I help organisations shape ideas,
ABOUT YOUR INITIATIVE
You have a project related to mental health or empowerment. You’d like to build long-term relationships with funders and secure funding, but you’re not sure where to begin — or perhaps you simply don’t have the time.
My focus is on Dutch and international foundations, and on initiatives that strengthen personal develoment and skills development, youth, empowerment and social impact – themes that connect closely to my background in both international development and youth work in the Netherlands.
Here are some examples of the kinds of projects I support:
- Youth programmes that build resilience
- Training programmes that empower women
- Festivals or events focused on emotions and wellbeing
- Programmes promoting healthy habits and connection with nature
- Projects that integrates personal development into regular education
- Neighbourhood initiatives to reduce loneliness
- Programmes on sexual health and resilience for boys and girls
- Initiatives that foster body awareness among vulnerable groups
- Participation in MDT (maatschappelijke diensttijd)
Projects can take place in the Netherlands or abroad. I have extensive experience working in developing countries and lived in Sub Saharan Africa for 2 years.
HOW I WORK
We start with a conversation about your initiative — what’s already in place, and what your wishes are for the future. If possible, I like to witness or join one of your activities so I can truly experience and feel the impact of your work. This helps me convey a strong, authentic story to potential funders.
Sometimes there are already leads; other times we start from scratch. When you want to learn more about fundraising as an organisation, I can guide you through everything, so maybe next time you can do more yourself. Ideally, your organisation develops a project budget and a team member can design documents in your own housestyle if required, while I map out the funding landscape and identify the most promising opportunities. I’ll estimate the hours I expect to need, and we’ll discuss and agree on this together.
I work as a freelancer and do not operate on a “no cure, no pay” basis. I charge an hourly rate, and we can discuss a predefined bonus structure that will be paid once the funding is confirmed.
I especially enjoy long-term collaborations over one-off assignments — once we get to know each other, my work becomes more aligned with your organisation’s mission and needs.
SERVICES
Looking for support in navigating the funding landscape? From identifying the right funders and shaping project ideas to building partnerships and writing successful applications, I can support your organization throughout the fundraising journey.
Fundraising Strategy & Funding Research
Identifying the right funding opportunities and developing a realistic fundraising roadmap:
- Funding landscape research and prospect identification
- Funding strategy development
- Opportunity assessment and feasibility analysis
Project Development & Partnership Building
Turning ideas into fundable initiatives and building the right collaborations to strengthen proposals:
- Project concept development
- Fundable project design
- Partnership development & stakeholder engagement
- Consortium building and strategic collaborations
Donor & Funder Relations
Building and maintaining strong relationships with funders and partners to support long-term success:
- Donor relationship management
Grant Writing & Proposal Development
Translating plans and ambitions into compelling funding applications.
- Grant proposal writing
- Funding application preparation and submission
- Proposal coordination and project narrative development
Proposal Review & Fundraising Advisory
Providing feedback to strengthen applications and improve funding success rates:
- Proposal review and quality assessment
- Critical feedback on draft applications
- Funding readiness assessments
- Strategic fundraising advice
ABOUT ME
My name is Aukje te Kaat – I am a therapist, sociologist, and fundraiser based in Utrecht, the Netherlands. Throughout my career and personal life, mental health and empowerment have been a central theme.
As a young person, I felt a strong urge to “save the world.” Studying sociology — and later completing a second Master’s degree in Conflict and Development Studies — felt like a meaningful step in that direction. For nearly ten years, I worked in international development: supporting youth organisations in slums of Tanzania and Kenya; working with refugees in Malawi for UNHCR; and leading a research department focused on the social and financial skills of young people, mostly in developing countries.
Over time, I learned that I don’t need to save the whole world — no one can. But I can contribute meaningfully to mental health, personal development, and empowerment. My background as a researcher, sociologist, and therapist — combined with being bilingual (Dutch/English) and experience in working with different types of organisations — allows me to connect with people and organisations on many levels.
Since 2015, I have been involved in fundraising for NGOs. Until 2025, it was never my primary focus, but I always greatly enjoyed it — and my proposals were consistently successful. Between 2015 and 2025, I raised over €3.5 million for various organisations. I value building long-term relationships with foundations, demonstrating the impact of important work, and developing proposals for future projects.
As of January 2026, I am working as a freelance fundraiser. I look forward to meeting you — and exploring how we can make a difference together.
RELEVANT EXPERIENCE
Since January 2026
As a freelance fundraiser, I’ve worked with a range of organisations. They are mostly non-profit, and I’ve applied with both Dutch and European funding.
2020–2025: Stichting Breekjaar
I worked on a wide range of projects in multiple roles, including fundraiser. In that role, I successfully collaborated with Fonds21, VBSfonds, Green at Heart, and MDT.
2015–2020: Aflatoun International
As Research Manager and Gender Advisor, I designed new projects and successfully secured funding from a range of international donors, including Chemonics International, Erasmus+, Echidna Giving, Credit Suisse, Dioraphte, GEC, HDIF, Porticus, PSIPSE, and ING.
Relevant Education
2012–2014: Advanced Master’s in Conflict & Development, Ghent University
2011–2012: PhD Research on life skills for young professionals, Ghent University
2005–2009: Bachelor’s & Master’s in Sociology, Radboud University Nijmegen
Leave me a message and I will get in touch with you.
”We are very happy that we decided to work with Aukje! We have worked on two funding applications together, of which the largest has already been approved, and we expect to hear about the other one soon. Aukje works meticulously and with great drive; she understands the impact you want to make and can translate that into language that truly resonates with the funder. She thinks along, is critical when needed, and genuinely wants the project to succeed. I can recommend her 100%, and I can’t wait for all the future applications we will take on with her.
RutgerOuf of Office Foundation