A GUIDE TO COMMUNITY FOUNDATIONS IN ITALY

c/o Association of German Foundations | Mauerstrasse 93 | 10117 Berlin | Germany [email protected] | www.communityfoundations.eu Imprint

Bibliographic information of the German National Library (DNB):

This publication is listed in the German National Bibliography of the German National Library. Detailed bibliographic data is available on the Internet at http://dnb.d-nb.de.

Publisher: Bundesverband Deutscher Stiftungen e.V. (Association of German Foundations) Mauerstrasse 93 | 10117 Berlin | Germany Telephone +49 (0)30 897 947-0 | Fax -11 www.stiftungen.org/verlag [email protected] © Bundesverband Deutscher Stiftungen e.V., Berlin 2018

Authors: Carola Carazzone, Giorgio Righetti, Marta Petenzi, Gaetano Giunta, Vittoria Burton, Dimitri Buracco Ghion, Daniele Pietro Giudici, Stefania Mancini, Anna Omodei, Filippo Petrolati, Carlo Borgomeo, Pietro Ferrari Bravo, Gabriele Sepio, Felice Scalvini

Project management: Anja Böllhoff, European Community Foundation Initiative

Editors: Anja Böllhoff, Julia Szanton, Carola Carrazone

Translation and copy-editing: Thomas Thornton

Design: Nina Reeber-Laqua, reeber design, Kronberg

Photo and illustration credits: Unless otherwise noted, the rights to the photos are owned by the respective community foundations or Assifero.

Printed by: LASERLINE DRUCKZENTRUM BERLIN KG

ISBN 978-3-941368-92-7

2 Dear community foundation members,

It is an honour for Assifero to present this guide to community foundations in Italy. The community philanthropy movement is growing rapidly all over the world. In Italy, the establishment of community foundations began in 1999 with foundations in Lecco and Como. There are now 37 registered Italian community foundations (based on the atlas of the Global Fund for Community Foundations). More than 30 of them are fully operational and at least two new ones are in the process of being established. Different in terms of origin, size, vision, methodology and operations, and deeply rooted in the fabric of a given community, Italian community foundations represent different forms of community philanthropy. But they are always platforms that provide a bridge between local institutions and third-sector organizations in order to deal, at the local level, with the complex, social, economic and cultural challenges that characterize today’s world.

Though still little known by the general public or fully recognized as strategic partners for human and sustainable development, community foundations today are key stakeholders in Italian institutional philanthropy.

Assifero, as the national association of all ‘foundations of non-banking origin’ and philan- thropic institutions, has always devoted a great deal of attention to community foundations, promoting their interaction, information and knowledge exchange, trusting, partnership- based relationships and the development of individual and collective capacity.

In collaboration with ECFI, it has promoted this publication in order to increase the visibility and strengthen the national network of community philanthropy organizations. In collaboration with Acri, the Association of Italian Banking Foundations and Savings Banks, Assifero also recently organized the first Italian conference on community foundations. Held on 24 November 2017 in a venue of the Italian Senate in Rome, the conference examined the current major social relevance of community foundations in Italy.

The English version of this publication, which was published in Italian with the financial support of the Compagnia di San Paolo, appears as part of a series of European country guides supported by ECFI.

This publication is an example of the participation and engagement of many key actors and stakeholders who contribute their time and commitment to expanding and strengthening the community philanthropy movement in Italy. This work would have been impossible without multiple hands, contributions and testimonies of many different authors and of ECFI, for which we extend our sincere thanks.

For organizations which, due to their local beneficiaries, local donors, local assets, local social capital and local staff, often function in autarchic isolation, this guide represents both the result of an important process of sharing and promotion and the beginning of a more informed, connected and effective ecosystem at a national level.

3 To borrow a metaphor used by a Canadian colleague, the day Assifero stops being a music school with exceptional instrumentalists scattered around Italy and becomes a high-level orchestra able to contribute to a common vision and agenda and to the construction of a philanthropic ecosystem that is effective in addressing the great social, cultural and economic challenges today’s world faces, Assifero’s mission will be achieved.

Contributing to this process, even in a small way, is already a privilege for Assifero and for each of us.

With kind regards,

Carola Carazzone Secretary General, Assifero

4 Contents

WHAT IS A COMMUNITY FOUNDATION? REFLECTIONS FROM THE ITALIAN CONTEXT BY CAROLA CARAZZONE, GIORGIO RIGHETTI, MARTA PETENZI, GAETANO GIUNTA, VITTORIA BURTON, DIMITRI BURACCO GHION, DANIELE PIETRO GIUDICI AND STEFANIA MANCINI ..... 6

HISTORY OF THE COMMUNITY FOUNDATION MOVEMENT IN ITALY THE 20”YEAR”OLD JOURNEY OF COMMUNITY FOUNDATIONS IN ITALY BY ANNA OMODEI, ASSIFERO ...... 16

COMMUNITY FOUNDATIONS SUPPORTED BY THE FONDAZIONE CARIPLO BY FILIPPO PETROLATI, FONDAZIONE CARIPLO...... 18

BIRTH AND EVOLUTION OF COMMUNITY FOUNDATIONS IN SOUTHERN ITALY BY CARLO BORGOMEO, FONDAZIONE CON IL SUD ...... 21

LEGAL & FISCAL CONTEXT BY PIETRO FERRARI BRAVO AND GABRIELE SEPIO ...... 23

FACTS & FIGURES DATA ANALYSIS BY ANNA OMODEI ...... 28

STORIES FROM ITALIAN COMMUNITY PHILANTHROPY...... 36

CONCLUSIONS NEW INSTITUTIONS FOR THE COMMUNITIES OF THE FUTURE ...... 45 BY FELICE SCALVINI

FURTHER INFORMATION PROFILE OF ASSIFERO ...... 47

APPENDIX, LIST OF COMMUNITY FOUNDATIONS IN ITALY ...... 49

ABOUT ECFI ...... 53

5 WHAT IS A COMMUNITY FOUNDATION?

WHAT IS A COMMUNITY FOUNDATION? Reflections from the Italian context

Introduction there is no single paradigm, no ‘one size fits Carola Carazzone, Assifero all’. This pluralism is a richness.

The modern fruit of a millenia-long tradition Community foundations or community of giving and solidarity in communities all philanthropy organizations (the term we over the world, community foundations were prefer in order to underline the pluralism created in the USA in the early 20th century in that characterizes this sector) are local order to separate the management of funds – local people, local assets, local donors, in trusts from the uses of the income produced local agencies, local capacities, local trust. by the trusts. The first community foundations The community may be as small as a in the USA drew upon permanently endowed neighbourhood, as broad as a region or funds established by wealthy people as a even national. It may refer to a geographical way to ‘give back’ to their community after territory or be a fluid term that is applied to a their death. specific group of the population (e.g. women).

The original American model of community Although most community philanthropy foundations was the result of their ‘variance organizations have endowments, their power’, which allows them to make use size can vary from the nine-billion-dollar of income generated by an endowment endowment of the Silicon Valley Community according to the needs of the community Foundation to no perpetual endowment, but even if these diverge from the purpose with different kinds of assets. Having said stipulated in the donor’s will. The board of a this, community philanthropy organizations community foundation may decide how to do have certain common and distinctive spend its money without having to ask the features that help us to define the field in an court’s permission every time, something that inclusive and dynamic way. is required of an ordinary private foundation without a living donor. » They are locally owned and locally This model of a community foundation managed and are independent, multi- based on fund management, endowment stakeholder organizations that are not growth, the redistribution of revenues to the owned by any one person or entity. community in the form of grants and on raising Established to last, they are able to take additional funds for immediate uses is just one a long-term view, building social capital, of the many possible models of community trust, assets and capacities in the foundations and community philanthropy. community, with the community and for the community. The number of community foundations has increased 75% in the last 25 years and they are different in origin, background Some further reflections on the state and and mission. Community philanthropy is by future of community foundations in Italy are nature a highly context-specific field. Thus, presented in the next pages.

6 REFLECTIONS FROM THE ITALIAN CONTEXT

Community as capital there may be differently organized models, Giorgio Righetti, Acri all of which are legitimate and work to achieve the foundation’s mission. Italian community foundations have adopted diverse models, which they have Nonetheless, in our view, a foundation adapted to suit the local contexts of the that does not draw out the intangible communities they serve and the vision of assets within the community through the institutions that contributed to their listening, participating, engagement and establishment. This diversity of models has activation risks becoming one of the many motivated a debate – at times a bit sterile – development agencies that merit attention on the ‘ideal’ type of community foundation but is unable to make a difference. This is and the heterodoxy of some foundation because a community foundation’s true models, to the point of arriving at ‘purist’ capital is the community. declarations that, paradoxically, contradict the concept of community foundations, which is by nature inclusive. Philanthropic brokers Marta Petenzi, Fondazione della Comunità di In our view, this discussion originates Monza e Brianza Onlus in different perceptions of priorities or causalities embodied in the term Donation and protagonism: these are ‘community foundation’. If emphasis is keywords that have characterized the placed on ’foundation’, that is to say, on development of community foundations in the juridical nature of the subject and its Northern Italy from the start. Community distinctive characteristics, the qualifying foundations were born and promoted elements that prevail will be those related to by the Cariplo Foundation, a foundation its economic assets. If, however, emphasis is of banking origin that had the idea and placed on ‘community’, then the distinctive foresight to introduce and adapt an characteristics will be more linked to a set innovative model from the US to an Italian of less tangible elements that are relational, context. values-based and involving the generation of trust. In the former case, a community As with all processes, the focus of attention foundation is seen as a ‘philanthropic and priorities evolve and develop over time. intermediary’, an organization stimulating A key principle nevertheless remains: the the generosity of the community in order community foundation is an ‘intermediary to collect economic resources through of solidarity as well as a philanthropic fundraising activities and then distributing broker’. them (generally through a call for proposals) across the territory. A community foundation is capable of gathering resources, creating bridges Depending on the mission and role that the between different actors with the goal community foundation envisions for itself, of caring for the community and passing

777 REFLECTIONS FROM THE ITALIAN CONTEXT

on an endowment to future generations, In this sense, one must avoid a logic that whether in financial form or in terms of separates grantmaking from fundraising relationships, that help create a good and distinguishes donors from beneficiaries. quality of life locally. The foundation Instead, a community foundation is a subject promotes alliances between donors and that can permit anyone to contribute larger non-profit organizations to maximize the or smaller resources to the well-being of impact and results of actions undertaken their community. within the community. From this perspective, a diversification A community foundation is an asset that of the tools offered by a community belongs to the community, offering anyone foundation becomes important. Tools that – including individual citizens, companies, the community foundation can provide to informal groups and institutions – the donors include: opportunity to to be philanthropic and • bequests, the result of a long-term do good together. Moreover, through investment in the territory; a community foundation, anyone can • designated funds for those with larger contribute to the territory in which s/he was resources who wish to create a tool that born, has lived or moved to. In this way, is committed to a specific cause for an donors help those closest to them and are extended period, to the memory of a able to see the impact of their giving. person or a specific territory; • unrestricted funds and funds dedicated The philanthropic broker role may be to a specific programme or cause (often implemented from different positions shared among several subjects); and involve different approaches to a • support to individual organizations. community’s life. Even in Italy, a relatively small country, it is not possible to find a All of these operative tools are closely single model of community philanthropy. linked to an ‘expanded’, non-fragmented philanthropic broker role, embedded within Still, several fundamental components and a common vision of the community. strategies permit community foundations to carry out a role as philanthropic broker: In sum, the core task of the foundation is to trust, the building of relationships and be an accelerator and professional amplifier security, proximity, flexibility and simplicity. of ‘good deeds’, making everyone feel more Community foundations can also fulfil their involved in the life of a community. Its task role as a philanthropic broker because is also to encourage a greater awareness those who have been involved in the of the needs and opportunities of a certain process of activation and innovation ‘from area, generate a feeling of belonging and, below’ can simultaneously be donors and ultimately, build social cohesion. support in other ways the development of community projects.

