A partnership that came naturally
When Gert Jan van ’t Land was looking for an instructor for a fundraising course at SBO around 2014–2015, he came across Leona and Marion from 2MakeItHappen. That first meeting marked the beginning of a partnership that has now lasted nearly ten years.
“They immediately struck the right tone: practical, clear, and results-oriented. And you don’t see that very often.”
Complex topics, explained simply
In the five-day training courses coordinated by Gert Jan, 2MakeItHappen handles the fundraising component. The feedback from participants is consistently positive, and according to him, that’s no coincidence.
“They make complex topics accessible. Participants immediately recognize their own work situations in the examples. After listening for an hour, they think: ‘I can put this into practice tomorrow.’”
He sees that ability to make fundraising practical as their greatest strength. No theoretical visions, but steps that work in the real-world context of organizations.
Perseverance as a distinguishing trait
According to Gert Jan, many organizations don’t so much have a knowledge problem as a time problem.
“Fundraising isn’t magic. It requires curiosity, asking the right questions, reaching out to donors, and understanding what they really want. 2MakeItHappen takes the time to do that. That’s what makes the difference.”
Working Together to Build Professionalism
Although he now works in the public sector, Gert Jan remains involved in the training programs. Recently, Irsa observed the sessions to help further develop the training program.
“The world is changing. People learn differently, have less time, and want less theory and more hands-on experience. That calls for a different approach to training. Together, we’ll find the right methods to achieve that.”
The shared goal: a training program that aligns with how professionals work and learn today.
A future full of opportunities
Gert Jan sees a lot of potential in the field and in the role that 2MakeItHappen plays within it.
“I hope we can connect funds and project initiators more quickly, more playfully, and more naturally. And that we continue to do so with the same energy we have now.”
Three words that say it all
When asked how he would describe 2MakeItHappen, Gert Jan doesn’t have to think twice:
Close – Together – Success
Words that perfectly capture why our collaboration has remained so natural to this day.
