Objectives, Activities and Means
 

The Willem Kolff Foundation was established in Kampen, The Netherlands, on May 9, 2003. It was in the same city of Kampen that Dr. Willem Kolff made history during World War Two when saving the life of a patient with an artificial kidney. 
The Willem Kolff Foundation is located in Kampen, The Netherlands.   


Objectives

The main objectives of the Willem Kolff Foundation are to cherish and to keep alive the memory of Dr. Willem Kolff (1911-2009), the inventor of the artificial kidney; (ii) to preserve and to promote the material and immaterial heritage of Dr. Willem Kolff. 

 

Secondary objectives or activities 

Important secondary objectives and activities:

  1. Encouraging and supporting (i) innovative research in the area of artificial organs and (ii) actively maintaining relations with relevant organizations and/or sister organizations in the Netherlands;
  2. Preserving and making accessible to the general public of the material heritage of Dr. Kolff in the Netherlands; 
  3. Encouraging and supporting (i) innovative research in the area of artificial organs and (ii) actively maintaining relations with relevant organizations and/or sister organizations in North America and Japan;
  4. Encouraging and supporting (i) innovative research in the area of artificial organs and (ii) actively maintaining relations with relevant organizations and/or sister organizations in Africa and Asia;  


Instruments

Important ‘instruments’ to attain the WKF goals are: 

  • Kolff Prizes (Kolff Prize, Van Noordwijk Stipend, Maria ter Welle Prize) and other awards and distinctions 
  • Cooperation agreements 
  • Education 
  • Talks, lectures, presentations 
  • Public performances
  • Expositions
  • Social media
  • Website
     

Means

  • The WKS financial means include subsidies, donations, legacies, inheritances and all other types and forms of revenues (Article 2 lid 4, Articles of Association WKS/WKF).