Stichting DOEN, or the DOEN Foundation, was set up in 1991 by the Dutch Postcode Lottery. The DOEN Foundation's aim is to build a green, socially-inclusive, and creative society by tapping into diverse entrepreneurs and organisations committed to this mission.
DOEN supports the early efforts of entrepreneurs operating within two themes, Green and Inclusive Economy (e.g. Climate Change, Designing New Economy and Social Entrepreneurship) and Culture and Cohesion, by providing subsidies, loans, and/or equity investments. The foundation also helps connect pioneers with other parties and resources in its network. The DOEN Foundation funding comes from annual contributions received under long-term contracts from its founder, the Dutch Postcode Lottery, and the two other Dutch charity lotteries, the BankGiro lottery and the Friends Lottery.
The impact investing activities of DOEN Foundation total approximately USD 180 million and are concentrated in the areas of fair trade, renewable energy, social ventures, and micro, small, and medium enterprise financing. Portions of DOEN's impact investments are carried out through its own investment fund, DOEN Participaties BV. Investees in this fund include Tendris Holding, two green venture capital funds within Start Green, and Gray Ghost Social Ventures DOEN, a social venture fund that invests in transformative, scalable, and high impact, socially conscious business opportunities. DOEN is also an investor in ProCredit Group, a group of 21 microfinance banks; Progreso Fund, an agricultural trade finance facility; and several SME investment funds, such as Agora Ventures in Nicaragua and Business Partners International in Africa.
