Greg Shapiro Hosts Dutch-American Fulbright Fundraiser for Netherland-America Foundation (June, 2025)
6 July, 2026
These days, it’s hard convincing European people to open their wallets for anything American. But it’s never been more important.
When the Netherland-America Foundation needs a host for their gala fundraiser, they’ve been known to call me – a man who bills himself as “The American Netherlander.” I grew up in America first, and I moved to the Netherlands second.
The NAF is a wonderful charity that helps Dutch & American cultural exchange – in particular they help exchange students subsidize their higher education. Me, I’ve never earned a Fulbright scholarship. But I’m proud to day I’ve helped raise money for Fulbright scholars.
Given the current political climate between the US and Europe, I am here to argue that cultural and educational exchange is now extra important. Dutch grad students are going to the US to study things like entrepreneurship. US grad students are coming to the Netherlands to research Dutch Water Management. Please, America – manage your water!
I’ve hosted several NAF fundraisers, and in 2025 the location was the best yet: Hotel The Grand in Amsterdam. It’s a proper theater. And it’s a wedding location.
In fact, it was THE wedding location for Queen Beatrix. So you’d think that enough people would come… but in 2025 it was record low.
Good news: they’re using the same location for this year’s event. Go!
https://thenaf.org/events/naf-nl-dinner/
Shapiro Hosts NAF Gala Dinners in 2019, 2024, 2025
For years, New York had the only gala fundraiser. But in 2019 the NAF started organizing galas in the Netherlands. I hosted the first one, in Leiden at the Pieterskerk (where the Pilgrims came from). There were Dutch royals in attendance. It was all very formal. There were flags and anthems and honor guards. But the main event was the fundraising. And we set a new record! (Mostly because it was the first one.)
In 2024, I was asked to host the NAF gala again. This time the location was on Amsterdam Dam Square at ‘De Industrieele Grote Club.’ More here:
Greg Shapiro hosts NAF gala 2024
https://gregshapiro.nl/blog/shapiro-hosts-naf-gala/
+ see Greg Shapiro Event Host playlist
https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLccmkVw5sINoGFyNElYryM67Mh7EJYrs0&si=LV4kPml24_G1SeIm