Societal contribution
Introduction
A family-owned company with social contribution
We believe progress is only meaningful when it benefits the world around us. As a family-owned business, we see it as our responsibility to contribute to a more inclusive, educated and inspired society - both locally and globally. Through the Van der Lely Foundation and our active community engagement, we invest in the future by supporting education, culture, innovation, and health.
Our commitment
Van der Lely Foundation
In 2025, Lely officially launched the Van der Lely Foundation, an independent, ANBI-registered charity supporting projects that contribute to science education, entrepreneurship, innovation and technology, healthcare, sustainability, and the arts. Lely pledges 5% of its annual profit to the foundation, reinforcing our commitment to making a tangible social impact alongside our ESG strategy.
The foundation welcomes ideas from Lely employees and the wider community, turning shared ambitions into action. Recent projects include funding medical research via the Erasmus Trust Fund, a partnership with Codam for free software education, and the restoration of Paulus Potter’s painting ‘De Stier’ in collaboration with the Mauritshuis museum.
GoDare
Inspiring the innovators of tomorrow
The GoDare Foundation encourages children to discover the world of technology through hands-on learning. Lely proudly supports GoDare by providing employee coaches, who share their passion and expertise in STEM education.
In 2024, 151 Lely coaches volunteered over 1,100 hours, guiding more than 500 students through 381 workshops — all at no cost to the schools. By doing so, we help ignite curiosity and lay the groundwork for the next generation of inventors, problem-solvers and makers.
Sponsorships
Supporting vitality and farmer well-being
Alongside these initiatives, we also invest in sponsorships that reflect our values as a family-owned company. Vitality and health are central to our vision of the Farm of the Future, and we extend this focus through support for both the farming community and local sports. Since 2025, we have sponsored the independent foundation Zorg om Boer en Tuinder, which provides a listening ear to farmers concerned about their business or financial situation.
In addition, we support several sports clubs and initiatives that promote active lifestyles, including R.K.S.V. Excelsior ’20, Excelsior Maassluis, and the Delft University of Technology’s sailing and rowing associations, Broach and Proteus-Eretes.
For more information on sponsorships, please contact Tamara Chorak at tchorak@lely.com.
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