On visibility, simplicity, and collaboration in the funding landscape

The funding landscape is under pressure. Not due to a lack of initiatives or commitment, but because of complexity and fragmentation. We spoke with Kyra van West (donations manager) and Jorien Basart (programme manager) at VSBfonds about how they view the challenges and developments in the sector, and why VSBfonds is choosing greater openness and collaboration. Naturally, we also asked them what role they see for FindNFund in this.

The challenge: fragmentation and changing expectations

Anyone who has ever submitted an application to a fund knows how complex it can be. "Every fund has its own application procedure, rules and forms," says Jorien. "Especially for small organisations or volunteers, it's often nearly impossible to get an overview. They often don't know where to start, or which funds even exist."

Jorien speaks from experience. Before joining VSBfonds, she supported organisations with fundraising, among other things. "You see how fragmented the landscape is. People with wonderful initiatives drop out because they get lost in the system. And that's a real shame. Initiatives don't fail because there isn't enough money, but because the path to get there is too complicated."

There is also a growing need for digital accessibility. Especially in the cultural sector, Kyra explains. "There you see a new generation of creators and initiators: younger, digitally skilled and used to searching online. They no longer pick up a funding directory. They expect funds to be digitally visible and accessible."

A more accessible funding landscape requires collaboration and a different way of thinking

The solution lies in multiple aspects. It starts with looking at the process differently: not from systems or internal logic, but from the applicant's perspective. Especially in the social domain, applicants are often people running small initiatives "on the side". What they mainly want is to quickly understand: where can I go and where can't I?

This is a shared challenge for the sector. What helps most is that applicants can more quickly see where they can and cannot turn, and that funds communicate clearly about how they work and what they are looking for. "We regularly receive enquiries from applicants we can't help," says Jorien. "Then you'd like to refer them elsewhere, but you don't know exactly what each fund's criteria are."

Collaboration is not just about "doing more together", but also about doing things together differently. In practice, we see that funds often do strengthen each other, but this mainly happens around thematic topics or joint funds using forms of collaboration that we already know. Taking the step towards new ways of working still feels daunting for many funds.

FindNFund as a tool: overview, direction, and an extra front door

For VSBfonds, FindNFund in this development is primarily a tool: an extra step towards more overview and transparency, while retaining their own policies and processes. On FindNFund, funds and applicants manage their own profiles, making it quicker to see who is active as a Finder or Funder, on which themes and with which objectives. This helps applicants orient themselves more easily and helps funds become more discoverable based on up-to-date information.

"Many funds want to maintain control over what is communicated about them," Kyra adds. "We understand that well. That's exactly why managing your own profile on FindNFund is so important. You decide what's visible, which criteria apply and who you want to reach. That's autonomy, within an open network."

Since the summer of 2025, VSBfonds has been receiving applications via FindNFund Smart Application. The goal: reaching new applicants who might otherwise not have found the fund easily. "And it's working," says Jorien. "We're seeing registrations from organisations we didn't know before. Sometimes also from parties who already knew us but are simultaneously submitting applications to multiple funds via FindNFund. That's a win: applicants no longer have to do the same work over and over, and funds gain insight into what's happening more broadly in the field."

"We retain our own application process. FindNFund is an extra front door for us. Everything that comes in, we handle ourselves," explains Jorien. Kyra adds: "For funds, it's a win-win. Funds retain autonomy and control, while simultaneously seeing where other funds are supporting the same initiative. This promotes transparency and collaboration without funds losing their own positioning."

Building together: step by step towards a more open and connected ecosystem

According to Kyra and Jorien, a connected ecosystem doesn't emerge on its own. "It requires transparency, collaboration and ongoing communication," says Kyra. "The goal is to minimise the administrative burden for volunteers and initiators, so they can focus on their social mission."

Not every fund needs to take the same steps immediately. "A first, simple step is already very valuable," Jorien emphasises. "By clearly communicating which criteria you apply as a fund, you help applicants make better choices. That makes the sector more accessible and more equitable."

FindNFund offers the sector practical means to take those steps: an extra front door and a place that makes overview and referral easier. But the real movement lies within the sector itself: in collaboration, transparency, and the willingness to do things differently. So that we create space for social impact. Or as Kyra puts it so well:

"We don't do it for ourselves — it's about unlocking knowledge, funding and networks for the people who are committed to making a difference in society. That's what we do it for."