Philanthropy
Establish partnerships that reinforce our ESG strategy and help us achieve our commitments
3,750 collective hours of volunteering per year, starting in 2022
Focusing on our main ESG partnerships
Integrating smaller projects selected by our people
We look for partners whose values are aligned with our own, with complementary knowledge, skills, and resources, and with whom we can work together to amplify our impact and deliver on our commitments.
"At KPMG in Belgium, we recognize that our success is intertwined with the well-being of the communities we serve. It is not only our duty but our privilege to meaningfully contribute to the betterment of society. As part of the ongoing evolution of our Impact Plan, last year we launched our KPMG Foundation, bringing together all our philanthropic activities under one organization, so that we can be even more effective in delivering on our aims.
As we reflect on what we’ve achieved since then, it’s motivating to see how engaged our colleagues have been – whether volunteering to help with clean-up initiatives in partnership with Canal It Up, River Cleanup, and the Fondation Forêt des Soignes/Stichting Zoniënwoud; showing continued support for our longstanding partners at Kom Op Tegen Kanker, YouthStart, and MyMachine through fundraising activities; or providing hands-on support to projects that help raise awareness about poverty, disability, and well-being, such as Feestvarken, Escalpade, Boccia Belgium, Run for Parkinson, and Ferm’Eline.
Not only do these projects provide real benefit to society and the environment, they’re also a great way for colleagues to meet other people from different parts of our organization, further strengthening our internal KPMG community and helping to make KPMG an even better place to work. No matter whether someone has just joined KPMG, or is further along in their career with us, anyone can submit a volunteering project or partnership proposal to the KPMG Foundation team, and this empowers our people to support the projects and causes that they care about most."
Stefanie PauwelsPartner & Head of Markets, KPMG in Belgium
Giving back to our communities, #Together #ForBetter, is an essential part of life at KPMG and an integral part of our values, culture, and Impact Plan. We believe it is our responsibility to help and play an active part in our communities across Belgium. To further boost our efforts in this area, we are proud that we launched our very own KPMG Foundation in spring 2023.
The KPMG Foundation acts as a catalyst in the mobilization of KPMG and its people in giving back to our communities. More than providing an avenue for giving, the KPMG Foundation helps drive KPMG’s mission to be a socially responsible, civic-minded organization and promotes a culture in which our people thrive personally and professionally.
The KPMG Foundation will group together all our philanthropic activities in Belgium, including our:
main ESG partnerships, such as with Kom op Tegen Kanker, YouthStart, and MyMachine;
volunteering projects proposed by our people;
fundraising activities;
pro bono work; and
disaster relief responses.
It remains our vision to be the clear choice for our clients, our stakeholders, our people, and society at large, by remaining committed to our core strengths and values: quality, innovation, ethics, independence, and integrity.
Through our KPMG Foundation, we want to give our people the opportunity and time to make a real difference to the communities and charities they care about. By giving every person the opportunity to submit a volunteer work project, we aim to motivate everyone to get actively involved and make an impact. Because only #Together can we make a real difference and achieve a collective goal of 3,750 hours of volunteering per year. While we have not yet achieved our goal this year, we are proud that our people have already contributed 790 volunteering hours through the KPMG Foundation.
Not only is this a unique opportunity to truly make a difference, it’s also a great way to connect with others, gain a sense of purpose, develop new perspectives, and learn new skills!
Giving back to nature and our communities is an essential aspect of life at KPMG and integral to our values and culture. The forest serves as a strong symbol and demonstration of our long-term commitment to sustainability and investments in projects that align with Our Impact Plan. That’s why our KPMG Forest is more than just a one-off planting ceremony: it was important to us to acquire the domain, and to partner up with BOS+, a Flemish Forestry Association, for a long-term collaboration.
With our KPMG Forest, we will give 4,000 saplings a new home in Holsbeek. The site spans 1,6 hectares, equivalent to the size of three soccer fields, and was meticulously chosen for its central location and accessibility. BOS+ carefully selected a perfect mix of local tree species to reforest the plot and will help us to maintain our KPMG Forest in the coming years. In the future, the KPMG Forest will be an oasis for forest bathing, a dedicated place for everyone to enjoy the benefits of being in nature, and this for generations to come.
At a local level, reforestation helps to:
increase the biotope and biodiversity, creating more room for local fauna and flora to thrive;
enable rain and water to penetrate and increase groundwater levels to combat flooding; and
decrease noise pollution for people living in the area, with trees acting as noise buffers.