8 REFLECTIONS FROM THE ITALIAN CONTEXT

Catalysts of social change and Community foundations could become human development local/regional systems of a relational Gaetano Giunta, Fondazione di Comunità di nature that are no longer centred around Messina accumulating and distributing economic resources, but instead around creating Social and cultural dynamics, even those ideas and support, and evaluating genuine of local communities, evolve through and sustainable policies. paradigms and revolutions. These are chaotic; specific conditions can change the The policies of community foundations course of history and intellectual thought, should promote socio-economic systems resulting, over a relatively short period capable of generating alternatives in the of time, in changes in visions, theoretical main areas of human life that are linked frameworks and even socio-economic to where and how people live and work, to trends which had seemed immutable. access to knowledge, income and social Transformation processes can generate relationships. This clears the path to break a genuine metamorphosis. It is from this away from the competitive capitalist logic idea of metamorphosis that community and dynamics determined by economic foundations can draw inspiration. In their utilitarianism. They should promote evolved respective communities, they should look community welfare models capable of to initiate sustainable systematic initiatives helping the most vulnerable people to able to pave the way for a permanent orient themselves and understand which process, creating nuclei of transformation of these new alternatives is best for their that trigger metamorphic processes. well-being and pursuit of happiness. In this Community foundations should form way we can create highly emancipatory highly innovative social infrastructure dynamics of inclusion. programmes in their communities that are able to assume longer-term strategic value Ultimately, the idea is to test community as opposed to a short-lived episodic value. foundations as economic support networks They should also be capable of promoting which, by mutualizing resources, are capable human development, of fruitfully correlating of promoting freedom, justice, social cohesion the productive, cultural, welfare and and equal opportunities, intertwining educational systems, along with research beauty and freedom, dreaming concretely, and development, and have the ability to and pursuing a genuine metamorphosis of attract creative talent as well as build the societies and economies. social capabilities of local communities.

9 REFLECTIONS FROM THE ITALIAN CONTEXT

Community leadership For many, community foundations are Carola Carazzone, Assifero natural leaders, sometimes as conveners and often as initiators of processes to Traditional community foundations based resolve community issues or address on endowment management and donor community opportunities. As such, they can services used to remain ’neutral‘, were not also be very powerful when tackling global daring and avoided difficult issues. More issues at the local level, such as SDGs and recently, many community foundations sustainable human development, climate have started to play a ‘community leader’ change and migration. role, confronting the status quo in order to pursue and bring about change. The recent GFCF and ECFI initiative to encourage exchange on European Community foundations can be great community philanthropy’s responses to leadership organizations in the community refugees and migrants, hosted by the because they can take a long-term Community Foundation of Messina and perspective and neither depend on annual Assifero in October 2017, demonstrated fundraising campaigns nor must give how networking, peer learning and in to political pressure. Thanks to their knowledge sharing can make community independence and freedom, they are well foundations better informed, connected positioned to address thorny issues and and effective, contributing, as individual take risks. organizations and collectively, to a more inclusive society and a more sustainable Looking at the power of community and human development in Europe. philanthropy today and its potential for far-reaching power in the future raises a crucial question: whether they want to play a leading role in addressing the major social, economic and cultural challenges we are facing. In other words, A community foundation is … do community foundations want to be agents of transformational social change, “It is a regional base and a unique human rights and social justice that shift opportunity to activate processes of the balance of power towards people? local inclusion, local development and philanthropy. It can play an important role in the development of societal solidarity and promoting a ‘giving culture’ by offering donors and third- sector organizations the opportunity to meet and breathing life into a model of daily horizontal subsidiarity.”

10 REFLECTIONS FROM THE ITALIAN CONTEXT

Local innovators Why, you may ask? First of all because Vittoria Burton, Dimitri Buracco Ghion, community foundations are activators Fondazione di Comunità del Canavese Onlus and require local actors, with knowledge of and proximity to territorial specificities, To reflect on the relationship between the to become protagonists of development. activities of community foundations and A community foundation is a kind of their territories is a complicated endeavour intangible ‘third place’, one that promotes but also a stimulating starting point for a belonging and active participation. It is wider study of the more profound changes a vital space in which good practices are and transformations of our country. developed, services provided, methods tested and solutions found, all of which The global economic crisis is stretching our combine local development and social ecosystems to their limits: environment, inclusion. welfare, social inclusion and local development are all at risk of coming to a After all, in a known space, in a place that standstill, or worse, collapsing. The models is close to you and easy to connect with, and paradigms that have accompanied it is easier to make resources available, development policies so far do not seem be they economic, cognitive, experiential to be able to give adequate answers to or relational. CFs can stimulate cross- the many difficulties that now define the fertilization processes and collaborative lives of our communities: we struggle to frameworks that are strongly linked to the create employment, the number of people local community. with new and different social needs grows incrementally, inequality is increasing, and In the past few years, many experiences public funding and the quality of services – some of them with a strong economic are on the decrease. In this quite bleak value – have grown from the local level: context, what can community foundations start-ups that have arisen as an answer possibly do? to specific calls for solutions, traditional companies that have promoted a new idea If we agree upon the shared premise that a of local social responsibility, new social good welfare system promotes civility and enterprises that have chosen to direct their a fair economic system and is an invaluable core businesses towards welfare services. asset for social cohesion and justice without which we cannot have growth Within these processes, the experience of and sustainable development, it appears community foundations can strengthen immediately evident that community the capacity to build new services locally, foundations represent a very important generate innovation that combines building block in the construction of new business and social impact, and foster local ecosystems of social innovation. the development of new business models, becoming an important lever for economic and social growth.

11 REFLECTIONS FROM THE ITALIAN CONTEXT

Secondly, community foundations are Additionally, the presence of community engines of innovation (because we urgently foundations in a community improves the need new forms of community welfare) quality of the non-profit and for-profit and can facilitate the development of social sectors, an area of business fed by new methods and strategies. Our current significant public and private expenditure situation sees the crisis of the public welfare that often hides large portions of informal system reducing all forms of assistance and unpaid work situations. Community to basic subsidiarity, towards the most foundations very often support projects extreme situations, while at the same time that create networks among services promoting dubious privatizations. and workers, improving the quality of services, guaranteeing continuity and the We need to build a new model that, in the professional growth of workers. words of Stefano Zamagni in the Libro bianco sul terzo settore (White Book on Finally, community foundations thrive on the Third Sector), goes from the public- local donations and, more generally, on the private dualistic framework to the public- development and consolidation of a culture private-civil idea. This does not mean of giving and of a philanthropic mindset. giving up on the idea of a public welfare When a community starts thinking in terms system but, instead, recognizing and of giving, it often follows that increased exploiting the best collaborative practices, attention is given to ethical finance and supporting widespread responsibility sustainable investments, to forms of a within the community, coherently with sharing economy and to the mobilization the constitutional dictate that invites us of private capital to support programmes to support ‘the independent initiative of that benefit the community. citizens, individually and in association, to carry out activities that serve the general Having said all this, though, we must interest’. remember that one of the most important characteristics of community foundations Community foundations create a context is that they have the freedom and luxury of in which the public sector, the private not being entirely driven by logic. ‘We must sector and civil society meet to create doubt superfluous innovation, especially and generate virtuous circles that can when it is guided by logic’, said Winston offer solutions and start sustainable Churchill. So as community foundations, development processes. They foster a let us continue to be very much driven by a climate in which needs are better expressed passion for creating beauty, by clear, even and understood and the evaluation of the if unobtainable, ideals of equality and, effectiveness of investments is carried out especially, by love for our fellow human without preconceived ideas about what are beings. the best (public or private) management processes.

12 REFLECTIONS FROM THE ITALIAN CONTEXT

From vitality to impact: More than communications or fundraising a community engagement strategy activities is required; a clear plan is needed Daniele Pietro Giudici, Fondazione Comunitaria to stimulate new and active relationships Nord Milano Onlus, Fondazione Comunitaria del between the foundations and their Ticino Olona Onlus and Fondazione della comunità communities. locale Pro Valtellina Onlus Numerous foundations focus on offering In the current local and global context it is grant programmes and, given limited more necessary than ever to work together. resources, often ask themselves: How can Participation of all is the fundamental these best be directed to respond to the key to reading the current situation and many needs? What changes will they be tapping into the vitality of each community. able to bring about? What impact will If we were able to unite public and private the actions have? Some foundations are resources, especially those dedicated to initiating a method of work that facilitates concrete projects and activities in various the achievement of evaluative objectives socio-cultural sectors, we would be able that involve using statistical data as well to offer more effective responses to both as specific indicators, while ensuring urgent and future needs, something that a significant degree of transparency would both satisfy the desires of people and freedom in their formulation and today and future generations. Community construction. This approach is used in order philanthropy plays an essential role by to understand the impacts that result from offering support for the realities and supported interventions and how they can projects of non-profits, but is also an be measured. institutional instrument that encourages a culture of giving. In Canada, the US and the UK, Vital Signs is being used. Vital Signs is a process of Today, community foundations are more gathering and making sense of quantitative active than ever in involving people, data available about a certain territory in companies and institutions in responding to which attention is paid to transparency and current changes. It is no longer sufficient to professionalism through the involvement be service providers in order to respond to of all actors and entities. Those that have needs, it is important to work more deeply applied the Vital Signs method have used by pursuing coordinated data gathering this multidisciplinary, strategic instrument efforts, carefully reading the situation to define emerging or lesser known needs and measuring results. The more donors, and periodically provide easy-to-read updates volunteers and citizens feel involved, the and storytelling. more they will give to their communities: not only in terms of money but also trust. Vital Signs begins with a focus group In this way, a sense of belonging will grow, involving representatives of diverse sectors: and so too dialogue and the desire to know municipal officials, third-sector groups, the results of what has been supported. social enterprises, schools and businesses

