The foundations' Yearbook – good stories that make a difference

23.1.2021 I More news

Ingenuity, commitment, excellence - meet some of the many enthusiasts who, with funding from the foundations, help make a difference in the grant areas - environment, research, social initiatives, children and young people's preparation for the digital society, culture and society, and active senior citizens.

In 2020, 772 enthusiasts and projects received grants from VILLUM FONDEN and VELUX FONDEN of more than DKK 1 billion. Together, the efforts of the various grant recipients cover a wide range of activities - from maritime nature restoration to optimisation of flight wings and education of refugee and immigrant women.

• Dentist Jens Ove Andreasen's work to create a Dental Trauma Guide, which helps dentists all over the world to quickly diagnose and treat acute dental injuries. 
• How makerspaces in Aalborg, Aabenraa and Gentofte help prepare children and young people for the digital society through 3D printers, virtual reality and new teaching methods.
• ReDI School Copenhagen strengthens the digital skills and job opportunities for refugee and immigrant women by connecting private enterprises and volunteer teachers.
• Eye researcher Miriam Kolko investigates whether skin cells cultivated using stem cell research techniques can show the way to new types of treatment for the eye disease glaucoma.

The VKR Group was founded by Villum Kann Rasmussen, inventor of the roof window. Motivated by a desire to give back to the society that had given him so much, he established two philanthropic foundations, VILLUM FONDEN and VELUX FONDEN. Since their founding in 1971 and 1981, they have been honouring his wish by donating money to the people and the projects that can improve our lives and the society we live in.

The companies of the VKR Group employ 15,000 people in 41 countries. Their hard work, day-in and day-out, makes it possible to generate the profits that, over time, have formed the basis for the foundations’ philanthropic work. A portion of the VKR Group’s annual profits are turned over to the foundations, which invests the money into a diversified portfolio in order to achieve the highest possible returns, and in so doing enabling us to maximise our philanthropic grants.