PlanetRomeo Foundation aims to support the needs of the LGBT community. The rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people are central to this aim. The Foundation supports activities in the spheres of education, culture, health, emancipation and sport. Other projects which seek to mobilize and activate the community may also qualify for support.
PlanetRomeo Foundation was founded in 2009 by PlanetRomeo BV, the operator of PlanetRomeo.com. The Foundation was established to professionalize and expand PlanetRomeo’s charitable work, and to make it more international.
VISION AND MISSION
Vision
PlanetRomeo Foundation envisions a world without discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation or identity; a world in which lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people have the same rights and opportunities as heterosexuals; a world which values and respects differences in sexual orientation, gender identity and expression.
Mission
PlanetRomeo Foundation aims to support:
- the realization of equal rights for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people;
- the creation of equal opportunities for LGBT people in the spheres of education, culture, health, emancipation and sport;
- the mobilization and activation of the LGBT community in the above contexts.
While not initiating projects itself, the Foundation aims to support activities in the above contexts. Most supported activities and projects will be focused on effecting societal change to improve the position of LGBT people.
STRATEGY
The rights of LGBT people are central to the work of the Foundation. It supports projects in the spheres of education, culture, health, emancipation and sport. Projects which aim to mobilize and activate the LGBT community may also qualify for support, as could activities with which the LGBT community demonstrates solidarity.
In its funding policy PlanetRomeo Foundation strives to find a balance between accessibility (supporting small community based projects) and quality control (justifiable spending). Supporting small scale initiatives based within the community is a priority. Precedence will be given to projects which do not have access to mainstream sources of funding.
In exceptional cases the Foundation may deviate from these guidelines.
PlanetRomeo Foundation is cautious about funding requests from organizations that have primarily political, ideological or religious aims, as well as commercial organizations and projects where financial profit is a goal.
The Foundation will not normally grant funding requests that are primarily for running costs, fundraising costs or activities aimed solely at promoting an organization. Overhead costs are also not eligible for funding. Finally, applications from individuals for living, travel and/or study costs will not be granted.
MANAGEMENT BOARD & BOARD OF TRUSTEES
Management Board
The Management Board takes care of the Foundation’s ongoing activities, like raising funds, granting funding requests and management of the Foundation’s resources. In addition, the Board is responsible for the policies of the Foundation and for reporting on its work. The Management Board reports to the Board of Trustees. The Management Board consists of three members:
Janneke Harting, Chairperson
University lecturer in the department of Social Health at the Academic Medical Centre University in Amsterdam.
Björn van Roozendaal, Secretary
International Advocacy Officer at LGBT organization COC Netherlands in Amsterdam.
Herman Bijkerk, Treasurer
One of the managing directors of PlanetRomeo BV in Amsterdam.
The Management Board is supported by Marc van Zijp, Coordinator.
Board of Trustees
In accordance with Dutch law, and in keeping with the serious aims of the Foundation, the Board of Trustees has a supervisory role. As such, the Board of Trustees has final responsibility for the decisions and work of the Foundation and its Management Board. The Board of Trustees consists of three members:
Michèl Tromp, Chairperson
Communication and Web-Advisor at the Academic Medical Centre in Amsterdam.
Roy van den Munckhof, Secretary
Legal Expert at MCA Legal in Amsterdam.
The position of Treasurer is currently vacant.