Societal contribution
Introduction
A family-owned company with societal contribution
Our responsibility towards both society and the planet is deeply routed in our DNA. There is more to business than financials only. To ensure that our societal contribution connects to our ESG commitments, we support initiatives centred round three themes: 'innovation and next gen', 'health and wellbeing' and 'future in farming'.
Social impact
Van der Lely Foundation
In 2025, the Van der Lely family officially launched the Van der Lely Foundation. Yearly, we pledge 5% of our profit to the foundation, reinforcing our commitment to making a tangible social impact alongside our ESG strategy.
The foundation welcomes ideas from Lely employees and the wider community, turning shared ambitions into action. Recent projects include funding medical research via the Erasmus Trust Fund, a partnership with Codam for free software education, and the restoration of Paulus Potter’s painting ‘De Stier’ in collaboration with the Mauritshuis museum.
GoDare
Inspiring the innovators of tomorrow
GoDare encourages children to discover the world of technology through hands-on learning. Lely proudly supports GoDare by providing employee coaches, who share their passion and expertise in technology.
In 2024, 151 Lely coaches volunteered over 1,100 hours, guiding more than 500 students through 381 workshops — all at no cost to the schools. By doing so, we help ignite curiosity and lay the groundwork for the next generation of inventors, problem-solvers and makers.
Sponsorships
Supporting vitality and farmer well-being
Alongside GoDare and the Van der Lely Foundation, we also invest in sponsorships that reflect our values as a family-owned company. These sponsorships circle around vitality and health and to support (local) communities. Examples are sponsorships for several sports clubs and initiatives that promote active lifestyles, including R.K.S.V. Excelsior ’20, Excelsior Maassluis, and the Delft University of Technology’s sailing association Broach.
For more information on sponsorships, please contact Tamara Chorak via tchorak@lely.com.
