Some collaborations touch you more deeply than others. For Stay Future Proof, one of those is the partnership with the Sander Foundation. The Sander Foundation is a Dutch non-profit dedicated to strengthening the mental wellbeing of young people and providing support for those struggling with depression. The foundation was created by Sander’s parents, Ewald and Sonja, together with their loved ones, after Sander tragically took his own life at the age of twenty. Sonja shares: “Sander passed away as a result of a severe depression.”
The foundation was established at Sander’s bedside, to give meaning to the place he would forever hold in the hearts of his loved ones. But it was also founded with a mission: to help others. The question was how. That’s when Sonja, Sander’s mother and the foundation’s chair, reached out to Stay Future Proof for help. Together, they defined a clear vision for the future and began shaping the foundation’s visual identity.
Our approach
The collaboration between the Sander Foundation and Stay Future Proof unfolded in several stages. It began by defining the dot on the horizon: the long-term goal and direction for the organization. What would the foundation focus on, and who would it serve? Having this clarity early on is just as essential for a non-profit as it is for a business. It provides direction and serves as a compass for future decisions. Sonja explains: “Stay Future Proof’s greatest strength is turning an organization’s vision into something tangible and real.” Together, they defined that the Sander Foundation’s mission is to strengthen young people’s mental health and provide support for those dealing with depression. The foundation does this by informing and connecting young people and their loved ones with organizations that offer free mental health support, as well as by building a community through online and offline training programs. The business model of the Sander Foundation has also been developed, clarifying how the foundation can realize its mission in a sustainable and impactful way, both now and in the future.
The next step was designing the foundation’s visual identity and its main touchpoints. Stay Future Proof’s Creative Designer, Christiaan, immersed himself in Sander’s story to truly understand who he was. From there, he created the logo; a large red heart with the foundation’s name beneath it. He also designed the website, carefully choosing colors that reflected Sander’s personality. Sonja recalls: “Stay Future Proof really listened to us and took the time to understand who Sander was. It almost felt like they knew him. They brought our vision to life exactly as we imagined.”
Once the visual identity and website were complete, Christiaan also designed a flyer, business cards, and an email signature: key touchpoints that help spread the foundation’s message. Sonja explains: “These visual materials really help professionalize the foundation and give it a more credible presence.”
Throughout the design process, the teams maintained close communication. Every new design went through several feedback rounds to ensure it felt right. Clear and fast communication proved to be essential. Sonja notes: “Working with Stay Future Proof is very professional. They were quick, sharp, and reliable. You never have to worry if things are being taken care of; they just are.”
Results
The collaboration between the Sander Foundation and Stay Future Proof led to meaningful and lasting results. The foundation now has a clear vision and knows exactly who it serves and in what way it helps its target group. The business model is well-defined, and its strong visual identity beautifully reflects who Sander was. The various touchpoints created during the project have helped increase the foundation’s awareness, without the need for a large budget.
Sonja concludes: “The Sander Foundation has become a strong brand with a clear direction and a powerful visual identity. People recognize us instantly. Through the Sander Foundation and its awareness, Sander and his story continue to live on.”
And the work doesn’t stop there. Sonja and the foundation’s team are preparing to launch a new platform: Sunny. Sunny helps young people discover and develop themselves so they can live fully and confidently. It does so by offering inspiring videos, enriching meditations, and reflective questions designed to stimulate personal growth.
We would be happy to discuss how we can also make your organization future proof. Curious?
