The Bernard van Leer Foundation is a Netherlands-based grantmaking organization with a focus upon early childhood development. It was established in the year 1949 and runs on the bequest of Bernard van Leer (1883-1958), who was a Dutch industrialist and philanthropist. The Foundation provides grants to NGOs for the purpose of implementing programs that bring about a positive development of children before they attain the age of eight. The Foundation’s grant is focused upon children belonging to the socially and economically disadvantaged families.

The Foundation also believes that partner capacities are essential to ensure long-term impact of the programs. It works with partner NGOs to build their capacity, improve performance and promote innovation. The specific issues addressed by the Foundation are:

(1) “Strengthening the care environment” which include building the capacities of parents, families and communities so that they are able to provide better care for children.
(2) “Successful Transitions” that enable children to make a supportive transition from home environment to school.
(3) “Social Inclusion and respect for diversity” which promote equal opportunities and skills among children.

In most cases, the Bernard van Leer Foundation does not solicit proposals from NGOs. It has its own policy of selecting new partner NGOs through existing partners or other networks. The Foundation also has a restricted policy upon the issues it addresses based upon the country of intervention. It provides funds to organizations only in certain countries and each country has a separate issue as its priority. Some of the developing countries it is working include India, Indonesia, Kenya, Morocco, Peru, Tanzania, Turkey, Uganda and Zimbabwe. In India, the Foundation supports programs on “Transitions” only while in Zimbabwe, it gives grants only for “care.” Interested organizations still interested in applying for funding from the Foundation are encouraged to read the available information about its work and approach from its website: http://www.bernardvanleer.org.

The mailing address of the Foundation is:

Bernard van Leer Foundation
PO Box 82334
2508 EH The Hague
The Netherlands
Tel: +31 (0)70 331 22 00
Fax: +31 (0)70 350 23 73