No. 1 position for Michael Rutgers in philanthropy and social investment ranking

November 12, 2020

Today Dutch philanthropy magazine De Dikke Blauwe declared Michael Rutgers 'the most influential player in Dutch philanthropy'. A special recognition for Michael personally. As his team at Lung Foundation, were are proud to share the news with you.

The jury awards the honourable no. 1 position in the annual ranking to Michael because of his significance as a connector, innovator and booster in the social domain. In particular, the jury praises the way in which Michael has further developed Lung Foundation Netherlands into an agile, contemporary health organisation where the mission 'rid the world of lung diseases, healthy air for everyone' is central to all activities.

In addition to praising Michael's managerial qualities as director of Lung Foundation Netherlands and chairman of the Collaborative Dutch Health Funds, there is much praise for his swift action during the first corona wave this spring. He initiated digital platform coronalongplein.nl which was launched in a very short period of time through a joining of forces between Lung Foundation and the Dutch Lung Alliance in order to meet the need for reliable information and mutual contact among the vulnerable new group of patients.

Michael's driving force behind the program 'Healthiest Generation 2040', the National Prevention Agreement and the Clean Air Agreement is also praised in the jury report.

Michael takes over the honourable title of 'most influential player in the world of philanthropy' from Adriana Esmeijer, director of the Prince Bernhard Culture Fund. Previous first ranked on the DDB100 list included Princess Laurentien and Joop and Janine van den Ende.

Please find a sneak preview of the interview (in Dutch) here. The full jury report can be found here.