Van Uden Charity
Van Uden has a long tradition of social commitment, supporting the arts and charitable causes through annual donations and sponsorships. Over the years, we have contributed to museums, philharmonic orchestras, the Rotterdamse Schouwburg, the Sophia Children’s Hospital, Diergaarde Blijdorp, and many other institutions and initiatives.
In the late 1990s, Van Uden established a foundation to promote sailing, particularly among young people. Over the past 15 years, this foundation—Stichting Benodet—has organized numerous events, including the Van Uden Reco Stellendam Regatta in Stellendam, and has formed and coached several sailing teams.
At the end of 2012, Van Uden took the first steps toward providing support to people living in poverty in distant countries, especially in Africa, where conditions are far more challenging. This led to the creation of the Van Uden Charity Foundation.
The foundation’s first project focuses on supporting impoverished communities in Namibia, known as the Bushmen, or San people. Several San communities receive free healthcare through the local N/a’an ku sê Foundation, and children are provided with education at Clever Cubs schools.
A second project supports an orphanage in Vietnam, where the Mai-Nha Foundation cares for a number of orphaned children.
News
From children to young people with dreams and ambitions
Construction officially begins on the Eco Village in Epukiro
N/a’an ku sê launches the year with strong action against littering
The children of Mai Nha are growing up
Spotlight on Timbila Glamping Site
Projects we support
Windhoek – Namibië
Neuras – Namibië
Vergenoeg and Kanaan – Namibië
Epikuro – Namibië
Solitaire – Namibië
Mai Nha – Vietnam
Our commitment over the years
Van Uden has a long-standing tradition of social engagement. What once began as local support for cultural initiatives in the region has, over the years, grown into a broad and lasting commitment to people, culture, and nature.
In our grandfather’s time, the focus was primarily on music and the performing arts, supporting institutions such as the Rotterdam Philharmonic Orchestra and the Rotterdamse Schouwburg. In the 1990s, this expanded to include art and cultural institutions and social organizations, including the Maritime Museum, Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen, Diergaarde Blijdorp, the Sophia Children’s Hospital, the Mauritshuis, and Huys ten Donck.
Sport also became an important part of our social commitment, particularly sailing. To support this, Stichting Benodet was established, organizing countless events over the past 30 years, including the Van UdenReco Stellendam Regatta — which has grown into the largest spring sailing event in the Netherlands. The foundation has also guided successful sailing teams. With the Swan 45, a world title was even achieved, and in 2025 the team won the prestigious Fastnet Race with the sailing yacht Van Uden.
