About Madurodam

Charity

Madurodam is more than just an attraction park. We are also a war memorial, established as a living tribute to war hero George Maduro. But did you know that since our opening in 1952, we’ve been donating our proceeds to charitable causes? Each year, we give between €600,000 and €700,000 to projects and activities for children and young people. Our goal? To help these children connect with others, engage in real conversations, listen to each other, and do something meaningful for someone else — all to make society a little better together. In total, we’ve donated over €38 million through the Madurodam Children’s Fund.

Kinderen in actie voor een ander bij Madurodam Marathon

Empathy in action

The Madurodam Children’s Fund believes that children and young people are the future. To create a good and beautiful future, they need to be able to actively contribute to society. The fund encourages them to connect with others — regardless of age or background — to build a better Netherlands together. We call this “empathy in action.” When young people do something, even on a small scale, for the people around them, they make a big difference in society. That takes self-confidence, resilience, courage, and empathy — all qualities George Maduro, the war hero after whom Madurodam is named, possessed. By supporting projects for children and youth, the fund hopes to inspire a new generation to follow in his footsteps.

Personal development

Children and young people develop these qualities by learning about themselves and others — by discovering and experiencing. The Madurodam Children’s Fund supports projects where they learn to be empathetic, to listen and engage in dialogue, to meet others, and to truly connect. These are essential skills for building relationships with those around them. In doing so, they carry forward the values behind Madurodam as “the city of the smile” and help spread them across the Netherlands.

Building a better society

The Madurodam Children’s Fund contributes to a better Dutch society in three ways:

  • By donating to charities for children and youth in the region of The Hague, throughout the Netherlands, and in the Dutch Caribbean.
  • By initiating its own projects for, by, and with children and young people, such as the VONK dinner, the National Children’s Remembrance Day on May 4, and the Freedom Lunch on May 5.
  • Through the personal challenges of our children’s city council, made up of ten secondary school students.

Much more than just an attractionpark!