The Foundation operates in a changing world where the USA has chosen its own path, war has returned to Europe, the conflict in the Middle East has flared up again, trade barriers are part of the geopolitical game, and climate challenges are ever present. Globalisation has been replaced by regional and continental interests which risk overshadowing important and universal perspectives. A new world order is coming into being.
Foundation Chair Flemming Konradsen and Executive Director Kim Nøhr Skibsted. Photo: Montgomery
2025 marks 50 years since the Grundfos Foundation was established with the clear purpose of protecting, strengthening and developing the Grundfos company. The Foundation’s ownership role has since been supplemented with philanthropic activities and investments.
Creating lasting change
In its philanthropic efforts, the Foundation brings about necessary and lasting improvements benefiting people and the environment. Major efforts have been initiated together with like-minded partners to show that alliances can drive essential changes and improvements.
Strong local engagement
As the owner of the Grundfos Group and its affiliated companies, our desire has been to create the opportunity for local engagement and to live our common values in collaboration with others. This has happened across most of the world, and we are delighted to see that the Foundation’s contributions are producing sustainable results on both a large and small scale. This, coupled with the Grundfos Group’s unique volunteering programme, which gives employees three paid days to engage locally, has resulted in specific, lasting programmes within education, environment and active citizenship.
The front page of this year’s Annual Review illustrates one such local engagement programme, where Grundfos colleagues in Vietnam have set about removing plastic waste from rivers and other watercourses. Hundreds of other programmes in various parts of the world bear testimony to a huge desire to contribute.
2024 Annual review: Volunteers from the organisation Saigon Xanh, along with staff from Grundfos and ASSIST Asia, participate in a weekend canal clean-up in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. Cover photo: Chris Trinh for FairPicture
Strong support for Ukraine
In Ukraine, we have actively engaged in assisting with humanitarian efforts and providing clean water in shattered towns. We have supported vital aid for people in need in Sudan, Gaza, Lebanon and other countries.
Innovative alliance in Kenya
A strong, innovative alliance between the Novo Nordisk Foundation, the LEGO Foundation, the Grundfos Foundation, and Danish and Kenyan authorities in Kenya will now provide refugees with equal access to health services, education and clean water. This provides the opportunity and right to create for themselves a better life close to their country of origin. Other countries, foundations and organisations are showing an interest in creating similar initiatives, because together we can achieve much more.
Changes to the Board of Directors
At its annual meeting, the Foundation chose to appoint Claus Aagaard as a new board member and re-elected Ingermarie Due Nielsen to the Board of Directors. Flemming Konradsen was elected Chair, and Jabine van der Meijs became the new Vice-Chair.