13 REFLECTIONS FROM THE ITALIAN CONTEXT

as well as those involved in socio-cultural, strictly adhered to as the strategic process environmental, religious activities, welfare of dialogue and involvement is an equally, services and security. if not more important, element of the process. Involvement of the entire Board The Foundazione Comunitaria del Nord of Directors and team is likewise essential Milano was the first to undertake this in order to strengthen relationship building approach in Italy. It did so with the support activities with donors, beneficiaries and of the Bicocca University of Milan, because partners so as to best respond to the many the process matched well with its strategic requests of the community. objectives: • to gather information from the We should ask ourselves ‘why not?’ The community, improve existing networks professionals involved in community and encourage networking among the philanthropy have the energy and various actors; capacities to inspire trust day after day. • to create a shared reading of current and emerging needs, and clarify areas that are seen as ‘not clear’ or ‘in Supporting community evolution’; foundations and community • to better define the project areas to be philanthropy networks supported in a more coherent manner Stefania Mancini, Fondazione Charlemagne through a gathering of real needs, a finalità umanitarie Onlus and thus reinforcing the active and intermediary role of the foundation; The Fondazione Italiana Charlemagne • to streamline all available information for Humanitarian Purposes is a private, in order to make the results accessible independent and non-denominational and easy to read, and then returning foundation. It was established on the the information to the community and initiative of private donors in order to actors involved on an ongoing basis. extend social solidarity to include a system of shared resources, means and ideas. Fondazione Ticino Olona is also actively involved in a similar process of listening The foundation’s vision is the promotion and building a common understanding of of human dignity. Its actions pursue community needs through its ‘Consultation the respect of human rights and it acts for the Promotion of Culture of Giving and in synergy with organizations that are Definition of a Giving Strategy’. committed to ensuring the full dignity of the individual. These dialogue-enhancing activities are indispensable to understanding and It believes in the role of non-profit measuring the impact of each community organizations in complementing the role of foundation’s activities. The objective of using the State and the for-profit sector. a set of indicators does not need to be

14 REFLECTIONS FROM THE ITALIAN CONTEXT

Community foundations have been included a great demand for intelligent, complex in the foundation’s strategy because they interventions that go beyond traditional seem to offer a path to civic engagement ones and are able to offer meaningful and that fits well with the European Commission’s generous responses to respond to and care request to its member states to include social for those in need, no longer able to access and civil rights in their political agenda as the welfare system, enveloped in loneliness a tool for development. We also believe in for economic, social or relational reasons the unique role that community foundations and those that no longer have reliable play in local economic development and points of reference in their lives. their contribution to the UN 2030 Agenda. Thus, a community foundation, if well During the past decade, the Fondazione tailored to the community it serves and Charlemagne has supported the guided by the objectives of regeneration implementation of almost 1,000 projects and and development, can contribute to interacted with a wide range of non-profit development that is democratic and organizations, from international NGOs promotes solidarity and in which individuals to community-based groups. The process participate in the construction of their of studying, gathering and comparing future and the common good. information has confirmed that community foundations play an important role in ‘constructing development’, as they are both locally based and have an international inclination. Community foundations in a number of developing countries meet the fundamental criteria required for A community foundation is … participatory and responsible development. “An organization that is capable Their models vary widely and embrace of promoting social innovation different forms, ranging from those with a throughout the region.” high propensity to entrepreneurship (that may resemble, in part, a social enterprise) to those that serve as motors for engagement and democratic participation, represent the voice of local people and help them to meet their needs without the interference of external actors.

Development indicators in Italy today present an ever more critical picture: Italian regions, provinces and the suburbs of large cities demand attention and care. There is

15 HISTORY

HISTORY OF THE COMMUNITY FOUNDATION MOVEMENT IN ITALY

The 20-year-old journey of Verbania Cusio Ossola. In 2000 Cariplo community foundations in promoted the process of establishing the Italy community foundations of Mantua, Novara, Anna Omodei, Assifero Bergamo, Monza and Brianza. Cremona followed in 2001, Varese, Brescia, Pavia, The history of Italian community foundations Sondrio and Lodi in 2002, and in 2006 the took its inspiration from the community Community Foundation of North Milan, the foundation movement developed in the last community foundation of the province of century in the United States, in Canada and Ticino-Olona and the one of the Piedmont subsequently in the United Kingdom. The province of Verbano-Cusio-Ossola. The community foundation movement originated establishment of the latter was also supported in 1914 in Cleveland, Ohio, where charitable by a contribution by the Compagnia di San investment funds established in the second Paolo, a banking foundation. half of the 19th century had become difficult to manage for lenders, especially following The 15 community foundations promoted the death of philanthropic donors. F. Goff by Cariplo2 offer donors various services of the Cleveland Trust Company had the and manage assets in order to finance insight to create an independent fundraising projects supporting promotion and committee that responded to the specific development of the territory, professional needs of the population of Cleveland and to training, amateur sports, the protection, launch the first community foundation, one promotion and development of cultural that is still alive today.1 activities, goods and artistic and historical initiatives, protection and enhancement The model proposed by Goff achieved of nature and the environment, scientific great success and as well as spreading in research and other activities aimed at North America, also emerged in Europe 60 improving the quality of life. years later, first in the United Kingdom, then in Germany and then, during the 1990s, in There are, in addition, six community Eastern and Southern Europe. foundations promoted by the Compagnia San Paolo. They include the Community The first community foundations in Italy Foundation of Verbano Cusio Ossola, originated in 1999 in Lecco and Como founded together with the Fondazione through an initiative of the Fondazione Cariplo, but also in 2006 and with other Cariplo, which in the preceding years had supportive partners, the establishment launched a research project on community of the Riviera dei Fiori Foundation that philanthropy in the United States and later operates in the Imperia province (Liguria), supported the development of similar in 2008 the establishment of the Mirafiori philanthropic institutions in Lombardy and Community Foundation, which aims to the two Piedmont provinces of Novara and environmentally and socially improve

1 Bandera L. (2013°), La filantropia comunitaria negli Stati Uniti: dalla Cleaveland Foundation ai giorni nostri, Percorsi di secondo welfare, 19 gennaio 2013. 2 Fondazione Cariplo, www.fondazionecariplo.it

16 HISTORY

a neighbourhood in Turin, and the community foundation in Southern Italy Community Foundation of Valle d’Aosta, was established in 2009 in the province which operates regionally. In 2015 the of Salerno (Campania region), followed by Community Foundation of Canavese was the Community Foundation of the Historic set up, which is mainly concerned with the Centre of Naples in 2010, which primarily inclusion, integration and assistance of finances initiatives supporting the most people in disadvantaged situations and vulnerable groups. Then, in 2010, the those at risk of social marginalization, and Community Foundation of Messina (Sicily) the Community Foundation of Carmagnola was established, a unique case in the Italian in Piedmont. The Compagnia di San Paolo panorama because, in order to support its also funded the establishment of the activities, it invests around 50 per cent of Community Foundation of Savona. its assets in the production of renewable energy through management of a solar Since 2000 the Foundation of Venice panel farm. has also promoted certain community foundations which devote special attention In 2014 the Community Foundation of Val to the themes of youth and education: the di Noto (Sicily) was established, which Santo Stefano di Portogruaro Foundation is concerned with education, welfare, (2000), the Community Foundation social cohesion and employment, paying of Chioggia (2001), the Terra d’Acqua particular attention to young people, as Foundation (2008) and the Foundation of was the Community Foundation of San Riviera-Mirano (2008). Gennaro, which operates in the Sanità neighbourhood of Naples and seeks to Furthermore, in the Veneto region there are revive the neighbourhood from a cultural, other community foundations originating urban and artistic point of view. from the impulse of diverse actors in the public and private social sector, such as Thanks to support from, among others, the the Community Foundation of Vicenza for Fondazione Italiana Charlemagne a finalità the Quality of Life (2004), the Community umanitarie onlus, in 2014, the Community Foundation of Cerea (2006), the Community Foundation of Salento was formed in Lecce Foundation of Sinistra Piave for the Quality of (Puglia). Some community foundations Life (2007) and the Community Foundation are in the process of being established in of Verona (2010). In October 2016, Munus – the central and southern regions of the the Community Foundation of Parma – was country (e.g. Fano and Agrigento). All of established in Emilia Romagna. this suggests a very diverse and evolving context. Since 2009 community foundations have also blossomed in Southern Italy, promoted by the Con il Sud Foundation.3 The first

3 Fondazione con il Sud: www.fondazioneconilsud.it/interventi/fondazioni-di-comunita/

17 HISTORY A community foundation is …

“The community foundation as a community hub.”

Community foundations Community foundations are created on supported by the the initiative of citizens, local institutions Fondazione Cariplo and economic, social and civil stakeholder Filippo Petrolati, Fondazione Cariplo representatives (entrepreneurs, professional organizations, religious individuals, The Fondazione Cariplo is a ‘foundation of spokespeople of the third sector, members banking origin’ that was established in 1991, of the world of finance, of culture and of following the process of restructuration of philanthropy, sportspeople and performing the Italian credit system (I.1990/218), with artists) of the specific territory of reference. the institutional mission of pursuing the A promoting committee formed by eminent philanthropic charitable activities that individuals typically serves as the initiative’s until that time had been developed by the guarantor, creates consensus around the Cassa di Risparmio of Lombardy, a regional new institution and legitimizes it, mobilizes savings bank. existing and potential resources and, supported by a technical and operational Inspired by the American model of committee, submits (after about six community foundations and the idea of months) a strategic plan and bylaws for adapting it to a local Italian context, in approval by the Fondazione Cariplo’s April 1998 the Fondazione Cariplo launched Board and, subsequently, for authorization the Fondazioni di Comunità (community by the relevant public authorities. Given foundation) project, a first for Italy, with the the complexity of the activities and time objective of promoting the establishment limits, the Fondazione Cariplo provides the of a network of community foundations committees with consultations, instruments, across the whole territory of reference of support and models to be made available the Cariplo Foundation (the Lombardy to the different territorial communities. region and the Provinces of Novara and Verbano Cusio Ossola) that could respond The endowments of the community efficiently to and meet the needs of the foundations promoted by the Fondazione local communities, and promote a culture Cariplo are created through the collection of giving and participation, all with the aim of financial assets from within the territory to support socially beneficial projects. in the amount of a minimum of €5 million over ten years. To this sum, Cariplo adds Thus, between 1999 and 2006, Fondazione €10 million as an endowment fund. The Cariplo promoted the gradual establishment community foundations can thus count on of 13 community foundations on a provincial financial assets of €15 million, composed basis and two foundations in the northern of a non-designated fund of €10 million and western areas of the Milan Metropolitan for the support of programmes run by the Area. In order to cover the full territory, the community foundation and €5 million in establishment of community foundations designated funds combined with donations in the southern and eastern areas of the by individuals or families, estates, donations Milan Metropolitan Area is in the process of by companies and banks, public bodies, receiving approval from the authorities of and private and non-profit organizations the City of Milan. with socially beneficial objectives.

18 HISTORY

To date, the 15 community foundations communication planning, learning and promoted by the Fondazione Cariplo have comparison activities as well as capacity increased their collective endowment to building, and common projects between more than €260 million and have a capital the community foundations and with investment policy intended to increase the Fondazione Cariplo. Alongside these endowment and preserve its market value, initiatives is an annual monitoring that as befits their role as private foundations captures results achieved and confirms with a strong public purpose. changes and improvements on the basis of indicators of effectiveness and efficiency of Over the past 18 years, they have obtained the community foundation. the trust of the citizens through more than 48,000 donations, accruing a sum of The community foundations supported by over €140 million in donations and funds. Fondazione Cariplo are characterized by They have distributed approximately €280 governance, administration and control million to support over 26,000 projects in the structures that are skilled, authoritative, social and health sectors, the restoration of independent and capable of representing artistic and historical commons, promoting the entire community of reference, art and culture, protection of nature and integrating public and private components the environment and, in smaller measure, nominated by territorial nomination projects supporting scientific research. committees.

