From January 2026, creators can submit their application to the VandenEnde Foundation directly via FindNFund. With this, the foundation takes an important step to better fulfill its mission - making art and culture accessible to everyone. Not only will the application process be faster, it will also be fairer and more accessible. Every creator now gets the same chance to submit their project, regardless of discipline, network, or experience.
In a conversation with director Ronald Ockhuysen, we delved deeper into the reasons behind this choice and what it could mean for the cultural sector.
The choice for FindNFund
The switch to FindNFund was a well-considered decision. "We thought about it for a long time," says director Ronald Ockhuysen. "Personal contact with artists and art institutions is important to us and we wanted to be sure we wouldn't lose that. But the number of applications has increased so much in recent years that it was no longer feasible to respond to everyone quickly and carefully. FindNFund gives us the opportunity to provide immediate clarity, without compromising the quality of our assessment."
By choosing a digital platform, VandenEnde Foundation can stay true to its values and reach a broader audience. The collaboration fits the foundation's goal of creating an inclusive sector where everyone gets the chance to realize their idea.
“Personal contact is important to us and we wanted to be sure we wouldn't lose that. FindNFund gives us the opportunity to provide immediate clarity, without compromising the quality of our assessment.”
Direct clarity for applicants
With the new way of applying, artists and cultural institutions immediately know whether their application has a chance. This prevents disappointment afterwards and saves both applicants and the fund a lot of time. "It's fairer and more transparent. People can submit an application whenever they want, in the middle of the night, in their attic room or even on vacation, and get an immediate answer," says Ockhuysen. This lowers the threshold for young talent and small cultural initiatives, who might otherwise remain out of sight.
Additionally, FindNFund offers applicants an extra service: if their project doesn't fit within VDEF's framework, there are other funds on the platform where the application has a better chance. This way, no one is excluded and there remains perspective, even after a rejection.
More room for depth and development
The digital platform removes many administrative burdens, giving the foundation more time for what really matters: guiding creators and offering help, thinking along with projects, and entering into new collaborations. "We can better guide talented creators and give more personal attention," Ockhuysen explains. "Additionally, we get room to proactively seek initiatives again and build sustainable collaborations. It also gives us as a fund the opportunity to further develop ourselves, so we can better deploy the foundation for the sector."
“Together we took the time to fully customize the system. It doesn't feel like we're giving something away, it remains completely ours, just faster and more accessible.”
A partnership that moves along
The collaboration with FindNFund is experienced very positively by VDEF. "Together we took the time to fully customize the system. It doesn't feel like we're giving something away, it remains completely ours, just faster and more accessible," says Ockhuysen.
According to him, it's also nice that the FindNFund team moves along so well. "If something needs to be adjusted in the future, we look together at how to best do that. That gives confidence."
An example for the sector
Ockhuysen hopes this collaboration can be an example for other funds in the Netherlands. "It can feel exciting to digitize part of your application process, but you don't lose your identity. On the contrary: you strengthen your service, give more people the chance to get in touch with you, and contribute to a sector that is more open and inclusive."
With the step to FindNFund, the VandenEnde Foundation shows that digitization doesn't mean losing your human touch. On the contrary: by making the process fairer and more transparent, more creators get the chance to realize their ideas. This way, the foundation stays true to its mission: making art and culture accessible to everyone, including the creators who shape the future of the sector.
For more information about the VandenEnde Foundation, view the profile here.
