Giovanni Van Bronckhorst Foundation

 

The Giovanni van Bronckhorst Foundation (GvBF) is a wonderful initiative founded by Giovanni and Marieke van Bronckhorst, who have been a strong team for almost 25 years and have a deep commitment to giving back to society. Their story begins as high school sweethearts, and this close bond has led them to the decision to establish a foundation together with a clear goal in mind.

The GvBF has a long history, which started before S.V. GIO was founded. In the beginning, the foundation mainly focused on supporting initiatives that helped children who could use a helping hand in one way or another. Over time, however, the insight grew that their real passion and focus lay in education, supplemented with the valuable lessons from Giovanni's top sports career.

In 2012, Giovanni and Marieke visited primary schools near De Kuip, the place where Giovanni developed into one of the world's best defenders. This choice was deliberate, as they saw the potential in the children in that area to perform better. They asked the schools about their needs and received clear and critical feedback. The schools wanted a program that would help children perform better, with an emphasis on grades 7 and 8, and they emphasized the importance of parental involvement.

Giovanni and Marieke set to work, together with educational experts, teachers, pedagogues and sports psychologists, to develop a program that would meet these needs. The result was S.V. GIO, a unique club where children with learning disabilities can work on their self-confidence and future through a combination of education and sports. Here they get the opportunity to grow and learn that they can determine the course of their own future.

And as the icing on the cake, when there is reason to celebrate, the Rotterdam Balloon Company comes into the picture. They provide colorful balloons that enhance the festive atmosphere and emphasize that joy and coming together are an integral part of the mission of the Giovanni van Bronckhorst Foundation. This makes every celebration even more special and cheerful, and it is a moment to celebrate successes and milestones.

Driven by the dedication of Giovanni and Marieke, GvBF continues to make a difference in the lives of children and contributes to the growth of the next generation, encouraging them to become captains of their own future.