Rabobank Foundation

Rabobank Foundation was established in the early seventies as a result of the merger of the two largest co-operative banking networks in the Netherlands. It is a private development agency entirely funded by the 250 primary co-operative banks in the Netherlands and their apex organisation Rabobank Nederland. Rabobank Group is a co-operative bank which ranks among the largest banks in the world, and the only commercial bank with a triple A status. Rabobank Foundation is a vivid expression of the Bank's corporate social responsibility. Rabobank Foundation is part of Rabobank Development Programme.

Rabobank Foundation and Microfinance
The self-help philosophy of Friedrich Raiffeisen of the mid nineteenth century still inspires Rabobank Foundation. Rabobank Foundation aims at promoting sustainable economic development for and by the poorer segments of society, and at their empowerment. In the developing economies of Africa, Asia and Latin America the Foundation supports rural initiatives in which people have joined forces to improve their economic and social position in the community. The large majority of projects are in the field of microfinance (savings, credit, insurance, money transfer systems) and in economic ventures of member-based organisations.

In the Netherlands, Rabobank Foundation supports activities of private organisations to improve the access of handicapped people to work, income and a meaningful place in the family, in local and in regional communities.