ToolBox was founded by Charles-Antoine Janssen, François de Borchgrave, Alexandre Lippens and Isabelle Adam.
Registered as a non-profit organisation under Belgian law in June 2003, it has grown to include more than 50 members (volunteering professionals) and services up to a dozen Belgian non-profits at a given time.
In 2002, a group of friends who had just returned to Belgium after studying or working abroad, notably in the UK and the US, got together to discuss how they could contribute to social projects efficiently. A couple had come across the notions of venture philanthropy, capacity building or know-how transfer. The idea of providing management support to non-profits by sharing know-how and skills was of particular interest to the group.
Preliminary research into the acceptance or understanding of these different notions in Belgium quickly revealed that there were few, if any, 'venture philanthropy' type initiatives underway in the country. There was, however, a demand for more hands-on help from a number of non-profits approached.
Following a first conclusive experience with a non-profit based in Charleroi, the group decided to found 'ToolBox'. The organisation was registered under Belgian law in June 2003. Rapidly the number of volunteering members increased and demand from other non-profits emerged.
In the course of 2004 ToolBox decided to partner with a similar outfit in Flanders, 'One Child One Dream', that offered capacity-building support to non-profits in the area of child welfare.
At the end of 2004 ToolBox received substantial financial support from the King Baudouin Foundation and the Bernheim Foundation to further develop the initial concept and gradually establish a methodology for wider distribution.
As of 2007, Cera and the Triodos Fund have become strategic partners for ToolBox as well.
In 2009, it was decided to expand to other countries. Seeing the need for such services, India was chosen as a place to start the next ToolBox operation. ToolBox India Foundation then started their operations in India