ANBI Status Obtained In The Netherlands

As of February 15, 2011, the Dutch Tax Service (Belastingdienst) has granted the ANBI status to The Optical Foundation. The Dutch abbreviation ANBI means Algemeen Nut Beogende Instellingen (Institution Aimed at the Common Good) refers to charitable, religious, humanistic, cultural and scientific institutions whose mission and operations are deemed by the Tax Service overwhelmingly to serve the Common Good.

What does this mean for The Optical Foundation?
Obtaining the ANBI status means that The Optical Foundation may be seen as mature and honest institution, this transparency is beneficial for our foundation. Having been granted this status means that 100 percent of The Optical Foundation’s money raised via sponsorships and donations is put toward the organization’s objectives. For The Optical Foundation these refer to educating mainly female optometry students, thus contributing to their (economic) independence. This allows them to perform more measurements, while allowing eye care, particularly for children in Ghana, to be made accessible. Good vision is essential for the development of a child. Being able to see properly gives a child an opportunity to keep up in school and allows the child to attain a better future.

What does this mean for me as a sponsor or donor?
Besides the fact that The Optical Foundation can present itself to the outside world as a transparent organization the ANBI status also favours The Optical Foundation ‘s Sponsors, Contributors and Supporters in countries that grant tax concessions to foreign registered charities, as well as those based in the Netherlands. Sponsors, Contributors and supporters who have made a donation to The Optical Foundation may be able to deduct the amount from taxable income.

More information?
If you would like to know more about the conditions of the ANBI status, please refer to www.anbi.nl.