Companies donate funds, knowledge, and time to social initiatives

We organize a Mix & Match meeting twice a year, with the aim of creating valuable connections between the social organizations and businesses present. On Thursday, May 23rd, we were guests at theEnergy Factoryin Amsterdam-West. A creative and sustainable location, where XO Kitchen Amsterdam provided us with delicious Syrian snacks.

6 companies:

This afternoon, six companies were present: Michel van Ruyven, from Communication Agency Hollands Lof; Fusina Verloop, from Bureau de Wonderneming and initiator of Cookbook of the Year; Marius Pannevis, lawyer and partner at DLA Piper; Sander van Acht, from Flooow Learning; Nick Aldewereld, from Aldewereld Consultancy; and Astrid Janssen from Design with a double S.

Eight social organizations, each with a request for help:

• Caregiver Organization Markant, they are looking for support in communication and PR in their search for new volunteers.
• Baarshaven Community Centeris looking for a space where people with ABI (acquired brain injury) can perform light work. They are also looking for (legal) assistance to officially establish the foundation.
• Warm Welcome Foundationhelps status holders find their way in their new environment in an accessible way. They are seeking assistance in professionalizing their foundation, partly due to the new legislation on integration.
• Buurtbuik fights against food waste. They use (electric) cargo bikes to collect surplus food. They are seeking assistance with repairs to these bikes and sponsorship for transportation.

• Cybersoekfocuses on increasing digital skills of local residents. They would like to establish a (long-term) relationship with an ICT company for assistance at various levels.
• TheCoffeehouseOn Haarlemmerstraat, a low-threshold drop-in center, has recently become an independent foundation. They are looking for funding opportunities (such as applying to funds) and are wondering how to best approach this.
• Home-Startsupports families in raising their children. There is a great shortage of volunteers. They would like assistance in recruiting them.
• Doctors of the Worldprovides medical assistance to vulnerable people. They would like to raise money for this good cause during the Damloop by Night. They are wondering how to best approach this.

Speed dating

The setup of the afternoon: Speed ​​dating sessions to get to know each other, have good conversations, and discover if there is a match. Whether a company can help the volunteer organization further with their request for assistance.No content to translate.

Result:

The companies were mainly very inspired by the social organizations; by the good work they do, the dedication they show, and their ambitions. Social initiatives were initially a bit nervous about whether they would be a good fit. This turned out to be not a problem at all. There were as many as 12 matches.
This assistance will be provided concretely:Fusina Verloop, The Wonderment and initiator Cookbook of the Year

• From BaarshavenHelp with finding and realizing a place for the brain injury group.
• CoffeehouseVisits for in-kind donation – coffee/tea/eggs. And explores options for evening rental of the Coffee House.
• Buurtbuik: Finding a solution for repairing the electric cargo bikes and/or sponsoring transportation.

Marius Pannevis, lawyer and partner at DLA Piper;

• Buurtbuik; Finding entrance regarding repair costs for cargo bikes.
• Baarshaven: Will get them in touch with a notary to set up a foundation.

Sander van Acht, Flooow Learning

• CybersoekProvide educational packages from Edutrainers to visitors.
• Coffeehouse; It will be checked if the casting agency for homeless people can be used.
• Baarshaven: Will connect them with a lawyer to set up the foundation.

Nick Aldewereld, Aldewereld Consultancy

• Cybersoek; Connect them with Prospect, an IT company with 400 employees who are looking for a social organization to dedicate their volunteer hours to.

Astrid Janssen, With double S

• Warm welcome;Brand Identity Advice

Michel van Ruyven, Dutch Praise:

• Markant: Will provide support in communication and PR.

We thank all the present companies and social initiatives for their time and effort and hope for a successful continuation of the matches above.

Our next Mix and Match meeting is this fall

Do you want to participate? Or do you have another question? ContactRachida el Alami

Photos: Adriana Schröder