The purpose of the Stoop Fund is to provide material support to needy descendants of the founder’s parents, or, as Mr Dirk Hubert Stoop had recorded in his will in 1731: ‘tot substitutie sooverre het strekken kan van de arme vrinden van het geslagte Stoop en de Veer’ (for the support, as far as it may extend, of the poor kin of the Stoop and de Veer family).
At the time this website was created in 2021, almost 300 years later, this purpose is still relevant, and descendants of Dirk Hubert’s parents can call upon the fund. In addition to support, the board also values connection and history.
The activities of the board today are still primarily focused on providing support, on meeting the financial objectives needed to continue offering that support, and on accounting for it. In our digital world — a world unimaginable in Dirk Hubert’s time — it takes little effort to devote attention to creating mutual connection between the descendants. The board is keen to keep the history of the Fund in honour. A short history of the Fund can be found under the History tab.
A short description of the board’s activities is given below.
Support
The purpose of the Stoop Fund, established in 1731, is to provide financial support to descendants who find themselves in difficult financial circumstances. In the 21st century the Fund still fulfils this objective. Today it is not only descendants applying for “support” who can request financial assistance; students can also apply for a study grant.
Connection
Today’s society bears no resemblance to that of 1731. Where the Stoop meeting and the Stoop celebration were once often the only way to see and speak with (distant) family members, the descendants of today have many more means of connection at their disposal. The board intends to use these means of connection where useful. Sending a periodic newsletter and giving descendants the opportunity to bring their business to the attention of family members are a few steps in that direction. Naturally, the board — in the form of commissioners and an administrator — keeps the traditional Stoop celebration and the obligatory meeting in honour. Explore the All is family menu to discover more initiatives.
History
Advancing technology is no reason to relegate the history of the descendants of the Stoop and de Veer family to oblivion. It is precisely history that connects us, the descendants, consciously or unconsciously. The board wishes to help preserve the family history by building a digital Library. Think of books written about or by the descendants, but also family stories passed down along the family line. For this, the board needs your active help!
