The story of FEMI

In 1990, Ruud Bakhuizen became the CEO and owner of the Hooge Raedt Group, a successful real estate holding company. He wanted to do something worthwhile with his money so he decided to focus on the market, as any entrepreneur would do.

Ruud and his wife Annelies opted to concentrate on improving the living conditions of children. After a number of donations to existing foundations they decided to set up a private foundation in order to lay down their ideas and be able to initiate more activities. The FEMI, Foundation to Earth, Mankind through Inspiration and Initiative, came into existence on 28 December 1995.

The board at the time consisted of Ruud and Annelies Bakhuizen, Waling Koning, Herman van Keulen and Martien van den Heuvel. Ineke van Keulen is a major source of inspiration.

Over the past years FEMI has learned a lot from its successes and its setbacks. Thanks to the input of committed volunteers, the strong efforts of Ruud and Annelies Bakhuizen and Ruud’s enormous network, FEMI grew steadily. Several foundations – including UNO-Inkomen and Zero-Kap – have also been integrated in FEMI by now in order to expand the knowledge and the scope of FEMI.

In 2011 a CEO was appointed to increase the professionalism of the organisation and to be able to realise the objectives in an even better way.