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Founded in 1921, the Netherland-America Foundation (NAF) is the leading bilateral foundation initiating and supporting high-impact exchange between the Netherlands and the United States, including the NAF-Fulbright Fellowships and programs in the arts, business, public policy and historic preservation. NAF activities provide donors and recipients with access to a broad network of educational, cultural and business organizations that exemplify Dutch and American excellence in a number of disciplines.

Accomplishments

  • Creation of a national Dutch-American network with ten chapters: Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Houston, the Netherlands, Northern California (San Francisco), Southern California (Los Angeles), New York City, West Michigan and Washington, DC.
  • The NAF-Fulbright designation, enabling the Foundation to offer one of the most prestigious academic awards in the United States to Dutch and American scholars pursuing graduate studies in the other country. The NAF supports 16 to 24 students on an annual basis, and has awarded approximately 430 fellowships over the history of the program.
  • The Dekker-Padget Dutch2USA Internship Program, allows students the opportunity to advance their careers through international experience. The purpose of the program is to enable students who want to participate in an internship in the United States, but lack the financial means, to implement their plan by providing them with a scholarship. We expect to award 20 internships annually.
  • Establishment of a unique three-year interest-free study loan program with assets of over $500,000, supporting the exchange of Dutch and American students at universities in the other country. The NAF disburses 15 to 20 study loans annually, and has made approximately 200 loans over the course of the program.
  • Development of an active NAF Alumni network, assisted by committees operating in New York and Amsterdam, sponsoring local social, cultural and educational events.
  • A scholarship program enabling four to six Dutch students annually to attend summer institutes at George Mason University and to participate in internships on Capitol Hill.
  • A program of cultural exchange, providing an average of 30 grants annually for the exchange of talent in art and design, the performing arts, literature, history and community activities between the United States and the Netherlands.
  • NAF-Biz Networking Events, bringing together Dutch and American business people on a wide range of timely issues, in up to 70 distinct events annually across the NAF chapter regions.
  • Our “Friends Fund” program assists Dutch cultural, educational and charitable institutions to raise funds in the United States. In 2018 the NAF completed its sixth year of operation and had established 28 Friends Funds.
  • The NAF is providing visas through our new J-1 Visa Program.
  • Publication of the NAF Newsletter with an interesting lead story on Dutch-American exchange.

The Netherland-America Foundation, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization. www.thenaf.org

Charity Navigator, America’s premier charity evaluator, has given the NAF a second consecutive four-star rating – their highest – for “its ability to efficiently manage and grow its finances, demonstrating to the public it is worthy of their trust.”

 

Change starts here, with us, now.

It is the mission of the NAF to foster mutual understanding and build bridges between the Netherlands and the United States by encouraging, supporting, and funding the exchange of people and ideas that create appreciation, respect, and tolerance.

We are deeply committed to the values of diversity, equity, and inclusion. Within the mission and means of our organization, we pledge to fund programs and provide resources that promote meaningful change, address inequality and provide opportunities for people from diverse backgrounds in the exchange between our two countries.

We are all responsible for making change happen. Change starts here, with us, now.