Stichting Goeie Grutten
Stichting Goeie Grutten is a Dutch foundation, established in 2016 by the Bastmeijer family, that supports initiatives working toward a sustainable, healthy, and just society. It focuses on three domains: food, energy, and democracy & digital autonomy. Rather than operating as a commercial business, it acts as a philanthropic funder that backs enterprising foundations and projects in the Netherlands. The foundation combines financial support with knowledge, expertise, and network connections. It prefers long-term collaborations and supports initiatives that are practical, innovative, and scalable. Across its domains, Goeie Grutten looks for projects that can help shift systems rather than only solve isolated problems, with a strong emphasis on measurable impact and collaboration with other funders and ecosystem partners. Core Values Pragmatism : The foundation describes itself as entrepreneurial and solution-oriented, with a preference for initiatives that are realistic, actionable, and capable of creating tangible change. Humility : It explicitly names humility as a core value, suggesting a modest approach to philanthropy and a willingness to learn from partners and projects. Justice : Fairness is central to its mission, reflected in its support for food justice, democratic rights, and a more equitable society. Creativity and collaboration : Goeie Grutten values connecting people and initiatives, working creatively with others, and strengthening collective impact through partnerships. Enthusiasm : The foundation emphasizes energy and commitment, and it favors partners that share a similarly motivated, mission-driven mindset. Unique Aspects Family-rooted foundation with food-industry origins : The foundation was created by the Bastmeijer family, whose history includes grocery retail and wholesale in the Netherlands. That background clearly shapes its long-standing interest in food-system change. Three-domain strategy : Unlike many food-focused foundations, Goeie Grutten also funds energy transition and democracy/digital autonomy, giving it a broader systems-change lens. Selective energy focus : In energy, it explicitly avoids solar and wind and instead backs the less-financed parts of the transition, such as storage, flexibility, infrastructure relief, and early-stage innovation. Network-oriented philanthropy : The foundation does more than write grants; it actively connects grantees with other funders, experts, and partners, and it uses its network to amplify impact. Recognized governance : It received the FIN Code Goed Bestuur certification for the second term in September 2024, underscoring its emphasis on professional governance and accountability.