GINI Impact Foundation
Cultural Remembrance & Regenerative Futures
GINI Impact Foundation is the nonprofit part of GINI. Through cultural exchange, roots journeys and community storytelling, the foundation supports initiatives that help people reconnect with culture, heritage and community while contributing to stronger local futures.
The impact-driven part of GINI
About GINI Impact Foundation
GINI Impact Foundation was created to support the long-term social and cultural mission behind GINI.
The foundation focuses on cultural connection, storytelling, roots reconnection and community-driven initiatives that contribute to more regenerative and inclusive futures.
Rather than seeing travel only as tourism, the foundation believes travel can also become a way for people to reconnect with heritage, identity, history and community. Through programmes, partnerships and cultural exchange, the foundation creates space for dialogue, empowerment and meaningful connection across cultures and generations.
The foundation works alongside other initiatives connected to GINI, including GINI.travel, while focusing specifically on nonprofit impact, accessibility and community support.
Where we create impact
Our focus areas
Cultural empowerment & exchange
Connection, growth & opportunity
Reconnecting with roots
Roots journeys & community connection
Current projects
Projects & activities
How we approach impact
Our impact philosophy
GINI Impact Foundation believes meaningful impact grows through long-term relationships, reciprocity and community-rooted collaboration.
The foundation aims to contribute to a future where travel, storytelling and cultural exchange strengthen communities, cultural remembrance and fair participation rather than reinforcing extractive systems.
Rather than focusing only on visibility or short-term projects, the foundation prioritises meaningful exchange, long-term partnerships and initiatives that create value for both people and communities.
Through roots reconnection, cultural empowerment and locally rooted collaborations, the foundation works toward more regenerative and equitable futures connected to culture, identity and community.
Transparency & stewardship
Our people
GINI Impact Foundation operates with a light and transparent governance structure focused on mission alignment, financial responsibility and long-term impact.
The board supports the strategic direction of the foundation while safeguarding the mission, values and integrity of the organisation.
Virginia Scheele
Chair & Founder
Founder of GINI and chair of GINI Impact Foundation. Virginia works at the intersection of cultural remembrance, community impact and regenerative travel, with a strong focus on storytelling, roots reconnection and creating more equitable futures connected to travel and culture.
Merel Beijer
Treasurer
Merel is treasurer of GINI Impact Foundation and works as a behavioural scientist within youth care. With her bicultural background and people-centred perspective, she brings grounded reflection, social insight and financial oversight to the foundation.
Whitney Klapwijk
Secretary
Whitney is secretary of GINI Impact Foundation and works as a floor manager within hospitality. Alongside her organisational role, she is building her own creative platform through Studio by Whitney as an emerging content creator focused on storytelling and visual expression.
Looking toward the future
Building regenerative futures together
The long-term vision of GINI Impact Foundation is to contribute to a world where cultural remembrance, community empowerment and regenerative collaboration become central within travel, storytelling and international exchange.
By connecting people, communities and initiatives across cultures and generations, the foundation aims to support ecosystems where heritage, local ownership, meaningful exchange and shared prosperity can thrive together.
Stay connected
Join the community
Accountability & reporting
Policy & documentation
GINI Impact Foundation is committed to transparency, responsible governance and long-term stewardship.
Here you can read important documents connected to the foundation, including our statutes and policy plan.
Current documentation
As GINI Impact Foundation has only recently been established, broader reporting and impact reflections will gradually be added over time. The foundation aims to start sharing annual reporting and impact updates by the end of 2026.
Two interconnected focus areas
What the foundation stands for
Cultural empowerment & exchange
Creating spaces for storytelling, leadership, entrepreneurship, dialogue and meaningful cultural exchange between communities and changemakers.
Reconnecting with roots
Supporting roots journeys and community partnerships that strengthen cultural reconnection, local collaboration and more regenerative futures.