The King Baudouin Foundation (KBF) ( nl, Koning Boudewijnstichting, KBS; french: Fondation Roi-Baudouin) is an independent, pluralistic foundation based in Brussels (Belgium). It seeks to change society for the better and invests in inspiring projects and individuals.
The Foundation was set up in 1976, on the occasion of the 25th anniversary of
King Baudouin
Baudouin (;, ; nl, Boudewijn Albert Karel Leopold Axel Maria Gustaaf, ; german: Balduin Albrecht Karl Leopold Axel Maria Gustav. 7 September 1930 – 31 July 1993), Dutch name Boudewijn, was King of the Belgians from 17 July 1951 until his dea ...
's reign and has been under the honorary Presidency of
Queen Mathilde since 2015.
The Foundation supports projects in Belgium and at the European and international level. To support its international goal, the KBF set up a US
public charity
A charitable organization or charity is an organization whose primary objectives are philanthropy and social well-being (e.g. educational, religious or other activities serving the public interest or common good).
The legal definition of a ch ...
and an office in
New York City
New York, often called New York City or NYC, is the List of United States cities by population, most populous city in the United States. With a 2020 population of 8,804,190 distributed over , New York City is also the L ...
. Since 1999, the KBFUS facilitates philanthropy in the US, Europe and Africa. In 2017, KBFCanada was launched.
Organisational structure
The King Baudouin Foundation Advisory Council and the Board of Governors determine the key areas of work.
The board of governors is chaired by
Thomas Leysen
Thomas Leysen (born 1960) is a Belgian entrepreneur who graduated from the Katholieke Universiteit Leuven with a degree in law.
Career
Leysen spent a large part of his career at Umicore (formerly Union Minière), which was transformed under hi ...
.
The managing director is Luc Tayart de Borms, who is being succeeded by Brieuc Van Damme.
Domains of action
The King Baudouin Foundation supports projects in various fields of action:
* Social justice and poverty
* Health
* Heritage and culture
* Social engagement
* Africa, Latin America, Asia
* Education and development of talents
* Europe
* Climate, the environment and biodiversity
In 2021, the King Baudouin Foundation and the Funds it administers provided 132.541.857 euro in support to 1.448 individuals and 3.508 organizations. KBF also organises debates on important social issues, shares research results through free publications, enters into partnerships, and encourages
philanthropy
Philanthropy is a form of altruism that consists of "private initiatives, for the Public good (economics), public good, focusing on quality of life". Philanthropy contrasts with business initiatives, which are private initiatives for private goo ...
, in Belgium, in Europe and at the international level.
See also
*
Prince Albert Fund
The Prince Albert Fund is a Belgian non-profit organization (fund) which provides a scholarship to young Belgian professionals to give them the opportunity to carry out a project for a Belgian company in international business development, outsi ...
References
External links
*
King Baudouin Foundation United States (KBFUS)
Foundations based in Belgium
Organizations established in 1976
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