1992

The origin of Fonds 1818

When the Nutsspaarbank The Hague merged with the VSB Bank in 1992, the foundation behind the Nutsspaarbank was left with a large share package. This foundation was later renamed Fonds 1818.

Riviervismarkt 4 in Den Haag, naast Het Nutshuis, is het voormalig kantoor van Fonds 1818

Trappenhuis Riviervismarkt 4, voormalig kantoor van Fonds 1818 — Stairwell Riviervismarkt 4, former office of Fonds 1818

Binnenplaats tussen de Directeurskamer en Bestuurskamer — Courtyard between the Directeurskamer and Bestuurskamer

The Hague Nutsspaarbank was founded in 1818 as a non-profit institution. The bank was intended to help the 'common man' get ahead. Over the course of almost two centuries, the bank continued to expand its operating area. As a result, it eventually became a business organization.

Due to the merger with VSB Bank, which later became Fortis Bank, the idea of the bank as a social institution disappeared. But not completely. The ownership of the Nutsspaarbank, the buildings and the money, was in the hands of a foundation. Thanks to the sale of the bank in 1992, this foundation acquired a valuable share package.

From VSB to 1818

During the merger, the foundation was renamed Stichting VSB Fonds Den Haag en Omstreken. This fund decided to support social causes with the money from the shares. It spends more than ten million euros every year on large and small projects in the nineteen municipalities in its operating area. You can read where those ten million euros come from each year in this explanation of the investment policy of Fonds 1818 (in Dutch).

On October 18, 2001, the foundation was given a new name: Stichting Fonds 1818 tot Nut van 't algemeen (for the benefit of the general public). With this name, the fund refers to its historical background, but it also emphasizes that it is an independent organization, separate from the bank.

To this day, Fonds 1818 – owner and operator of Het Nutshuis – keeps the idea of the society for the public benefit alive. Foundations, associations and groups of local residents who want to make society more beautiful can turn to Fonds 1818 for financing and assistance in setting up and implementing social projects.