Annual report 2016

Grants in 2016: Over DKK 1.1 billion for a broad variety of projects

In 2016 our two non-profit, private charitable foundations left their mark on the Danish society with 635 grants of over DKK 1.1 billion for significant research areas and projects within the social, environmental and cultural areas.

The Annual Report is a kaleidoscope of articles about e.g. museum dissemination, practical ecology, retinal diseases, daylight award, gerontology, follow-up help after Christmas aid, dementia, family counseling and Romani people.

Short and long articles will give you an impression of ​​the wide range of the projects and areas, which the foundations have committed to through the grants.

In addition, you will find facts about the foundations´ board members, key figures and our history – this will give you an insight into our background.

A year of anniversaries

The year 2016 will be especially remembered for several major anniversaries, which made us hoist the flag in our little corner of the charitable world. The VKR Group behind the two foundations could celebrate its 75th anniversary, VILLUM FONDEN its 45th anniversary and VELUX FONDEN its 35th anniversary.

Major events in 2016 that were celebrated with special anniversary grants:

The Villum Kann Rasmussen Annual Award in Science and Technology. In 2016 the award was given as two awards - DKK 5 million to each recipient. The awards were given to two excellent researchers; marine bacteria researcher Lone Gram from DTU and plant molecular biologist Jens Stougaard from Aarhus University.

DKK 150 million for VILLUM FONDEN's largest research initiative ever - the establishment of a new research center at DTU in collaboration with researchers at Stanford University, the University of Southern Denmark and Copenhagen University. The collaborators will try to create breakthroughs in the development of substitutes for fossil fuels.

VELUX FOUNDATION granted almost DKK 8 million for the anniversary initiative 'Mapping the Public Value of Humanities' - an interdisciplinary research project. The purpose of the project is to map the public value of the Danish humanities research, and how this value can be documented in a meaningful way.

In appreciation of the 13,500 employees of the VKR Group, VILLUM FONDEN benefited the Employee Foundation with a grant of DKK 75 million. This gift will help the Employee Foundation to continuously support the employees and their families in both good times and in harder times. 

Continues in 2017

Overall, we are pleased to support very different projects as we hope to make a difference for both individuals and for many different purposes. We look forward to continuing our efforts in 2017.