ING donates 500,000 euros to the new 'What The Finance' Fund to create a more financially inclusive society

ING is proud to announce the launch of the 'What The Finance' Fund. Created in partnership with the King Baudouin Foundation, this Fund aims to promote financial health and inclusion for all Belgians. Donating to this fund is part of ING’s ambition to strengthen its role in society and provide the necessary oxygen for a more financially inclusive society.

Recent research by the University College of West Flanders has shown that many young people feel underprepared for their financial future . Only 5% consider themselves financially well informed. Yet financial health is an essential building block for a stable and resilient society. It goes beyond basic financial knowledge. Attitudes and behaviour are equally important. To address this, ING has established the 'What The Finance' Fund.

ING and the King Baudouin Foundation have been working together constructively for more than 20 years in order to have the greatest possible impact on Belgian society by supporting various social actors and vulnerable groups in society. To work towards a more financially inclusive society, the Fund will support both local and national projects of non-profit organisations. In total, ING will donate in 2025 500,000 euros for this purpose. 

To select these projects, the Fund will work with targeted calls for proposals. Any Belgian non-profit organisation can submit a project that demonstrates concretely how the financial health of Belgians will be improved. An independent jury selects the organisations who will receive financial support to further develop their projects. 

Philippe Wallez, Head of ESG at ING Belgium: “Within our social commitment as a major bank, we recognise that financial inclusion and health are crucial. We are convinced that together with the King Baudouin Foundation we can make a difference. Specifically, the 'What The Finance' Fund will be used to create a more financially inclusive society. We look forward to supporting projects both locally and nationally.”

Stefan Schaefers, Chief Programme Officer at KBF: “The King Baudouin Foundation is building a society that leaves no one behind. With various projects and initiatives, and by promoting financial education health & inclusion as a basic competency, the foundation helps young people and their parentseveryone to be prepared for the challenges of everyday life.”

Additional information
Daphne Poets - spokesperson for ING Belgium 
+32 478 66 21 58
pressoffice@ing.be