Every year the Fondazione Cariplo The operational structures of the community distributes over €14 million to the community foundations, initially quite thin, are growing foundations in order to support groups in a way that is proportional to the role that or projects that are often co-financed they assume in the community of reference. or otherwise supported by companies Volunteers are supported by specialized and residents of the communities. It also personnel and, in some cases, committees manages, together with the community dedicated to the characteristic functions of foundations, annual provisions of community foundations (communication, contributions of €6.5 million in the territory. fundraising, grantmaking and investments) Moreover, each year on a rotational basis, that are formed by internal and external it provides two provinces with an additional professionals interested in contributing to €7 million for particularly important and the foundation’s activities. relevant interventions (with a value not less than €1 million). Community foundations are private institutions whose main purpose is to catalyze The Fondazione Cariplo also supports the resources and fundraise in favour of specific continued development of the community projects, help people, public bodies and foundations, offering technical support companies support interventions that are and initiatives to strengthen and improve useful for the community, put the donor in networking among the 15 foundations by contact with the needs of civil society, make sharing strategic aims, operational and giving personal, simple, safe, affordable managerial guidelines, system actions, and effective, eliminate bureaucratic and

19 HISTORY

administrative obstacles, offer (even also time, goods and services, in favour of financial) incentives and guarantee interventions which can be monitored and information on the use of resources and assessed for their results and impact on the reporting on results. community’s well-being.

However, the community foundations are Recently, community foundations have also social infrastructures that, as a result proposed initiatives and services that of their independence, neutrality and benefit third-sector organizations in order transparency, can become accelerators of to support their strategic and operational projects around which public and private growth, developed partnerships and community resources can be pooled, synergies with businesses, experimented establish alliances, relationships and favour with storytelling and appraisal that co-planning around complex problems reinforce the bond of trust with the identified as priorities by the authorities territory, as well as continued to promote and residents of the territory. opportunities to raise awareness on social cohesion and solidarity as key factors in the Community foundations can therefore civil, social and economic development of become true platforms for participation, a community. capable of listening to people in the territory, intercepting their needs and problems, For all these reasons, in a context in which and seizing opportunities, identifying or social needs are increasing and the social promoting projects which can catalyze state reveals its weakness, community their own and third-party resources (large foundations are destined to assume an or small), and not only economic assets but ever more significant role as they represent a supplementary source of funds and offer social and relational capital in service of a community and from a perspective of co- responsibility and participation in creating the common good. A community foundation is …

“It is like a tree: every root of the tree is a fund, one that can be created by individuals, fami- lies or businesses. The roots gather donations that can add to the tree‘s thick canopy (the social projects realized by NGOs). The trunk represents the core of the foundation, a link between the roots and the branches. Contri- butions are needed from all in order for every branch to develop ample leaves and flowers. The more cohesive the community, the stronger the tree’s canopy.”

20 HISTORY

Birth and evolution of the creation of their first ever community community foundations foundations. These five foundations are: the in southern Italy Foundation for the Community of Salerno Carlo Borgomeo, Fondazione Con il Sud (Fondazione della Comunità Salernitana Onlus), the Community Foundation of From its establishment, the Fondazione Naples’ Historical Centre (Fondazione di Con il Sud has supported the creation of Comunità del Centro Storico di Napoli), community foundations in Southern Italy, the Community Foundation of Messina recognizing them as a model for community (Fondazione di Comunità di Messina), the welfare that can have positive effects on the Community Foundation of Val di Noto development of territories in the region. (Fondazione di Comunità Val di Noto) and the Community Foundation of San Gennaro Community foundations represent an (Fondazione di Comunità San Gennaro). important bottom-up tool for social infrastructure that comes directly from the Autonomous, independent and each with local community that organizes and initiates its own characteristics, these foundations them for the development of their area. are united by a common goal: to work together for the humanitarian, social and They are based on the coming together economic development of their community. and collaboration of those willing to ‘take a gamble’ for the growth of their local The Fondazione Con il Sud, which supports community. How? By attracting resources, endogenous regional development, has not enhancing them through prudent asset identified a single model for community management, and investing them in local foundations, allowing each local community social projects. to choose how the foundation is organized and operates in that region. Its role is to facilitate The initiative originates in the local this process without passing judgement on community through the direct involvement operational decisions. Fondazione Con il Sud, of third-sector and voluntary organizations, nevertheless, supports the development of institutions and private individuals who are the community foundations on an ongoing well known in the community and promote, basis, accompanies them, supports them and in a hands-on way, a giving culture for the monitors their achievement of planned goals. common good. The Fondazione’s aim is to contribute to Accustomed to requesting money from the creation of a significant number of elsewhere, for Southern Italy this is an community foundations in the southern extraordinary cultural shift. It is exactly for regions of Italy with at least €5 million to this reason that the Fondazione Con il Sud sustain their activities and reach a critical intends to continue to support the creation mass capable of attracting further funds of community foundations in Southern Italy. and donations.

Thanks to the Con il Sud Foundation, the The support received on the creation of southern regions of Italy have experienced community foundations and when building

21 HISTORY

assets occurs through grant-matching Approximately 700 social initiatives have mechanisms which encourage autonomous been supported with €10 million. The fundraising by the community foundations. initiatives, mainly involving third-sector The Fondazione Con il Sud’s support, once and voluntary organizations, are primarily the prerequisites for funding have been met, concerned with educating teenagers and doubles the initial assets (with a minimum children in need, providing assistance to of €300,000 and maximum of €500,000) the elderly, the disabled and the homeless, raised by the community foundation. and support for the poor as well as social Further investments are added to this in entrepreneurship projects. The community order to consolidate the asset structure foundations have helped over 33,000 (to a maximum total of €2.5 million) of people, predominantly children and the community foundations, contribute to teenagers. initial grantmaking activities and cover the management costs of specific projects While aware of the complexities facing to support fundraising (€200,000 per year such organizations, the Fondazione Con per initiative and €25,000 per fundraising il Sud intends to continue to support the project for the first five years (three years, growth of new community foundations. with the possibility of renewal for an This is because community foundations additional two years)). In order to continue represent a concrete tool for ‘generative supporting the community foundations welfare’: they originate from the after their first five years, the Foundation community, from the development of social has set aside resources of up to €1 million to networks, and from a coming together to assign as one-off grants to specific projects create human development opportunities presented by the community foundations. based on criteria that are socially and environmentally responsible, in contrast Since its creation, the Con il Sud Foundation with criminally-driven economies. has awarded over €22.4 million to the founding of community foundations in For Fondazione Con Il Sud, investing in Southern Italy. The total resources assigned communities is an attempt to fulfil social to the first five community foundations needs and a tool to strengthen communities. amount to €17.2 million in assets and Identifying priorities, finding resources, support for grantmaking and fundraising. involving local citizens in programmes In turn, the five community foundations translates into greater democracy, in Southern Italy, even if by different participation and solidarity – all necessary means and in different timeframes, have elements to boost development in Italy, launched development initiatives for local especially in the south, and to ensure that communities, supporting projects of social economic growth builds on strengthened benefit and promoting a culture of giving. social capital and communities.

The balance sheet is also quite promising: to date, the five foundations have collected over €18 million to invest in their own assets and in social activities in the region.

22 LEGAL & FISCAL CONTEXT

LEGAL & FISCAL CONTEXT

The legal and fiscal context for the Italian the sector in a way that focuses on the third sector is in a moment of significant substance (i.e. the purpose) of a non-prof- transformation. The contributions that it organization‘s work rather than its legal follow identify many of the key changes form. that will influence community foundations and the ways they work. With the reform, transparency and accountability will no longer be exclusively associated with organizations that are Community foundations willing to go the extra mile or those required after the 2017 Italian by specific legislation or fiscal advantages Third Sector Law Reform to provide additional information. Every Pietro Ferrari Bravo, Assifero organization will benefit from qualification as a third-sector organization. Moreover, With its 104 articles collected in 12 titles, all organizations will have to pay attention the new Third Sector Law (D. Lgs. 3 July to their performance in areas such as 2017, no. 117, enacted on 3 August 2017) accounting, the preparation of financial represents a significant reform of the statements in accordance with official non-profit sector in Italy. It introduces a formats, ensuring democratic governance, new regulatory framework and definition establishing control bodies, and limiting to a field that was historically defined by wages and costs, etc. These changes its differences from traditional categories will bring reputational benefits because (i.e. the third sector as opposed to the the third sector will be able to present public and private sectors) or defined in itself in a more credible and responsible the negative (i.e. as non-profit or non- manner to donors, public administration governmental organizations). and stakeholders. It will also provide tax benefits that should allow for stronger The law offers a positive definition of partnerships with local businesses (by third-sector organizations (enti del terzo extending the deductibility of donations) settore). They are now understood to be and encourage renewed attention to the organizations ‘pursuing civic purposes, vast area of bequests and designated solidarity and social utility, without the funds. The tax benefits are explained in intention to produce profit, by carrying out greater detail in Dr Sepio’s contribution. activities of general interest ... and listed in the National Register of the Third Sector’ Within the new framework for the third (art. 4). Activities of general interest are sector, an important role will be played carefully listed in art. 5 of the law and the by philanthropic organizations, whose resulting definition is extremely inclusive. purpose is ‘to provide money, goods or An essential element in order to qualify as a services, including investments, in support third-sector organization is inclusion in the of disadvantaged people or activities national register (RUN). of general interest’ (art. 37). While they may also choose to classify themselves The reform will unify a previously complex according to another category identified situation. Equally importantly, it defines in the RUN, community foundations

23 LEGAL & FISCAL CONTEXT

appear to fit the category of philanthropic Philanthropic entities between organizations particularly due to their role Third Sector Reform and a new as philanthropic brokers within a given tax regime geography and as conduits of financial Gabriele Sepio, Technical Desk for the Third Sector resources that benefit the general interests Reform at the Ministry of Labour and Social Policies of the target community. With the reform of the third sector (Legislative Yet the reform reaches beyond the legal Decree 117, 2017) the Italian non-profit sector form – a philanthropic organization can enters into a new phase that constructs also be incorporated as an association. a homogeneous tax system that rewards In fact, it may be more appropriate those who reinvest earnings in activities of to qualify community foundations as general interest. community philanthropy organizations, which would involve moving away from a For too long, the tax system in this field classic model based on the initial assets has been dominated by extemporaneous of the foundation, its income and grants, legislative interventions dedicated to to a focus on its mission of community individual sectors that received advantages philanthropy, i.e. the development of and benefits without a systemic logic. The identity in a given geography and the situation led to a heterogeneous and well-being of the community. incoherent picture; one that created a certain confusion with regard to the role of The reform will additionally have a major third-sector entities and the ways in which impact on the areas of intervention of they engage in activities in favour of community philanthropy organizations. By communities. removing the requirement to limit their work to areas of the greatest disadvantage, they The enormous work done in creating the will be able to intervene in wider and more ONLUS (organizzazione non-lucrativa di diverse ways in community development. utilità sociale, or non-profit organization for social welfare) category 20 years The path to full implementation of the ago had the extreme foresight to frame reform will be long and impacted by the the non-profit world within a single tax many additional regulations still to be category by selecting particular activities enacted. This reform is nevertheless a and beneficiaries. However, the ONLUS wonderful opportunity for the development category gradually came to be used by all of community philanthropy. types of institutions (from small voluntary organizations to large social cooperatives) attracted by the lack of taxation on profits generated while carrying out the organization’s main activities and those considered ‘related’ activities and by the absence of equally valid alternatives for the pursuit of public benefit activities.

