By Foresee Foundation
Foresee Foundation and NPOwer, along with the entire St. Maarten community, congratulates Hearts United Holistic Care Foundation for advancing to the top 10 of the projects selected for the highly coveted Appeltje van Oranje awards.
Home Away from Home and 721 Kids Foundation also made the island proud on being selected for the second round of the highly coveted Appeltje van Oranje awards. This is a testament to their dedication and impact on combating loneliness within our society.
Oranje Fonds, a social fund supporting non-profits across the Kingdom of the Netherlands, conducts an annual selection process for the Appeltjes van Oranje awards. This year’s theme centres on addressing loneliness, with numerous non-profits showcasing their initiatives aimed at alleviating this widespread issue. The rigorous selection process narrows down 250 applications from the European- and Caribbean parts of the Kingdom to 50 noteworthy initiatives, with our very own St. Maarten securing three spots in the selection process.
Home Away From Home supporting the Golden Age Foundation (HAFH), 721 Kids Foundation, and Hearts United Holistic Care Foundation have all shown exceptional promise. Their dedication and innovative approaches have resonated deeply, evidenced by HAFH’s impressive achievement of over 1,500 votes in the first round. This feat not only positioned HAFH as the top vote-getter in the Caribbean Part of the Kingdom, but also among the top five in the entire Kingdom.
On Saturday, June 8, these three organisations represented St. Maarten in Curaçao, where they pitched their projects alongside seven other contenders from the Caribbean Part of the Kingdom. The aim is to secure a place among the final 10, from which the top three will be awarded the prestigious Appeltje van Oranje, accompanied by a 25,000-euro grant.
St. Maarten takes immense pride in the hard work and dedication of these organisations. Their achievements underscore the significance of civil society’s contributions and the pivotal role non-profits play in addressing social issues. The community’s overwhelming support for these initiatives highlights the collective recognition of their impact.
Oranje Fonds, in collaboration with KANS Fonds and Stichting Kinderpostzegels, form the Samenwerkende Fondsen, a group renowned for supporting numerous social projects in the Dutch Caribbean. Their ongoing commitment – including initiatives like the annual 'DOET' projects promoting volunteerism – underscores their dedication to fostering social wellbeing.
As St. Maarten's non-profit sector continues to gain recognition, it is imperative to orchestrate more coordinated efforts to access grants, support, and recognition from global agencies. The successes of Hearts United Holistic Care Foundation, Home Away from Home, and 721 Kids Foundation serve as inspiring examples for other non-profits to pursue greater exposure and funding opportunities.
Foresee Foundation and NPOwer celebrate these organisations' accomplishments and encourage all St. Maarten non-profits to draw inspiration from their journey. Together, let us strive for greater impact and recognition on both local and global stages. Best of luck to Hearts United Holistic Care Foundation – go for it!
