Last week, ASN Bank awarded the Minimaatje Foundation from The Hague a Golden Squirrel Award and a cash prize. Of the hundreds of enterprising individuals who registered for the green and social awards this year, Minimaatje won the prize in the group initiative category . Minimaatje offers veterinary care to people on a budget, ensuring not only happy animals but also happy owners.
“With the ASN Golden Squirrel Awards, we reward people who make their city or village greener and more social,” says Angela Eijlander, Chief Marketing & Sales Officer at ASN Bank and chair of the jury. “We believe in the power of small initiatives that contribute to a brighter future. With the award and cash prize, we put the winners in the spotlight and give them the opportunity to further develop their initiatives.”
Maximum animal care for less
Minimaatje believes that everyone should have the opportunity to properly care for their pet. Thanks to the volunteer efforts of veterinarians, pets receive the care they deserve, at a maximum of 30% of the usual price.
According to Minimaatje, this is in the best interest of both pets’ health and their owners. And the jury fully agrees. Lack of funding should never be a reason for pets to be unnecessarily ill or in pain for extended periods. The jury admires the care provided by the Minimaatje Foundation.
Initiator Bert van Toor and his team of volunteers accepted the award during a festive ceremony at the Naturalis Biodiversity Center in Leiden: “Fantastic, this is a huge boost for our foundation. With this award, we can help many animals.”
Winners of the ASN Golden Squirrel Awards 2025
Besides the Minimaatje award, prizes were also awarded in other categories. For example, Pharmacy of the Future won in the individual initiative category and received the most votes for the audience award. Mats from Kids FixForce took home the prize in the youth initiative category.
For more information about all the initiatives (in Dutch), visit vanafhier.nl/asn-gouden-eekhoorn .
About the ASN Golden Squirrel Awards
This year, ASN Bank organized the second edition of the ASN Golden Squirrel Awards to recognize small, sustainable, and social initiatives. Because every step toward a better world counts.
Prizes
Golden Squirrel Jury Prize in the individual initiative category: €2,500
Golden Squirrel Jury Prize in the group initiative category: €2,500
Golden Squirrel Jury Prize in the youth initiative category: €2,500
Golden Squirrel Audience Award: €2,500
The other finalists were surprised with €250 for their efforts and to further grow their initiative.
About ASN Bank
ASN Bank is an accessible and progressive bank with a focus on people, animals, and the environment. We contribute sustainably to financial solutions for our customers and to social issues in the Netherlands. We pay particular attention to sustainability, financial well-being, and comfortable housing.
Our services focus primarily on payments, savings, and mortgages – always with an eye for both customer interests and social impact. As a bank, we combine the convenience of secure mobile banking with the power of personalized advice. Thanks to our nationwide network of stores, we’re also physically close by when it matters most.
With this approach, ASN Bank occupies a distinctive position within the Dutch banking landscape. We now serve three million customers, making us the fourth-largest retail bank in the Netherlands.