24 LEGAL & FISCAL CONTEXT

The presence of entities organized as The purpose of these new measures is businesses, in some cases with very to encourage charitable donations by significant profits, alongside smaller standardizing and simplifying the legislative entities involving a few volunteers led to framework currently in force. More a distortion of the ONLUS tax model and specifically, the Law on the Third Sector the need for clearer rules to ensure greater permits more deductions for those who transparency of fund management and a make charitable donations. As compared to different gradation of benefits based on the current rules for ONLUS, the threshold type of entity. for income tax deductions granted for donations up to €30,000 increases from This is the basis for the first pillar of the 26% to 30%. Limitations on the total sum reform, the single registry, which introduces of charitable donations are abolished for specific sections (for associations for the those that choose, alternatively, to take the promotion of social aims, volunteer-based deduction on the tax base, which is allowed associations, philanthropic bodies, social for donations up to 10% of declared income. enterprises, etc.) that distinguish and Furthermore, an additional decree will seek qualify the entity based on legal category to encourage in-kind gifts by natural persons and type of organization. and businesses by identifying assessment criteria useful in quantifying the deductions Within 18 months of the decree coming that can be included in a tax return. This into force, entities may make the statutory decree will also give tax incentives to those changes required for enrolment in the who return goods that are no longer used register based on an evaluation of the but still usable in the virtuous cycle of the various options that the law provides. They circular economy. may also take into account the new tax regimes introduced by the Third Sector Law Another important aspect of the reform as relevant to their specific activities and is the introduction of specific measures to commercial or non-commercial nature. facilitate those bodies, such as community foundations, that manage assets (including Within this overall picture, the reform for real estate) intended for general interest the first time acknowledges the presence purposes. Specifically, this includes timely of philanthropic entities, and a specific provisions concerning the sale, donation section is dedicated to them within the and management of real estate that favour single national registry. Entities engaged its use by entities that direct their resources in philanthropic brokering, such as to benefit the community. community foundations, will thus be able to acquire the status of third-sector entities In this same context, we see the introduction and receive a number of tax benefits of the new measure – in Article 81 of the that offer advantages to those engaged Third Sector Law (also known as the ‘social in grantmaking and with regard to the bonus’) – which assigns a tax credit of 65% management of the entity’s assets. (for natural persons) or 50% (for entities or companies). The credit is granted for charitable donations (up to 15% of declared

25 LEGAL & FISCAL CONTEXT

income for natural persons and up to 0.5% a non-commercial third-sector entity which of gross revenues for enterprises) directed to draws the majority of its resources from the re-use of unutilized public property and fundraising activities, charitable donations property confiscated from organized crime and management of its assets, and thus that will be used exclusively for activities generates revenues of a predominantly in the general interest. The new incentive non-commercial nature in accordance with offers all third-sector entities (including Article 79 of the Law. social enterprises) a particularly effective tool to facilitate the collection of donations Framing themselves in this manner will from individuals, with the proviso that the ensure community foundations access to resources are directed to non-commercial the various benefits described above, and purposes. above all, exclude from taxation income derived from donations and fundraising. It In continuity with the ONLUS legislation, will offer them the additional possibility of the new law provides exemptions on pursuing self-financing through secondary inheritance tax, the tax on donations and instrumental commercial activities, as well as on the land registry taxes for which are taxed using a special flat-rate donations to third-sector organizations. scheme. Non-commercial third-sector Exemptions from registration, mortgage entities, in fact, will be able to engage in and land registry taxes are also provided activities of general interest, pursuant to for transfers of property involving payment Article 5 of the Third Sector Law, in a larger provided that the property is used for the number of sectors than those provided realization of institutional aims within five for previously. Moreover, any additional years of the transfer. The management of activities may be carried out with less real estate also benefits in terms of direct stringent limits than those currently placed taxation through the introduction of an on ONLUS activities.4 innovative provision, which excludes from taxation income from property that is As non-commercial entities, the used solely for non-commercial activities. foundations will also be able to access This rule applies to volunteer-based measures facilitating the provision of organizations and associations for the funding by credit institutions (through the promotion of social aims and also allows issuing of ‘solidarity bonds’) for the pursuit exemption from taxation on any possible of activities of general interest. These capital gains resulting from the sale of include bonds, other debt securities or these properties. certificates of deposit where legislators have agreed to tax both interest and Given the tax regime described above, premiums at a rate of 12.5%, essentially it is reasonable to assume that existing the same rate applied to government community foundations will enrol in the bonds. Issuing banks will be able to make Third Sector Register as ‘philanthropic donations to non-commercial third-sector bodies’ and meet the fiscal qualifications of entities and benefit from a 50% tax credit

4 A measure implementing Article 6 of the Third Sector Law is awaited.

26 LEGAL & FISCAL CONTEXT

if the amount of such donations exceeds corporate tax base (30% of sales up to €1.8 0.5% of issued solidarity bonds. million per year), with financial effects that are similar to those deriving from charitable For the first time, third-sector entities that donations. engage in significant commercial activity will also be able to obtain tax relief by It is therefore opportune for foundations to accessing the social enterprise category consider carefully the multiple prospects (that was previously on the margins offered by the Third Sector Reform and of the non-profit world). In return for choose among the various options the greater transparency, income reinvested one most suited to their profile. This may in activities of general interest within two include the possibility of becoming a social years will not be subject to tax. Ordinary enterprise, an approach that could offer the taxation will only be triggered in the case of opportunity to carry out activities of general dividend distributions (which are permitted interest (based on an entrepreneurial in the amount of 50% of annual income model) that are related to the foundation’s and operating surplus) philanthropic purpose.

Additionally, investment in social enterprises is encouraged by significant income tax deductions (30% on contributions up to €1 million per year) and deductions on the A community foundation is …

“A wealth that belongs to the community. It offers possibility to anyone – individual citizens, companies, community groups, institutions – to operate in a philanthropic field, to do good, with A community foundation is … greater awareness of the needs and opportunities within that region, “A philanthropic entity rooted in its area that enhancing a common sense of belonging encourages the development of a giving and social cohesion.” culture and promotes community growth with a concern for social inclusion. The community foundation carries out two main activities: fundraising aimed at establishing permanent assets and support for projects in its focus areas. In addition, the mission of a community foundation is to engage in ongoing dialogue with all subjects of the community and serve as a reference point for various needs in the population as given in the Vital Signs model (engagement, asset, trust, capacity).”

27 FACTS & FIGURES

FACTS & FIGURES

Data analysis Anna Omodei, Assifero

The following graphs provide data on 3. Fondazione Comunitaria del Varesotto community foundations in Italy. They are based Onlus on responses to a mid-2017 survey conducted 4. Fondazione Comunitaria del Verbano by Assifero of 21 of the 37 Italian community Cusio Ossola foundations identified in the Global Fund of 5. Fondazione Comunitaria Nord Milano Community Foundations ATLAS Onlus (http://communityfoundationatlas.org/ 6. Fondazione della Comunità Bresciana explore/#directory=1|search_foundation= Onlus italy) and two private foundations. The 7. Fondazione della Comunità Clodiense latter two are the Emmaus Foundation for 8. Fondazione della Comunità del Centro Territory and the Wanda di Ferdinando Storico di Napoli – Onlus Foundation, which are not defined as 9. Fondazione della Comunità del community foundations in their bylaws but Novarese Onlus regard themselves as community foundations 10. Fondazione della Comunità due to their hybrid nature: they are private Mantovana Onlus foundations that represent, in different 11. Fondazione della Comunità di Mirafiori spheres, a form of community philanthropy 12. Fondazione della Comunità in their territory, providing a fundamental Salernitana Onlus platform for networking among donors, local 13. Fondazione della Comunità di Monza e institutions and third-sector organizations. Brianza Onlus 14. Fondazione della Provincia di Lecco It should be noted, however, that some of Onlus the 37 community foundations in the ATLAS 15. Fondazione di Comunità del Canavese (see appendix) seem to be inactive. Some Onlus do not have a website (the Community 16. Fondazione di Comunità del Salento Foundation of Savonese Onlus and the Onlus Treviglio Rural Fund Foundation), while 17. Fondazione di Comunità di Messina others (such as the Community Foundation 18. Fondazione di Comunità San Gennaro Vicentina for the Quality of Life Onlus and 19. Fondazione di Comunità Val di Noto the Foundation of the Community of the 20. Fondazione Emmaus per il territorio Territory of Cerea Onlus) have not updated Onlus their website in some years. 21. Fondazione Provinciale della Comunità Comasca Onlus List of community foundations responding 22. Fondazione Wanda di Ferdinando to the survey (summer 2017) 23. Munus Onlus – Fondazione di Comunità di Parma 1. Fondazione Comunitaria della Valle d’Aosta Onlus 2. Fondazione Comunitaria del Ticino Olona Onlus

28 FACTS & FIGURES

Chart 1: Year of establishment

since  



 

 

before  

Chart 2: Number of inhabitants in the community

> milion 

,m 

, , 

, ,

,, 

,, 

Chart 3: Number of foundation staff

4 sta 

3 – 5 sta 

3 sta 

2 – 5 sta 

2 sta

1 sta 

Chart 4: Types of interventions

Grants ‰

Services supplied 

Social investment / investment in social enterprises 

Loans / microcredits ‰

Network building 

Other 

29 FACTS & FIGURES

A community foundation is …

“A catalyst for human, intellectual, economic and time resources to be put towards the service of a given community to support innovative solutions for the improvement of the citizens’ quality of life.”

