The DN Capital Foundation
Our Causes
Nenad Marovac, co-founder, and partner at DN Capital, shares his perspective on funding underprivileged children’s education:
Education has been the defining force for progress and development in my family. My father was raised amidst the turmoil of war-torn Croatia. He began his formal education at a mere three years old, allowing his mother to work and support the family. It was in these classrooms that he unearthed a passion for mathematics and physics. This passion propelled him to a PhD at Imperial College London, and ultimately, a professorship in computer science during the nascent years of the Internet. He often joked with pride that he and his colleagues created the Internet.
The early exposure to education, despite the challenging circumstances, not only changed my father’s life but also planted a seed of lifelong learning that I inherited. This fuelled my own educational journey and ultimately, my commitment to giving back through this foundation. As my father’s trajectory illustrates, education can be a powerful force for personal transformation, even in the most difficult circumstances.
For me, education was more than just a catalyst; it was a rocket ship. It launched me from undergraduate studies in finance to an MBA at Harvard Business School, where I ultimately met my business partner, Steve Schlenker. Education continues to fuel my lifelong quest for knowledge across diverse subjects. Yet, I am painfully aware that this transformative opportunity is not universally available to children.
This is why Steve and I, alongside the entire DN Capital team, established our Foundation. Our mission is simple: to empower talented children, regardless of their background, with the gift of education. We believe that by nurturing these young minds, we are investing in future leaders who will create jobs, foster development, and uplift their communities.
Just as education empowered my father and I, we believe it has the potential to empower countless others and create a ripple effect of positive change. By supporting children today, we empower them to become the changemakers of tomorrow, impacting countless lives in a virtuous cycle. This is the fire that ignites our passion for this cause. Education is not just a gateway to personal success; it is the key to unlocking a brighter future for all.
Our Causes
DN Capital co-founder and partner Steve Schlenker on funding support for mental health:
We live in a world with multiple pressures placed on individuals from an earlier and earlier age. This is not a new thing – growing up, one of my close family members tried committing suicide. But it seems like stress on our youth is getting worse, not better, something of which I became painfully aware when the star athlete at my daughter’s college, despite everything going for him, took his life in his junior year. And it is not difficult to see some of the causes particularly on our youth: the ability for social media to turn into megaphones for calling out character differences; increased isolation and loneliness; pressure for achievement markers as a requirement for academic advancement; disintegration of the family and similar support structures, etc. When a young person has a solid mental health foundation, everything else, from physical health to business judgment to empathy for others, becomes possible. Those of us fortunate enough to be in privileged positions have an obligation to help our youth achieve the right mental framework for similar success.
Our Mission
To make charitable donations in two areas:
Support the education of talented children with underprivileged backgrounds
Supporting people with
mental health issues
About Us
The DN Foundation was set up by DN founding partners, Nenad Marovac (right) and Steve Schlenker (left), both of whom already have a long-standing history of supporting the following charities:
- The Kay Mason Foundation, KMF selects motivated and talented students, covering their education costs at top government schools in the Western Cape.
- The Baton, aims to raise awareness of the challenges faced by service members and their families, advocating for the support they deserve.
- Hilinski’s Hope, is a non-profit organization formed to promote awareness and education of mental health and wellness for student athletes.
Let's Make A Difference Together
Mental Health Resources
Does your organization provide resources and aid to mental health sufferers? Apply to be supported by The DN Capital Foundation to expand your impact.
Children’s Education
If your organization gives talented yet underprivileged children an education they deserve – apply to be supported by The DN Capital Foundation.
