Relationship-driven fundraiser for
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 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. 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.
ABOUT ME
My name is Aukje te Kaat – I am a therapist, sociologist, and fundraiser based in Utrecht, the Netherlands. Throughout my career, 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 €3.4 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 2025, I am working as a freelance fundraiser. I look forward to meeting you — and exploring how we can make a difference together.
RELEVANT WORK EXPERIENCE
Current projects
- Stichting Breekjaar
- Out of Office Foundation
- A Simple Mind
- Fireball Festival
2020–2025: Stichting Breekjaar
I worked on a wide range of projects in multiple roles, including fundraiser. In that role, I successfully collaborated with Fonds 21, VBS Fonds, 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