Chart 5: Fields of intervention

Management of commons / urban regeneration 

Sport 

Welfare and social economy 

International cooperation ‰

Gender equality 

Fight against violence ‰

Environment 15

Local development 16

Unemployment 18

Arts, culture, protection of artistic heritage 19

Social services 19

Education and training 19

Poverty 20

Chart 6: Type of beneficiaries

Ex-o enders 

Unemployed 

Community 

Poor families 

Women 

Immigrants and refugees 

Elderly 

People with disabilities 

Children and youth 

30 FACTS & FIGURES

¡,, 21 ¡,, Chart 7: Net assets (in €) ¡,, of the foundation ¡,‰, (by foundation: 21 respondents) 20 ¡ ,‰ ,  ¡,‰, In 2016

¡,‰,  5 years a¢er being established 19 ¡‰,, ‰ ¡,, In the year of establishment ¡,, 18 ¡,‰ ,

¡, , 17 ¡,,‰ ¡,

¡,, 16 ¡,, ¡‰,

¡, 15 ¡ ,‰ ‰ ¡‰,

¡,, 14 ¡,, ¡,

¡ ,, 13 ¡,, ¡‰,

¡ , 12 ¡ , ¡‰,

¡‰,, 11 ¡,, ¡‰,

¡,, 10 ¡‰,, ¡,

¡‰,‰ 9 ¡, ¡ ,

¡‰,, 8 ¡‰,‰,‰ ¡,

¡‰, 7 ¡,

¡‰, 6 ¡,

¡, 5 ¡,

¡,, 4 ¡ ,, ¡,

¡,, 3 ¡‰,, ¡,

¡,, 2

¡,

¡‰‰, 1 ¡, ¡ , 31 FACTS & FIGURES

¡, 21 ¡ Chart 8: Cumulative amount granted ¡ by the foundation from its ¡, establishment until 12.31.2016 20 ¡ (by foundation: 21 respondents) ¡ ,

¡‰, In 2016 19 ¡

¡, 5 years a¢er being established

¡, In the year of establishment 18 ¡ ¡ The cumulative amount granted to ¡‰‰, community foundations by 31.12.2016 17 ¡‰‰, that responded to the survey was ¡ € 244,398,647.

¡ ,

16 ¡‰, ¡,

¡, 15 ¡ , ¡‰,

¡,, 14 ¡,, ¡

¡,, 13 ¡ ¡,

¡,‰, 12 ¡,, ¡ ‰,

¡ ,, 11 ¡, , ¡ ,

¡,, 10 ¡ ,, ¡ ,

¡,, 9 ¡ ,, ¡,‰

¡,‰, 8 ¡, , ‰ ¡,‰,‰

¡, , 7 ¡,, ¡,

¡,,‰ 6 ¡‰,, ¡,‰

¡,,  5 ¡,,‰ ¡,

¡, , 4 ¡,, ¡

¡‰,, 3 ¡,, ¡‰, 

¡‰,, 2 ¡,, ¡

¡ ,, 1 ¡ 32 ¡ FACTS & FIGURES

Chart 9: Number of designated funds from establishment of the foundation until 31.12.2016

61–70 ‰

51–60 

41–50 

31–40 

21–30

10–20 

0–9 

, 15  Chart 10: Numer of donors , contributing to ‰ endowment (in €) 14 ,  ,  Year of establishement

 5 years a¢er being established 13   In the year of establishment ‰ 12  ‰

 11  

‰ 10 

 9  

 8 ‰

 7 

 6 ‰ 

 5 ‰ 

 4  

‰ 3  ,

 2  

 1

33 FACTS & FIGURES

¡,, 17 ¡ ,‰ ,  Chart 11: Endowment (in €) ¡,‰, (by foundation)

¡ ,‰, Up to 12.31.2016 16 ¡,‰ , 5 years a¢er being established

¡,, 15 ¡,, In the year of establishment ¡,,

¡, 14 ¡,‰ ¡‰,

¡,, 13 ¡,, ¡,

¡,,  12 ¡,,‰ ¡,

¡ ,, 11 ¡,‰, ¡ ,

¡ , 10 ¡ , ¡‰,

¡‰, 9 ¡,  ¡, 

¡, ,  8 ¡‰,‰,‰ ¡,

¡, 7 ¡,

¡,‰, 6 ¡‰,, ¡,

¡,, 5 ¡ ,, ¡,

¡‰,  4 ¡ , ¡‰,

¡‰,‰ 3

¡,‰

2 ¡,,

¡, 1 ¡, ¡, 

34 FACTS & FIGURES

How community foundations in Italy define themselves

A community foundation is …

“A philanthropic broker that supports the bonds of solidarity of an area and disseminates a giving culture. It is a bridge between those who own resources and “An evolved form of social infrastructure those who develop ideas in a given area that today has the historic to resolve problems.” task of experimenting locally with new economic and social paradigms that progressively expand instrumental freedoms for the most deprived people as well as the progressive construction of social capital, environmental sustainability and beauty so as to create external constraints to the logic of profit maximization.”

“A third system between the state and the market, a social infrastructure, a connection to help the community grow, a reason for hope. While ‘foundation’ refers to the necessary consistency of the entity, ‘community’ denotes its commitment and refers to its clarity of “An entity that proposes purpose and long-term goal: the entity’s itself as a reference point activities are not simple interventions but for local philanthropy and systemic actions, not primarily funding the non-profit system of a projects but project visions, and they do given area. It can effectively not divide but rather open horizons.” contribute to the civil, social and cultural development of a community.”

Further quotations on community foundations can be found throughout this guide.

35 STORIES

STORIES FROM ITALIAN COMMUNITY PHILANTHROPY

POVERTY specific projects supporting children born in conditions of deep poverty and their families in the city of Messina. The Community With the Children: Against Foundation of Brescia is doing the same in neonatal poverty the city of Brescia. Assifero will disseminate The Community Foundation of Brescia, the results of this pilot project at both The Community Foundation of Messina national and European levels. Regions: Lombardy and Sicily EDUCATION Started in October 2017, the project involves a partnership between the Community Foundation of Messina (Sicily), Preventing dropouts the Community Foundation of Brescia The Como Region Community Onlus (Lombardy), local authorities and civil Foundation society organizations in these two regions. Region: Lombardy

The two-year project aims to eradicate neonatal poverty in the two regions. This NONUNODIMENO is a project that prevents pilot project is testing a model to combat dropouts, a phenomenon that in the Como poverty in which local authorities and local region has taken on some of the nationally communities cooperate and that can be most significant and worrying proportions. replicated in other national and European contexts. The project, initiated in 2014, was born of the realization that early departure from The project works at three levels: school has its roots in the first years of life. • The universalistic level promotes health The intervention extends from childhood to and early cognitive development the world of work (ages 0 to 30) and involves in all newborn children in the areas the entire community, which is called upon concerned. to collaborate in a tight working alliance. • The community level promotes the development of socio-economic systems The project is based on an approach called which are able to generate alternatives collective impact. All of the community’s for all newborn children and their resources are utilized to activate new families in the key areas of human well- dynamics and processes that create a more being (i.e. housing, work, education, lively and productive working environment. social relationships). In the spirit of reciprocal trust, the intention • The individual level involves care of is to encourage attention to children and children and their families living in poverty. youth and their families in Como’s regional community and stimulate all the energies The Community Foundation of Messina that can reactivate relationships that are is creating a fund to support financially not currently fully developed. The specific ethical activities and a second fund for competencies and professionalism of the

36 STORIES

people involved and the specificities of each participant serve to maximize the synergies Mechanics at school among the diverse actors and augment the The Ticino Olona Onlus Community Foun- project’s capacity. The project has assumed dation a unique form in terms of its spirit and Region: Lombardy organizational structure due to a continuous comparing of realities that are different but united by the same aim. This project established a work centre equipped with a numerical control machine and 10 CAD/CAM stations at the The ‘You are one of us’ project for Bernocchio di Legnano Institute of Superior a more innovative school Education. The new laboratory makes it The Community of Salento Foundation possible to plan and construct various Region: Puglia mechanical parts: a practical educational instrument that is a marked improvement over the previous equipment and meets The ‘You are one of us’ campaign is one the requirements of regional businesses of the projects that our small and very for suitably prepared professionals. It is a young foundation has been able to carry highly innovative project, of a total value of forward. It has received various forms of €135,000, that was achieved thanks to the support, from the collaboration of qualified contributions of 26 local companies who volunteers to support from other charitable answered the calls of the High Milanese associations. The project has initiated a series Industrial Federation and of the Cariplo of extracurricular workshops in suburban Foundation. The Cariplo Foundation itself schools, with the objective of helping children donated €68,000 to the project through the with learning or integration difficulties to Ticino Olona Foundation. improve their approach to learning. Thanks to this opportunity, and with the help of partners and associates, a number of theatrical, Youth Bank artistic and musical workshops have taken The Monza and Brianza Community place. One hundred and fifty children have Foundation participated over a three year period. Region: Lombardy

This project recently became a stable element of the activities of the foundation, and now includes various kinds of activities The Youth Bank project has the objective to and courses, including some linked to create groups, transform young people into technology and innovation, such as coding, protagonists in their own community and computational thought develop the philanthropists of tomorrow. and financial The project involves a course aimed at education. 3rd- to 5th-year students at selected secondary schools. Following the course, the children are involved in the creation

37 STORIES

and management of a finance panel for promotion of important achievements for the selection of social and cultural projects of the community, such as two social housing not-for-profit organizations in the Monza and structures for elderly and frail individuals Brianza region. The youth involved meet each (with a third in preparation). This is not-for-profit organization and evaluate the therefore not a ‘story’ born by chance but projects. Each year the foundation allocates the outcome of a longer process of close a budget to fund the selected projects. In five linkages between the foundation and the years approximately 60 students from the social dynamics of the region. Superior Institutes of Monza have participated in the management of five selection panels. WORK AND ENTERPRISE

NEET generation The Lecco Province Foundation An incubator for EUREKA 3.0 Region: Lombardy enterprises The Val di Noto Community Foundation Region: Sicily In 2015 the foundation started a fund dedicated to the Living Land Project for the support of young people not engaged in Supporting entrepreneurship through a employment, education or training (NEET) network of partners that provides instruments in their transition to adult life. In this way for the formation of new companies: this is the foundation has become a hub for the the principal aim of the business incubator gathering of territorial resources by offering ‘Eureka 3.0’ project promoted by the Val di a platform to receive contributions from Noto Foundation. The second edition of the public associations, businesses, non-profit project follows on the important results of organizations and private citizens in favour the first edition, which saw the birth of four of community and the ideas of ‘generative new companies in one year thanks to the welfare’. In two years the fund has collected network created with collaborating partners. over €1,200,000 from 470 donors. Through The incubator provides support services to this activity the foundation serves as an new businesses that operate regionally. It active entity in the region and not merely a does so through collaboration with various distributor of contributions. institutions and organizations in the area, including the Italian Industrial Federation, the Moreover, the public institutions and Confederation of Italian Cooperatives, CNA, civil society groups that could receive the Ethical Bank, the Siracusa Impact Hub, donations directly have chosen to collect Association of Accountants and Association them in the foundation fund because of the of Lawyers, and the Policoro Project. role of guarantor that the Foundation has assumed among the citizens of Lecco. This In the second edition, four new business has been made possible due to credibility ideas will be selected. Each company will the foundation has established in over receive contributions to cover the costs of 15 years of activity, including the direct conception and start-up costs for activities

