The Vermeer Charitable Foundation (VCF) was established in the mid-1950s out of a deep feeling of responsibility to God for the gifts He had given Vermeer Manufacturing Company and the Vermeer family. One of the first areas of charitable giving that the VCF was involved with was the Pella Community Hospital. With a goal of $450,000.00 for the hospital, Gary Vermeer and the Foundation decided to set out a $30,000.00 gift to which other companies in the area and the rest of the community responded, and the goal was met. Ever since then, VCF has helped provide for improvements on what is now called Pella Regional Health Center.
With great forethought, it was then decided that the patent for the round baler would go into the Foundation. This helped grow funds for community wide projects throughout the years such as the Pella Indoor Swimming Pool, renovation of the Pella Opera House, the Central College Science Center, the Pella Public Library, and the new Pella Christian High School facility. VCF has grown to support communities in which Vermeer Corporation employees live as well as supporting seminaries and colleges affiliated with the Christian Reformed and Reformed churches and mission work and environmental protection projects around the world.
VCF continues to be guided by Vermeer Corporation’s 4-P Philosophy of principles, people, products and profit. This philosophy is built on the strong foundation of Biblical principles such as striving for excellence, honesty, stewardship of resources and honoring the Golden Rule, “Do for others what you want them to do for you.” Vermeer Corporation and VCF seek to be a blessing to those in need and often come away feeling very blessed as well whether that be through disaster relief projects after floods, tornados, or hurricanes have devastated a community or helping employee’s children meet their educational goals through the Vermeer Employee Scholarship Program which began in 1983.
As third generation Vermeer family members join the VCF Board of Directors, the goal remains the same – for the Foundation to come together with Vermeer Corporation to help our world work.
"But since you excel in everything - in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in complete earnestness and in the love we have kindled in you - see that you also excel in this grace of giving." – 2 Corinthians 8:7