Major donors in Netherlands feel moral duty to give

Two thirds (67%) of Dutch major donors feel that their own privileged position creates a moral duty to give, according to a survey of 400 affluent clients of the private bank ABN AMRO MeesPierson.

More than four in five (83%) respondents to the survey, undertaken with input from EFA member Goede Doelen Nederland, gave money to charity last year, averaging nearly €9,500 per donor.

These donors are most likely to support national (as opposed to international) or local causes, with a particular focus on health, care and wellbeing (welzijn) causes. Almost eight out of ten major donors attached significant importance to donating to charities with which they feel a strong bond – a figure that rises to 88% in major donors under the age of 65, and is a slightly lower 76% among older donors.

The study also shows that those younger donors more often support nature and environmental organisations, while art, culture, education and science are the preferred causes of older donors.

Frank Aalderinks, head of philanthropy advice at ABN AMRO, says:

“Our research shows that a large majority of major donors see philanthropy as a way to contribute to society.  At the same time, we see that feeling a personal connection with the charity is an important driver. This shows that the bond with civil society organizations is crucial in the donating behaviour of these major donors.”

The survey demonstrates the importance of tax incentives to encourage major donors to put their hand in their pocket.

As Fundraising Europe reported in late 2024, a newly-created €250,000 annual limit on donations eligible for tax deductions is now due to be increased to €1.5m, a change welcomed by GDN.

More than a third of survey respondents who gave more than €5,000 last year said that they would give less if deductions were scrapped, although 57% said it would make no difference.

Aalderinks comments:

“The tax deduction for donations is an incentive for major donors who focus on areas where [public] subsidies are being cut, such as education, arts and culture, and development aid. They see it as their social duty to contribute. It seems society is relying on this group more than ever before. By maintaining tax benefits for private donors, the government has opted in favour of stimulating philanthropy and social engagement.”

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