38 STORIES

involving the production of goods or services. the involvement of civil society. Private Furthermore, the selected companies will citizens contributed more than 90% of the have free access to the structure and services donations. Specifically, 742 people chose of the business incubator. The training to give (as workers or independently) to the courses that are provided in collaboration cause through donations or by promoting with the partners of the project cover the or participating in activities, the proceeds core elements of marketing, management, of which were designated to support the commercial law, accounting, fiscal and tax LIFT Fund. In addition, 32 large and small law as well as access to credit. Among the regional businesses supported the project free services offered are also consultations to by promoting amongst their employees the develop the business idea, the choice of most donation of one hour’s pay to the LIFT Fund appropriate legal form, as well as assistance (‘payroll giving’) and by double matching in the formation phase and management of the collected amount. Others, public and the company. private institutions, non-profit associations, parish churches and trade unions have supported the fund through direct donations Workers and Entrepreneurs for the or internal collections of their own. The most Future of the Region revealing figure is that 46% of the fund’s The Verbano Cusio Ossola Foundation contributions came from public entities in Region: Piedmont the province and the larger and smaller mountain communities that wanted to send an important signal of support for the project This campaign for the collection of donations in addition to assisting the foundation in was initiated in 2008 to support the LIFT promoting it to citizens. Fund – Workers and Entrepreneurs for the Future of the Region, supported jointly by the Province of Verbano-Cusio-Ossola and A new social economy the Office of Commerce. It seeks to support The Community of Messina Foundation projects that help the weakest groups. The Region: Sicily campaign has the objective of involving regional businesses in an effort to assist workers and create solidarity in civil society The Community of Messina Foundation has for fellow citizens of the region who find demonstrated that there is a way out of the themselves in difficulty due to the reduction systemic economic crisis and that long-term or loss of work. local programmes in support of a social economy are sustainable. Founded in 2010, Thanks to fundraising activities for the LIFT the Community of Messina Foundation Fund, in 2009 804 regional donors were has invested €500,000 in a solar panel made aware of the initiative and donated installation that produces an environmental a total of €111,590 to the VCO Foundation. and social impact and generates funds for This represents an important result not social projects. Hundreds of families, farmers only in terms of money raised, but also and local organizations have allowed the in terms of the message of solidarity and foundation to put solar panels on their roofs

39 STORIES

to produce clean energy and, in exchange, of a small town that allows patients to conduct have agreed to provide the surplus energy an almost normal life and feel as if they are to the foundation in order to fund its social at home while receiving the treatment they programmes. Today this provides a return need. Apartments, shops, a theatre, a chapel, of €500,000 per year in one of the most a bar and a mini-market help patients to impoverished areas of Southern Italy. maintain their daily lives, and thus their residual abilities, for as long as possible. One of the recent initiatives of the Non-invasive devices are envisaged to foundation has been to mobilize local monitor the patients. The gardener, cashier donors, private equity investors and banks in and hairdresser are workers with specific order to transform an almost 100-year-old training in assisting elderly people. This is a brewery into a sustainable social company true revolution that invests as much in the that today employs around 150 people. treatment of dementia as in the welfare Since 2016, this traditional city product has of the elderly. It has been promoted by the been brought back to life by the Messina La Meridiana Two Cooperative in Monza. Brewery Cooperative (with 15 founding The foundation supports and monitors the members). Over the past two years, the completion of the project by contributing Community of Messina Foundation has to it and providing a fund dedicated to launched a public campaign to increase the collection of donations to the project. local demand for the products and A growing network of private citizens and fundraise additionally for the initiative. It businesses is coming together to back the has prepared an industrial plan together project. with the founders of the cooperative and has attracted capital worth more than €2 million. One Hope Centre The Salernitana Onlus Community Foun- dation THE ELDERLY AND PEOPLE Region: Campania WITH DISABILITIES

The Salernitana Community Foundation The Rediscovered Town supports the One Hope project to create a The Monza and Brianza Community day-care and residential centre for people Foundation with disabilities. The project was launched in Region: Lombardy 2010, following a meeting between the One Hope Association and the Foundation, and the Centre was inaugurated in December The Rediscovered Town represents an 2016. The One Hope Centre is comprised absolute innovation for Italy. Modelled on of four floors, two of which are dedicated Dutch experience, it will be the first village to accommodation and two to activities for dedicated to the care of people living young people with or without disabilities. with forms of dementia and affected by The project seeks to safeguard the rights Alzheimer’s disease. It involves establishment of people with disabilities, guarantee social

40 STORIES

inclusion, develop competencies and create a residential facility that maintains a family The Neighbourhood Nursing Clinic dimension. The Canavese Community Foundation Region: Piedmont Through the Centre, the principal role of social integration of their disabled children has been restored to families in a The Neighbourhood Nursing Clinic, a project region in Southern Italy where people with accomplished by the Bellevue Association disabilities and their families still labour to together with the municipality of Ivrea and achieve recognition and dignity. the University of Turin, has resulted in the creation of a dedicated nursing clinic in The partnership with the Salernitana which a nurse, through continual presence Community Foundation guarantees and a fixed timetable, guarantees that both the sustainability of the Centre the treatment needs of the population are and opens possibilities for involvement met. The project aims to offer free basic of the region, which donates economic nursing services (injections, medications, resources, professional competencies, blood pressure checks, blood sugar checks, material goods and hours of work. This is etc.), promote training in healthy living and due to the community foundation’s own generate a relationship of trust between characteristics: its capacity to collect and nurses and patients. enhance donations and to manage funds and assets. A special fund has also been Through a collaboration with a nursing created at the foundation to sustain the degree course (involving the presence of Centre and its activities. student interns) it also responds to the need to train community nurses who are not only capable of providing the requested services but also caring for the treatment needs of the population by listening and maintaining relationships with individuals (a third of whom are elderly people with lower- middle incomes). The benefit of the initiative has been recognized by all institutions, by doctors who practice in the area and above all by the beneficiaries of the service.

41 STORIES

SOCIAL INCLUSION Let’s Meet at Introd The Valley d’Aosta Onlus Community For Kids-orientated Music Foundation The Wanda di Ferdinando Foundation Region: Valley d’Aosta Region: Marche

The project developed around the idea For Kids-orientated Music is a social of meeting to prevent isolation and inclusion course that was strongly inspired solitude and promote socialization by the Venezuelan Abreu system and is and integration. The initiative has thus intended to prevent or combat hardship facilitated encounters between people, through music. Supported by the Wanda cultures, generations and resources in Di Ferdinando Foundation, it takes place in the region. The project also planned and eight communes in the province of Pesaro implemented various activities involving Urbino (a region with a strong musical the population not only as beneficiaries orientation) and creates a network of six but also as promoters and protagonists. non-profit associations and three public This happened in many different fields: institutions, including the illustrious G. from music to theatre, to cooking, poetry Rossini Conservatory. Among the activities and stories. The activities concluded with underway are a choir called the Choir a final event, open to the entire population, of Voices and White Hands that uses which presented the work of the preceding sign language (involving approximately months. The community responded 40 children), a children’s orchestra (with positively by engaging in dialogue and approximately 50 children between the ages interacting with the various ethnic groups of four and five), a cycle of five meetings present at the event. and five concerts held on a regional level.

The professionals involved in the initiative were trained by experts in the Venezuelan approach. Another influence in the creation of For Kids-orientated Music was the special education programme created by Johnny Gomez and Naybeth Garcia that seeks specifically to include children with disabilities in orchestras and youth choirs.

42 STORIES

the San Gennaro Community Foundation, History of the first legacy of the in collaboration with various partners, foundation promoted the restoration of two piazzas and The North Milan Onlus Community installed two works dedicated to the Prince Foundation of Laughter in his beloved neighbourhood Region: Lombardy of Sanità, one of the poorest in Europe. The improvements to these outdoor spaces and the plans for the decoration of the two The North Milan Community Foundation piazzas were proposed by the University of received its first legacy in 2015, a sum of Naples’ Department of Architecture (DIARC) approximately €115,000 that was used, as and shared with the residents of the area stipulated by Mrs Ebe Previati, to increase through a joint planning process. a fund to support disabled individuals in leading an autonomous life. The fund had Furthermore, in 2017 the foundation been created thanks to a collaboration hosted famous artists from South America between social services providers of the who involved the inhabitants of the Garbagnate district of Milan and donations neighbourhood in an exploratory phase of from many others in the area. workshops to restore the history of the place and in the operational step of painting After the loss of her husband, Ebe Previati walls. had dedicated herself to helping disabled people. It was precisely this interest that Participative street art was used as a new encouraged her to leave all her funds to tool to recognize the beauty of the area, give those who work with people in difficulty, those living there new ways of describing help them to achieve autonomy and aid it and allowing visitors to appreciate its them in the socialization process, nurture potential. In Piazza Sanità, the artist Paolo La individual dignity and self-esteem. For Mrs Motta completed a sculpture, called In-ludere, Previati living with dignity was the only that depicts a young boy, Genny Cesarano, possible way of living. killed in Sanità. In-ludere, which means ‘to play against’, represents both a warning and a hope for Sanità. NEIGHBOURHOOD REGENERATION

Art that transforms society The San Gennaro Community Foundation Region: Campania

In 2017, on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the death of Prince Antonio de Curtis – whose stage name was Totò – STORIES

Lodge Me Mirafiori Community Foundation Region: Piedmont

In the 1950s, the Mirafiori quarter in Turin Lodge Me, established in 2012 by the Aris became the destination of large-scale Association with support from the Mirafiori internal migration due to the expansion Foundation, promotes hospitality towards of industry. People arrived largely from students in private lodgings in the area of the Triveneto and from Southern Italy via Roveda, principally foreigners enrolled because of the presence of the Fiat at the Polytechnic of Turin. It seeks to Mirafiori industrial automobile plant. At respond to the temporary housing needs of the start of the 1960s, the population of the scholarship recipients, interns and doctoral neighbourhood increased tenfold, reaching students, providing controlled prices and a approximately 40,000 inhabitants. In 1962, standard registered contract. It also builds the Municipality increased the Turin House income for Mirafiori inhabitants, prevalently plan with the construction of approximately elderly people, who accommodate the 800 homes. Between 1963 and 1971, the young people. intervention of various societies resulted in the construction of an additional 17,000 The project represents a model of diffuse homes. accommodation that contributes, in a non-standard way, to management of In the 1970s, the quarter, and particularly the housing stock and revitalizes the certain streets, acquired a bad reputation, neighbourhood from a cultural standpoint that of a ‘dormitory quarter’ with a high by stimulating hospitality and curiosity population density, isolated from the among local residents about different surrounding areas and filled with inhabitants cultures. From an economic standpoint, it with social problems. Between 1999 and provides incentives for the local economy, 2006, the South Mirafiori neighbourhood resulting in renewal of the area (which is was the beneficiary of important urban mostly inhabited by elderly people). In 2017, regeneration, transformation and youth the Compagnia di San Paolo financed the initiatives and investments. project as part of its Housing Programme. This will make it possible to export the The Mirafiori Foundation, established in model in support of similar approaches in 2008, has launched numerous projects other contexts. that, after an initial experimentation period supported in terms of planning and financing by the foundation, have grown both in terms of social impact and in their ability to expand citizens’ involvement.

