Stichting Gijselaar-Hintzenfonds is named after two wealthy women, Theodora Clementine de Gijselaar and Johanna Dorina Hintzen. They bundled heir assets in a foundation named the Lichtbeeldeninstituut in 1935, which aimed 'to promote community development. The first president was prof. Dr J.Q. Regteren Altena, then director of the Art History Institute of the University of Amsterdam. From this foundation, the current fund has emerged.