History of the Fund InBev-Baillet Latour

Support Belgian excellence on an international scale

Creation of the Fund The InBev-Baillet Latour Fund was born out of the desire of one man, Alfred de Baillet Latour. In the twilight of his life, in the mid-seventies, the shareholder and administrator of the Artois Breweries, started thinking about his succession: having no direct heir, he is also the last representative of the prestigious Baillet Latour family. A true philanthrophist, he decides to bequeath his brewery shares to a foundation still to be created. In a simple letter dated February 14, 1974, he unveils his plans to Mr. Raymond Boon, the then Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Artois Breweries: One month later, in April 1974, the foundation was created, but it was not until 1979 that it really took off with the award of the first Health Prize. Sadly, Alfred de Baillet Latour was to witness only one of the Foundation's initiatives, as he died in 1980. Evolution and criteria of the Fund The Foundation has come a long way in the last thirty years. The first in a long series of initiatives, the biennial award of the Health Prize would mark the first two decades of its history. Initially the Foundation's only activity, over the years it has gained an international reputation. The year 1999 marks an important turning point. The planned initial public offering of the brewery and the more dynamic and dividend generous policy associated with it, leads the Foundation to consider other projects. This paves the way for new initiatives in the fields of research training, preservation of the heritage in all its forms, and the Olympic spirit. The major concern resides primarily in the well-being of humanity: the purpose is to reward or promote human achievements, the prime criterion being "the challenge of doing what others deem impossible". Finally, while all supported projects are clearly internationally oriented - philanthropy is by nature universal - the final parameter taken into account by the Fund reflects a certain 'belgitude': the projects are first of all Belgian initiatives aimed at attracting international recognition rapidly, if not immediately. Established progressively, today these different criteria are the cornerstones of a clear strategy that ensures sustained consistency in the choices made by the Foundation. As such, one can at present easily distinguish four major sectors on which the InBev-Baillet Latour focuses its initiatives: clinical research, training, heritage, and the Olympic spirit.

"The association shall financially reward and encourage accomplishments of high human value in the social, cultural, scientific, artistic, technical, sporting, educational or philanthropic fields, in the form of prizes, scholarships, trips, grants, or any other form of recognition, and have no political, trade union, philosophical or religious affiliations."

Count Alfred de Baillet Latour and Queen Fabiola in 1979