History of the Fund
The Van Beek Family Fund was established in Rotterdam on 31 December 1915 by Antonius Lambertus van Beek and his wife Catharina Maria Uylenberg. At that time, it was known as the Familiefonds der Familie van Beek.
Originally, the Fund’s resources were used to support descendants of the family and members of staff. For example, financial assistance was provided to domestic employees and to the widows and widowers of workers employed in the family’s tobacco business. At the time, the Dutch state pension system did not yet exist. Over the years, a number of family members facing financial hardship also received support from the Fund.
In 1987, the Fund'’s articles of association were amended for the first time to allow grants to be awarded for the benefit of individuals and organisations serving the public interest. Since then, the Foundation has increasingly focused on making broader social contributions, supporting initiatives that promote the public good, prevent poverty, and advance culture, education, and healthcare.
In 2025, the Van Beek Family Fund Foundation was granted ANBI status (Public Benefit Organisation status in the Netherlands) and now focuses exclusively on activities that serve the public interest.