundation to author a scientific publication on themes central to the Foundation's mission — 'Children and Art / Kinderen en Kunst'. The research was published in both Dutch and English.
• Koninklijk Concertgebouworkest (Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra)flagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 November 2023Collaboration on the 'Music Game' — an interactive game developed with Accenture Song to engage children with classical music. Additionally, a major 'Going Home – Mission Symphonic 3.0' project received €20,000 ELJA Fund support in 2025. ELJA Young council advised on the Music Game development.
• Accenture SongflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 November 2023Technology and creative partner collaborating with the ELJA Foundation and Koninklijk Concertgebouworkest on the 'Music Game' interactive music education project.
• Amsterdam MuseumcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023Partnership on the ELJA Kindermuseumlab and Amsterdam Museumkamp program. The museum kamp engaged 73+ children from Amsterdam's districts in 2024, creating artworks around the theme 'Identiteit: Vieren van Zelfexpressie' (Identity: Celebrating Self-Expression). The museum also installed a children's board and consultative group for 2023-2025.
• MovisieminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 1 January 2023ELJA Foundation commissioned Movisie to research how art projects contribute to social connection among younger generations. Results were published as an interactive infographic.
• Kultlab / Stichting Mooie DingencoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023Co-initiators of Future Village — a creative building site in the forest of Amersfoort where teenagers aged 12-18 build their own community and festival world. The project involves construction during school holidays with artists, culminating in the Future Village Festival.
• De Vliegende BrigadiersminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 1 January 2023A team of professional music and dance teachers who provide classroom instruction for the Sing & Dance UP! program across the Netherlands, preparing thousands of children for the annual finale events.
• SALLY Dansgezelschap MaastrichtcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2022Partnership on SALLY After School (SAS) — after-school creative programs for children aged 8-12 and other pilots. Sarah Giampolo from SALLY presented at ELJA MeetUp #3.
• ISH Dance CollectiveflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2021Multi-year collaboration with ISH Dance Collective, a renowned dance company celebrating 25 years of bringing hip-hop dance and urban sports to the theater. The partnership includes the ISH Academy, with young dance talents showcased at ELJA MeetUp #4. Marco Gerris, founder and artistic director, was featured on the Young at Art Radio podcast.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves7 records

Direct peers

• Prins Bernhard Cultuurfonds: Largest Dutch cultural grantmaking foundation funding music, dance, visual arts, and heritage; directly comparable to ELJA as a private foundation distributing cultural grants across the Netherlands, with a much longer operating history and broader remit.
• VSBfonds: Dutch foundation funding participation, culture, and education for broad Dutch participation; highly comparable to ELJA's venture philanthropy approach combining grants with network and capacity building for cultural organizations.
• Fonds 21: Private Dutch foundation supporting arts and education projects across the Netherlands; comparable to ELJA in funding scope (culture + education) and grantmaking window model, though with a broader age and theme remit.
• Turing Foundation: Dutch private foundation funding education and art projects; directly comparable to ELJA in grant size scale and project-based funding model, with an ELJA staff member (Florentine van Waesberghe) previously employed there.
• Ammodo Foundation: Major Dutch private foundation funding arts, sciences, and education; comparable to ELJA in deploying significant private capital into cultural programming with multi-year partnerships and prize/award mechanisms.
• Stichting DOEN: Dutch impact philanthropy foundation funding culture, sustainable food, and inclusive economy; comparable to ELJA in venture philanthropy posture, focus on innovation, and willingness to co-create programs with grantees.

Broad incumbents

• Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation: One of Europe's largest cultural philanthropy foundations, headquartered in Lisbon; comparable to ELJA as a major private foundation funding arts and education, though operating at significantly larger scale and with a global footprint.

Regional players

• Wallace Foundation: Major US private foundation focused on arts education and youth development; comparable to ELJA in mission (children + arts) and grantmaking-plus-research model, though operating primarily in the United States.
• Kulturstiftung der Länder: German cultural foundation funding arts preservation and contemporary cultural projects; comparable to ELJA as a private cultural grantmaking foundation, though with a German geographic focus and heritage-preservation emphasis.

Emerging players

• mecenas: Dutch platform matching cultural organizations with private sponsors and donors; partially comparable to ELJA in facilitating cultural philanthropy in the Netherlands, though focused on corporate sponsorship matchmaking rather than direct grantmaking.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/ELJAFoundation
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCDxsWgkCsoRpcS7OLPvlWSQ
• Facebookfacebook.com/eljafoundation
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/eljafoundation
• Instagraminstagram.com/eljafoundation

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles12 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about elja foundation