So, you want to donate to a good cause — but there are so many out there. How do you choose where to contribute? For entrepreneur Luciano de Vries, successful philanthropy isn’t just about writing checks — it’s about finding a genuine connection and ensuring real impact. Through his experiences supporting various charitable initiatives, from animal shelters to youth sports programs, de Vries has developed a thoughtful take on giving that emphasizes personal involvement and effective communication. As a successful business leader with ventures spanning multiple industries, his insights offer valuable guidance for others looking to make meaningful charitable contributions.
De Vries believes in hands-on evaluation of charitable causes before committing support. “It’s mainly based on a feeling,” he explains. “You do notice that one is better than the other, and then at a certain moment, you just choose the one that’s the best.” This practical approach comes from direct experience working with various organizations and seeing their operations firsthand.
Luciano de Vries, football supporter
His involvement with a football club in the Netherlands exemplifies this philosophy. The program provided free football practice and matches for disabled children, an initiative de Vries supported for several years. “I worked with them. I did see how they were,” he recalls . “I did see their affection and love for what they’re doing.” This personal connection proved valuable: Years later, the same organization reached out again for support with a new clubhouse project, demonstrating the long-term relationships that can develop from thoughtful philanthropic engagement.
This success highlights how direct involvement can lead to sustainable partnerships. During his active participation, Luciano de Vries witnessed the tangible impact of their work: “When I was there, we had 100 disabled children, either mentally or physically, walking around on our football pitch for the events we organized for them.” These experiences helped shape his understanding of effective charitable giving and the importance of seeing results firsthand.
Communication: A key factor
For de Vries, effective communication is crucial in philanthropic partnerships. He shares an experience where he initially wanted to help improve a struggling animal shelter: “I actually did want to help the one that’s not the best, to help it become better. But again, the communication on their side was really bad.” After weeks without response, despite his attempts to help, Luciano de Vries redirected his support to more responsive organizations.
This emphasis on communication reflects his broader business philosophy — that clear, consistent dialogue is essential for any successful venture, whether for-profit or charitable. Poor communication often signals deeper organizational issues that could impact the effectiveness of contributions. By prioritizing organizations that maintain open and responsive communication channels, de Vries ensures his support can have maximum impact.
Measuring impact through personal connection
De Vries’ path to charitable giving is notably personal, emphasizing the importance of witnessing impact directly rather than relying solely on reports or third-party assessments. His experiences with the football club demonstrated how personal involvement can provide unique insights into an organization’s effectiveness and needs.
This hands-on attitude allows for better evaluation of both immediate impact and long-term potential. Rather than focusing purely on metrics or statistics, Luciano de Vries advocates for a more holistic assessment that considers both quantitative and qualitative factors. This balanced evaluation helps ensure that charitable support creates meaningful, sustainable change rather than short-term solutions.
When evaluating charitable causes, de Vries places significant emphasis on the dedication of the people involved. “That’s always the most important thing — do you see their affection and love for what they’re doing?” he asks. “When you know you have the right people, then most of the time, it will also be a good charity to give to.”
This focus on human factors reflects an understanding that successful charitable organizations require more than just efficient operations — they need committed leadership and staff who are genuinely invested in the mission. De Vries’ experience suggests that passionate individuals are more likely to overcome challenges and find innovative solutions to problems, making them better stewards of philanthropic support.
Building lasting philanthropic impact
Luciano de Vries’ philanthropic strategy offers valuable lessons for business leaders looking to make meaningful contributions. His method demonstrates that effective giving requires more than financial resources — it demands careful evaluation, personal involvement, and strategic thinking. Key takeaways from his methodology include:
- Prioritise direct engagement with charitable organizations to understand their operations and impact.
- Use communication effectiveness as a key indicator of an organization’s capability to deliver results.
- Look for passionate leadership and committed teams who demonstrate genuine care for their cause.
- Build long-term relationships with proven organizations rather than spreading support too thin.
- Balance emotional connection with a practical assessment of an organization’s effectiveness.
- Stay engaged beyond initial support to monitor and evaluate ongoing impact.
- Consider the sustainability of programs and their potential for long-term community benefit.
- Evaluate the organization’s ability to adapt and grow with additional resources.
- Look for opportunities to leverage business expertise to strengthen charitable organizations.
- Maintain consistency in support while remaining open to new opportunities.
By applying these principles, business leaders can develop more effective philanthropic strategies that create lasting positive change while maintaining the same level of diligence they apply to their business ventures. De Vries’ experience shows that when business acumen meets genuine social commitment, the impact of charitable giving can be significantly enhanced.
His approach emphasizes the importance of treating philanthropic endeavors with the same seriousness and strategic thinking as business investments. By combining careful evaluation with personal engagement and long-term commitment, donors can maximize the impact of their charitable giving while building meaningful relationships with organizations that share their values and vision for positive social change.
