On behalf of the Board of Directors and staff of the Netherland-America Foundation, we are saddened to share the passing of NAF Board Member John R. Padget on September 22, 2026.

Together with his late partner Jacob Gelt Dekker and with the generous financial support of John’s charitable foundation, the Golden Fleece Foundation, John was the founder of the NAF’s largest program, the Dutch2USA Internship Program. John also founded the USA2Holland Program for American students pursuing internships in the Netherlands.

The Dutch2USA program financially enables students enrolled in Dutch institutions of higher learning to gain valuable professional experience in the United States. Since its founding in 2017, 227 students have received a Dutch2USA grant. A renewed long-term partnership concluded earlier this year between the NAF and GFF allows the Dutch2USA Internship Program to be expanded to 100 students per year.

At the heart of John’s philanthropy was his belief in opening doors for young people who might not otherwise have had the same opportunities, creating possibilities for students that might otherwise have remained out of reach.

Closely involved with the programs, and never wavering in his vision or determination, John was a force. He was familiar with the intricacies of the programs and resolute in his goal to support as many students as possible with a transformational opportunity. Earlier this year, he was able to meet many Dutch2USA alumni in the Netherlands. It conveyed just how tremendous his impact was.

Through his incredible perseverance and unwavering involvement right up until the very end, he shaped the programs and the opportunities they created for so many students. He always kept us on our toes, encouraged us to always aim higher, and challenged us to give just a little more. His generosity has been truly extraordinary, and his commitment and belief in his programs have meant so much to all of us at the NAF and the many alumni of his programs.

In addition to Dutch2USA and USA2Holland, John made many philanthropic efforts through the Golden Fleece Foundation. One in particular was The Florida Keys Black Educator Initiative, where he worked to bridge the gap between the 12% of Black students in the Florida Keys by hiring more Black educators.

Efforts like Dutch2USA and the Black Educator Initiative often came with the question: Is this too good to be true? But both programs, along with other efforts in John’s philanthropic legacy, were laden with pure generosity and the motivation to enact change for as many people as possible.

John had strong ties to the Florida Keys, where he resided for most of the year, along with Amsterdam, New York City, and Curaçao, making his impact known in his chosen homes.

The NAF has lost a visionary, but we are deeply grateful for John’s extraordinary impact and the legacy he leaves behind. With the continued support of the Golden Fleece Foundation, the NAF is committed to carrying on the Dutch2USA program with the same dedication and determination, ensuring that John’s vision and support will continue to provide students with life-changing opportunities for years to come.