A look back at 2024
Last year, Rabo Foundation marked its 50th anniversary. We celebrated this milestone with donors, partners, clients, and colleagues from all over the world. We are proud of five decades of pioneering, learning, and constantly evolving to expand our impact. Thank you to everyone who contributed, especially the impact entrepreneurs who inspire us. Together, we are building a future in which economic progress and social impact go hand in hand.
Contributing to a better world is challenging. Geopolitical tensions, volatile markets, and climate change disproportionately affect the people we support. Yet, our mission remains clear: to strengthen their resilience and help them move forward despite adversity. Their stories are a testament to what is possible through collaboration. You will find some of these inspiring stories on this site and in our impact report.
Lidwien Schils
Director of Rabo Foundation
Our key figures in 2024
was allocated for a more sustainable and inclusive society
active projects we boosted in 22 countries
people were able to take a step towards a better future
Take a look at our impact
In 2024, Rabo Foundation provided €59.8 million in impact financing. Our global portfolio includes 400 organizations committed to improving the living conditions of people in vulnerable situations. Thanks to our funding, a wide range of projects—from sustainable agriculture to social innovation—were made possible, reaching nearly two million people in total. We invest early, where risks are high but the potential for positive change is even greater. We invest through funding, knowledge, and our network. For 50 years, we’ve believed in people, in growth from within, and in building a sustainable future.
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Our impact in the Netherlands
In the Netherlands, Rabo Foundation mainly supports social entrepreneurs who focus on people who face challenges entering the job market. In 2024, our portfolio expanded to include more entrepreneurs committed to the circular economy and a sustainable food system—while also creating opportunities for those distanced from the labor market.
For social entrepreneurs, impact is paramount. This focus often makes it more difficult for them to secure financing from traditional banks. That’s why we provide early-stage financial support to promising social enterprises, giving them the opportunity to launch successfully or scale further. In addition to funding, we offer coaching, access to our network, and share knowledge and up-to-date insights to help them thrive.
Read more in our impact reportOur key figures in the Netherlands
impact financing allocated
organizations in portfolio
people reached
The strength of social entrepreneurship in the Netherlands
Boer & Chef creates short food chain
The Rabo Foundation came into contact with Boer & Chef back in 2023. Since then, Boer & Chef has also successfully started working with people who have a labor market disadvantage. Thanks to additional financing in 2024, Boer & Chef is now able to make new investments in, for example, developing new products – such as ready-to-eat dishes – and expanding the online platform. As a result, the social enterprise can also hire and guide even more people with a labor market disadvantage.
Our impact in Africa, Asia and Latin America
Smallholder farmers worldwide face significant challenges, particularly due to rising costs and the impacts of climate change. That's why we invested in solutions to make them even more resilience. This aligns with our mission to strengthening smallholder farmers in Africa, Asia, and Latin America. Though financial support for producer organizations and financial service providers, we are opening doors to credit, knowledge, and markets – paving the way to a better future.
In 2024, our portfolio of financial service providers, such as savings and credit cooperatives and microfinance institutions (MFIs) active in rural areas, grew. These financial service providers provide loans and savings products that farmers can use to invest in f.e. seeds and agricultural equipment. As climate change continues to increase farmers’ vulnerability, we’ve stepped up our investments in climate resilience, partnering with organizations like Solidaridad and Acorn, and promoting agroforestry.
Read more in our impact reportOur key figures in Africa, Asia and Latin America
million impact financing allocated
organizations in portfolio
million people reached
Empowering smallholder farmers for a sustainable future
Zombo Coffee empowers Uganda’s coffee farmers
Thanks to a trade financing facility, Zombo Coffee have been able to source larger quantities of coffee from farmers’ cooperatives and sell them on the international market. The Rabo Foundation’s trade financing allows them to pay farmers a fair price directly when they deliver the coffee. As a result of these benefits, the number of affiliated farmers has grown from 900 to 2,500 in five years. We have also helped Zombo make progress on other fronts: with technical support for EUDR compliance, financing for the launch of organic certification, and the procurement of machines that speed up the sorting process.
Impact management lies at the heart of our way of working
Our goal is long-term change and self-reliance for the organizations we finance. This improves the livelihoods of small farmers worldwide and of people with a labor market disadvantage in the Netherlands. Effective impact measurement and monitoring enables us to better understand how our financing contributes to change.
This helps us to increase our positive impact and minimize our negative impact. Impact management lies at the heart of our way of working. Successfully navigating our impact is not an easy task and there are many different possible approaches.
Our results in 2024
Our income comes from donations and loan repayments. The money we receive from repayments is re-invested in society. This allows us to give back more to society every year and to make a long-term impact.
Every year, we receive contributions from Rabobank, Rabo employees, private individuals, and companies. In 2024, we received EUR 23.7 million. These financial contributions ensure that we can make as much impact as possible. The Rabo Foundation awarded EUR 59.8 million in 2024 in loans, guarantees, technical assistance, and donations to 219 new projects.
Read more about our results