How it began
Room for Change was born in March 2021, then still called GiveMe5, after a meeting between our founder Marnix Geus and a man named Paul, living on the street.
From one encounter to a movement
- March 2021
A meeting on the street
Founder Marnix Geus meets Paul, who is living on the street. The encounter is later featured in an episode of KRO-NCRV Kruispunt. Marnix posts a call on LinkedIn, asking people to chip in for a week of hotel nights so Paul does not have to sleep in the cold.
- A weekend later
€30,000, and a circle of support
The message goes viral. Within a weekend, €30,000 is raised. Paul’s debts are paid off, and a group of people forms around him, supporting his way back to a home and the rebuilding of his life. But meanwhile, something else takes shape.
- 2021
A hotel opens its doors
Hotel Kimpton De Witt, inspired by Marnix, takes in more than 20 people during a severe frost. General Manager Jos van Hunen and Marnix start talking about a structural collaboration. Jos makes five rooms structurally available, and we begin asking other hotels to do the same.
- 2022
Winner of the Omarmprijs
We win the Omarmprijs in the category “Everyone joins in”, for helping people take part in society again through the collaboration between hospitality and care.
- April 2023
100 people, and a campaign
Together with local care partners, the programme has supported 100 people. To mark the milestone and break the stigma, we launch the “Can you tell who?” campaign with Museum of Humanity.
- 2023
Winner of the SDG Award NL
The jury of the SDG Award NL recognises us for making an often invisible problem visible, and solvable.
- April 2024
GiveMe5 becomes Room for Change
The programme has grown enormously and takes its new name: Room for Change. The mission stays exactly the same.
- May 2025
Room for Change becomes an ANBI foundation
Until then, Room for Change was a programme of The Present. A major contribution from Contribute Foundation made it possible for Room for Change to stand on its own feet.
- Today
Thirty hotels, and counting
Since the start, 30 hotels have taken part and we have helped 250 people. We are active in Amsterdam, The Hague, Rotterdam, Den Bosch and Arnhem.
Towards the ten largest cities, and beyond
Our ambition is to keep growing towards the ten largest cities in the country. And we hope that one day, Room for Change can serve as a pilot for other countries. But we cannot do it alone. If you know someone who owns or runs a hotel, get in touch.
Be part of the next chapter
Every hotel room, every donation, every introduction writes the next page of this story.