The trees we plant, nurture, and maintain will offset a small portion of our emissions, contributing towards our goal of becoming a net-zero emissions organization by 2030. But the KPMG Forest also serves as a physical reminder of our long-term commitment to being good stewards of our planet and having a positive impact on our community.
As part of our ongoing KPMG Foundation activities, on the weekend of 24 and 25 February 2024, we continued our commitment to environmental stewardship by bringing together our people from across Belgium, their families, and friends to plant our KPMG Forest together.
Relive our tree-planting weekend by clicking on the video below:
KPMG is honored to once again be a campaign sponsor of the 1,000km bike ride, the 100km run, and the Col Op for KOTK. Unfortunately, cancer has touched the lives of many, and we want to actively contribute to the fight against cancer and to cancer research. By leveraging our community and network, we are committed to raising awareness and funds for Kom op tegen Kanker.
Each year, our KPMG cycling and running teams actively participate in the different sport events dedicated to raising funds for cancer research. Several fundraising activities have been organized by our teams. Next to other initiatives, they organized a wine and champagne sale, a quiz against cancer, a padel tournament, and a regional breakfast. All these initiatives were a big success thanks to the enthusiastic support of our people and their families. Because #Together, as one KPMG Family, we strive to make a meaningful impact.
"Participating in the 1,000km for Kom op tegen Kanker was a great experience. The amazing support you feel amongst the participants and the enthusiastic cheers from the supporters along the road, creates a powerful synergy and makes you instantly forget the pain in your legs. It also makes you realize how important it still is to raise awareness and collect funds for cancer research. Contributing to this event, #Together with my colleagues, gave me a warm feeling, a sense of purpose. I’m very proud that KPMG actively supports Kom op tegen Kanker and cancer research."
Cedric Tassenon, Assistant Manager, KPMG in Belgium
As learning and development are important focus points in our Impact Plan, we will maintain a close collaboration with YouthStart to nurture the talents and entrepreneurial skills of youth and young adults. YouthStart, a non-profit organization, focuses on assisting young individuals facing challenges in entering the professional and social world.
The YouthStart program offers hands-on training and motivational coaching sessions, culminating in a certification ceremony. During this ceremony, young adults showcase their business cases, presenting concepts and financial overviews to a jury. As sponsors of YouthStart, we have the privilege of participating in this important moment by serving as jury members. This event holds immense significance for the young adults, as well as for the trainers and jury members, marking an exciting juncture in their journey.
"My journeyney with YouthStart has been genuinely life changing. It‘s been an incredible experience, especially for someone like me who strongly believes in the power of people and purpose. I‘ve had the privilege of connecting with and guiding incredibly talented individuals who are hungry to learn and grow. Witnessing their progress as they pursue their certifications has been nothing short of inspiring. These moments with YouthStart have not only enriched my professional life but have also solidified my belief in the importance of supporting organizations like them. At KPMG, we are committed to fostering a world where every individual is recognized for their unique potential rather than simply being viewed as resources. Supporting organizations like YouthStart isn‘t just about fulfilling our corporate responsibilities, it‘s about nurturing the potential of young talent. It serves as a powerful reminder that, as a company, we can truly make a difference while contributing to a world where fulfilling careers and personal growth are the standard. This journey has re-affirmed my belief that positive change is possible when we dream of a better future for ourselves and those around us. They dared to dream and we were there to support them. I‘m grateful to KPMG for giving me the opportunity to be a part of this incredible journey of supporting others on their path to success."
Filipe Machado,Senior Officer Workforce Development, KPMG in Belgium
When dreams are set free and connections between people and generations are made, the possibilities are endless. And that‘s exactly what MyMachine stands for and why we are so proud to be part of this partnership.
The core of MyMachine, a non-profit organization, lies in promoting cooperation and interaction across all three educational levels. The entire process revolves around co-creation and collaboration, with students from different educational stages working together as equals throughout the school year to bring „dream machines" to life. This collaborative effort includes generational involvement in ideation, co-creation, conception, and prototype development.
As KPMG volunteers, we contribute our professional skills to both the organization and the young participants involved in diverse projects. Our people actively engage in the ideation and co-creation processes, mirroring the approach taken by children and students as they transform ideas into dream machines within specified time and budget constraints.
Ensuring universal access to technology is a crucial aspect of fostering equal opportunities in today‘s digital age. Recognizing this importance, we have taken a proactive step towards bridging the digital divide by donating 300 laptops to various organizations, including YouthStart and Planet Hope. By providing these technological resources, we aim to empower individuals, particularly those associated with these organizations, with the tools they need to thrive in an increasingly digital world.
