Building Bridges, Creating Change: Marc de Kloe’s Vision for Education and Philanthropy

Marc de Kloe, co-founder of Alternatives 4 Children (A4C) in the Netherlands, has long recognised the transformative power of education. Now, as a trustee of A4C UK, he is helping to extend that vision across borders, bridging communities, industries, and opportunities with a mission rooted in access, empowerment, and sustainable change.

For Marc, the journey to A4C UK has been both strategic and personal.

“I’m a co-founder of A4C in the Netherlands, and I’ve been trying to build the bridge to the UK for several years. This was the best way to achieve it”​.

That spirit of connectivity, between geographies, causes, and people, resonates throughout his professional and philanthropic life.

With an international background and education spanning multiple countries, Marc has seen first-hand the difference schooling can make.

“Good education can help improve someone’s position in life, no matter the level,” he reflects. “Education is, for me, the hope that the world gets better and improves”​.

His role as a Trustee of A4C UK allows him to channel decades of financial sector experience into something with enduring societal impact.

“It’s a great way to put my work experience and connections to use, to leverage the relationships I’ve built to drive change and improvement in the world,” he notes​.

A4C UK’s model is distinctively pragmatic.

“We take a ‘Dutch’ approach that is frugal, focused, and effective,” Marc says. “We will run events and support projects in a way that ensures the best return on impact. We don’t go for large-scale operations. Instead, we support grassroots projects and apply the same due diligence and rigour we would in financial investing”​.

It’s this strategic mindset that makes A4C particularly aligned with the investment community.

“In our industry, taking advantage of opportunities requires the right backing and background. Education gives that backing to people who don’t have the same starting point, and that’s a value that investment professionals deeply understand”​.

Despite the professional parallels, Marc’s involvement is anything but transactional.

“Every event we arrange, every pound or dollar we raise, and every project we support makes me feel proud,” he shares. “It’s a natural extension of my professional life, it energises me. And honestly, it’s a nice distraction from day-to-day work”​.

When asked what success would look like for A4C UK over the next five years, Marc’s answer is characteristically inclusive:

“Even one person helped through better education is a milestone. But of course, we’d like to replicate that 10,000 times”​.

His message to those considering getting involved is simple and compelling:

“Get involved and enhance your career as well as give back.”

For Marc, this isn’t just charity, it’s impact with intention.

“From the industry, for the industry, making grassroots difference”​.

And if he had to describe A4C UK in three words?

“Make a difference”.

A philosophy that perfectly encapsulates the mission he helped found and continues to champion across borders.