Article about how the rich family Van der Vorm buys their power and wealth in Rotterdam.
The Van der Vorm family has invested approximately 150 million euros in Rotterdam through the De Verre Bergen and Droom en Daad equity funds. The municipality has set up a complex consultation structure especially for the very active patron. For example, both foundations advise directly to the Municipal Executive on their own plans through the Philanthropy Steering Group in Rotterdam, in which no other funds participate.
Councilors speak of an “unfair playing field”. They criticize the exclusive negotiating position of the patron and the non-transparent way in which the city council communicates about it. In the meantime, the Van der Vorm family keeps a tight grip on all the strings of the foundation boards, which raises questions about their independence.