Our commitment to making technology accessible for everyone aligns with a broader vision of creating a more inclusive and connected society. Through these donations, we aspire to contribute to the educational and professional growth of individuals, unlocking new possibilities and pathways to success. This initiative reflects our belief in leveraging technology as a force for positive change, breaking down barriers and opening doors for individuals to reach their full potential.
In the wake of disasters around the world, whether from wars or natural disasters, vulnerable populations are disproportionately at risk. As a global organization, these issues impact us all. When a crisis hits, we have a responsibility to help where we can.
Last year, the different KPMG member firms and colleagues around the world, including KPMG in Belgium, have mobilized to provide critical aid for supporting the disaster response in Morocco, Libya, and Turkey. All countries combined donated for the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) and other participating charities.
"On Monday 6 February 2023, very early in the morning, my mum called us to ask about my husband‘s family (who lived in Elbistan, at the heart of the earthquake in Turkey). We were confused because we were half-awake and didn‘t know what had just happened. When we woke up, we discovered that the country had been hit by earthquakes of up to 7.8 magnitude. After a day of waiting, we finally heard from the family who had left their house and spent the night outside, in the cars... Most of the houses in the town had collapsed and they had lost everything, everything that had been painstakingly built up over the years. Fortunately, there were no deaths in the family. But we could not remain indifferent to the 46,000 other deaths in our country. Today, the families have left the town of Elbistan. The grandparents stay in the village where the houses are stronger. And the rest of the family have emigrated to Turkey‘s big cities to rebuild their future. It was a difficult time, because we felt powerless. The only things we could do to help in any small way and alleviate the suffering of the victims were to make donations and inform people about the seriousness of the situation (because with a disaster of this scale, it‘s impossible for the emergency services to be on all fronts)."
Nil Önaçan,Marketing Officer, KPMG in Belgium
At KPMG, we prioritize the well-being and collective impact of our community, which is why we offer our people the opportunity to participate in blood donation drives, in collaboration with the Red Cross. With a commitment to promoting a culture of giving and compassion, we have organized various blood donation moments within our KPMG offices. We understand the critical importance of donating blood as it directly contributes to saving lives. The process is simple, safe, and efficient, allowing our people to make a substantial impact without consuming much of their time. By fostering a culture of blood donation, we empower our team to be active contributors to the broader community, embodying our belief that small actions can lead to significant and positive outcomes for those in need.
Every year, at KPMG, we organize a significant toy collection drive for the Foodbank of Brussels to ensure that Saint Nicholas Day becomes a special moment for every child. As part of this initiative, our people enthusiastically donated books and toys for children from 2.5 to 15 years old.
Recognizing the importance of spreading happiness beyond our primary collection efforts, we extend our support to Feestvarken vzw by donating toys.
Feestvarken vzw is a non-profit organization that focuses on bringing joy and celebration to children who face challenging circumstances. Their primary mission is to ensure that every child, regardless of their background or situation, experiences the magic and happiness of celebrating their birthday.
Through these combined efforts, we strive to create moments of delight and warmth for underprivileged children, making a positive impact on their lives during these festive moments.
Recognizing the increasing importance of digital literacy and internet safety, our Digital Risk Management team actively engages helping children in Belgium to become more cyber smart. In 2022, professionals from our team dedicated their time to educate 500 children during interactive sessions held in October and November. The response was overwhelmingly positive, with not only the children expressing enthusiasm but also the teachers gaining valuable insights into the safe use of personal data, social media, cyberbullying, online gaming, and mobile phones. Our commitment to fostering cyber awareness reflects our dedication to creating a safer digital environment for all generations.
"Engaging in KPMG’s cybersecurity awareness sessions at children‘s schools has been a personally enriching project. The genuine curiosity and receptiveness of the children made each session enjoyable and witnessing their understanding of online safety grow was incredibly rewarding. Beyond personal fulfillment, the value of the sessions was felt by both the children and KPMG as a whole. Collaborating with team members on this initiative gave us a sense of making an impact together, as we shared the common goal of building a safer digital community. For the children, the sessions provided them with the essential skills for navigating the online world responsibly. Being part of this initiative really made an impact. Overall, I am grateful for the opportunity provided by KPMG to contribute to the community through volunteering work that aligns with my values and allows me to play a part in shaping a secure digital future for the next generation."
Rafaël De Smet,Advisor, KPMG in Belgium