44 CONCLUSIONS

CONCLUSIONS

New institutions for the communities of the future Felice Scalvini, Assifero

As the authors who have contributed to Communities are like people: they all have this publication acknowledge, the journey similar elements but no two are exactly for Italian community foundations has the same. However, all communities only just begun and yet it already appears share a need for a connective fabric, to be a varied, effervescent and important factors that encourage integration, and voyage. Ever since it supported the first opportunities (given the diverse individuals pilot programme almost 20 years ago, the and organizations living and operating Fondazione Cariplo has supported the within them) to get to know one another, growth of community foundations, followed find common ground, and identify, even if by the Compagnia di San Paolo and only in specific fields, a shared project or Fondazione Con il Sud. a common goal. Without all of the above, there is no community. The movement has not only been about multiplication but, in many cases, These have been constant features in Italian about diversification. It is evident on history. Bell towers, town halls, piazzas, an international scale that community markets, schools, associations, political foundations evolve naturally into models parties, industrial zones, trade unions – these tailored to individual local communities: are all places and forms of community action rural or urban, developed or developing, which have been created, and changed and homogeneous or characterized by renewed throughout Italy’s history. They significant cultural and ethnic diversity. have made Italians who they are today. They represent a widespread social capital and network that is indispensable for a harmonious coexistence and satisfactory development not only on an economic level but also on cultural, civil and spiritual levels.

A community foundation is … Today these institutions often find themselves in crisis when facing the “It is a philanthropic body born challenges and transformations posed by from the will of a community and modernity. During every era, many things which has the task of activating change, expire and are created within appropriate actions to support communities. Sometimes these processes regional development, making bring positive results. At other times they apparent the difficulties and result in stagnation and decline, and disadvantages of a region and sometimes even in a tragic regression. building on its strengths in order The power interwoven in the fabric of to achieve real improvements at communities can be lost or take on negative the socio-economic level of the connotations: for example, if they ignore community.” the mechanisms which allow people and organizations to synchronize their interests, live and work well together, conflicts may explode.

45 CONCLUSIONS

It is for this reason that we need to build, Our hope is that – partly through the both early and on an ongoing basis, positive collective action coordinated by Assifero antibiotics for the destructive germs that – community foundations continue to each community harbours within itself. consolidate and multiply their experiences Above all, these antibiotics are represented until this produces a positive epidemic of by organizations and institutions that are community philanthropy initiatives and founded on positive values, employ working experiences in Italy. methods that have evolved over time and are in line with local contexts and current Thanks in part to the first national conference developments. of community foundations in late 2017, this is a challenge that we are confident will keep Italian community foundations have growing and become ever more shared demonstrated that they are able to be all among community foundations and with these things. They have shown that they are other stakeholders. It is also a challenge consistently able to gather and sustainably which Assifero and all of us individually will introduce positive initiatives within their endeavour to support with as much energy, local communities and advance the knowledge and passion as we can for many transformative approaches that our times years to come. demand.

A community foundation is …

“An organization that is mindful of the needs and resources of the territory in which it is based, and links local stakeholders with the different necessities that arise. It is an entity that is able to build bridges, maintain relationships, put into motion long-term sustainable mechanisms for future generations, giving rise to lasting innovative processes.”

46 PROFILE OF ASSIFERO

PROFILE OF ASSIFERO

WHO WE ARE Assifero members acknowledge the values Founded on 14 July 2003, Assifero is the and principles stated in the Charter of the national association of Italian grantmaking Principles of Accountability adopted in foundations and institutional philanthropy May 2016. organizations. These principles represent shared values Assifero has become the reference which the foundations endorse, in line with point for private philanthropy in their own mission and vision. Italy, associating the leading private foundations (family foundations, corporate MISSION foundations and community foundations) Assifero works to promote an Italian and other funders. It is a platform in institutional philanthropy that is more which knowledge, tradition, capacities, visible, informed, connected, effective and competences, connections, credibility acknowledged at all levels as a strategic and financial resources are invested into partner in sustainable human development. sustainable human development for our country. Today’s social, economic and cultural challenges are complex and can only be VISION addressed together. To increase information sharing, the exchange of knowledge, innovative approaches and INTERNATIONAL NETWORK impact assessment methodologies, to build Assifero can count on an effective relationships and collaboration in order to international network: it is a member of EFC, make Italian institutional philanthropy more the European Foundation Centre, of the informed, more connected and more effective. Donors and Foundations Networks (DAFNE), a network that consists of all national To build the visibility and reputation of Italian associations of philanthropic foundations private foundations representing the sector in Europe, the Worldwide Initiatives for in order to enhance the recognition and Grantmakers Support (WINGS), the Italian influence of Italian institutional philanthropy Alliance for Sustainable Development at national, European and global levels. (ASviS), and Ariadne – a European network of funders for human rights and social change. VALUES It is also associated to the Global Fund for Assifero identifies institutional philanthropy Community Foundations (GFCF) and to the as a social and economic environment, European Community Foundations Initiative animated by not-for-profit organizations that (ECFI). catalyze resources, largely yet not solely of an economic nature, that are derived from various In line with our four-year strategic plan, sources. They redistribute them in diverse Assiferoo ... forms – grants, investments, goods, services – • supports the development of human for the common good, social benefit, solidarity resources and organizations. Assifero and sustainable human, social, economic, seeks to reinforce the analytical, civic and cultural development. organizational and managerial

47 PROFILE OF ASSIFERO

capacities of its members and improve volunteers for one year. the performance and capacity to • Networks and relations: Assifero achieve their philanthropic mission. promotes working groups and • offers a centre of information, offers assistance to collaborative communication and knowledge sharing. programmes and funds, showcases the Assifero seeks to facilitate collaborative good practices of its associates and peer learning and knowledge exchange supports comparison and interaction among its members and between opportunities also at an international its members and other stakeholders. level. Assifero also strives to increase the • Technical support: Assifero visibility and expand the reputation offers specific legal, fiscal and and influence of Italian institutional strategic support, including in the philanthropy. implementation of the 2017 Third Sector • convenes and promotes. Assifero seeks Law reform. to enlarge the capacity of its members to carry out collaborative actions, CONTACT increase membership and provide ASSIFERO support for the establishment of new Italian Association of Grant-making private foundations. Foundations and Institutional Philanthropy • advocates and creates an enabling Via Vincenzo Bellini, 24, 00198 ROMA environment. Assifero has a medium- www.assifero.org – [email protected] – term strategy to build an enabling C.F. 97308760582 environment for effective institutional philanthropy in Italy. Assifero wishes to express its gratitude In summary, Assifero offers its associates: to ECFI, the European Community • Representation: It is increasingly Foundations Initiative, for supporting acknowledged that Assifero is able the survey and the English version of the to interact and influence different Italian Guide, and to Compagnia di San stakeholders to improve the enabling Paolo for its contribution to the realization environment for visible and effective and dissemination of the Italian version. institutional philanthropy. • Information and knowledge sharing: Assifero sends a weekly press review and a weekly newsletter to over 2000 selected contacts among its members; it organizes seminars, conferences and peer learning events for different target groups. A special thanks goes to Barbara • National Civil Service: In 2016 Assifero Leopold, Associate Director of the Center was accredited as an authorized on Philanthropy and Civil Society, The national association for the National Graduate Center of the The City University Civil Service (SCN) and can offer its of New York, who kindly reviewed the members projects to involve young English translation.

48 FURTHER INFORMATION AND LINKS

APPENDIX

ADDENDUM https://www.communityfoundations.eu/community-foundations-in-europe/atlas.html http://communityfoundationatlas.org/explore/#directory=1|search_foundation=italy

LIST OF COMMUNITY FOUNDATIONS IN ITALY

• Fondazione Comunitaria del Varesotto Onlus • Fondazione Comunitaria del Verbano-Cusio-Ossola • Fondazione Comunitaria della Provincia di Cremona Onlus • Fondazione Comunitaria della Provincia di Lodi Onlus • Fondazione Comunitaria della Valle d’Aosta Onlus • Fondazione della Comunità Bergamasca Onlus • Fondazione della Comunità Bresciana Onlus • Fondazione della Comunità Clodiense Onlus • Fondazione della Comunità del Novarese Onlus • Fondazione della Comunità di Mirafiori Onlus • Fondazione della Comunità di Monza e Brianza Onlus • Fondazione della Comunità locale ProValtellina Onlus • Fondazione della Comunità Salernitana Onlus • Fondazione Comunitaria del Lecchese Onlus • Fondazione di Comunità del Canavese Onlus • Fondazione di Comunità del Centro Storico di Napoli • Fondazione di Comunità del Salento Onlus • Fondazione di Comunità di Messina • Fondazione Provinciale della Comunità Comasca Onlus • Fondazione Santo Stefano Onlus • Munus Onlus - Fondazione di Comunità di Parma • Fondazione di Comunità Val di Noto • Fondazione Comunitaria del Ticino Olona Onlus • Fondazione Comunitaria della Riviera dei Fiori Onlus • Fondazione Comunitaria Nord Milano Onlus • Fondazione Comunitaria Savonese Onlus • Fondazione Comunitaria Terra d’Acqua Onlus • Fondazione della Cassa Rurale di Treviglio • Fondazione della Comunità del Territorio di Cerea Onlus • Fondazione della Comunità della Provincia di Mantova Onlus • Fondazione della Comunità Veronese Onlus • Fondazione di Comunità della Sinistra Piave Per La Qualità Della Vita Onlus • Fondazione di Comunità di Carmagnola • Fondazione di Comunità Vicentina per la Qualità di Vita Onlus • Fondazione Riviera Miranese • Fondazione di Comunità San Gennaro Onlus • Fondazione Comunitaria della Provincia di Pavia Onlus

49 URLS AND BRIEF DESCRIPTIONS

URLs and brief descriptions

GFCF GLOBAL FUND FOR COMMUNITY FOUNDATIONS

The Global Fund for Community Foundations (GFCF) is a grassroots grantmaker working to promote and support institutions of community philanthropy around the world. http://www.globalfundcommunityfoundations.org/

CHARLES STEWART MOTT FOUNDATION

We envision a world in which each individual’s quality of life is connected with the well- being of the community, both locally and globally. https://www.mott.org/

EFC EUROPEAN FOUNDATION CENTRE

The EFC is the platform for and champion of institutional philanthropy. With more than 200 member organizations, we aim to help nurture an environment where philanthropy can flourish as it tackles many of today’s greatest challenges. http://www.efc.be/

DAFNE DONORS AND FOUNDATIONS NETWORKS IN EUROPE

DAFNE is an informal network gathering donors and foundation associations in Europe with the aim of providing a platform to share knowledge and learn from best practices. https://dafne-online.eu/

ACRI

Established in 1912, Acri represents the joint-stock savings banks and the ‘foundations of banking origin’ that came into existence in the early 1990s pursuant to the enactment of the so-called ‘Amato’ law no. 218/90. Acri performs its activities solely in the interest of its members, both banks and foundations. It represents and protects their interests and provides operational support. https://www.acri.it/

50 ABOUT ECFI

ABOUT ECFI ² EUROPEAN COMMUNITY FOUNDATIONS INITIATIVE

The European Community Foundation • empower CFs in dealing with difficult Initiative (ECFI) is a collaborative initiative issues in their communities and own committed to strengthening and promoting development trajectories; the community foundation movement in • grow mutual solidarity and strengthen Europe. the CF field overall; • complement face-to-face interactions ECFI is hosted by the German Association with virtual spaces and online tools and of Foundations (Bundesverband Deutscher resources. Stiftungen) and is run in partnership with the Centre for Philanthropy (Centrum ECFI’S STRATEGIC PRIORITIES pre filantropiu) in Slovakia. ECFI works • Facilitating interaction and learning, with community foundations (CFs) sharing new knowledge and fostering and community foundation support collaboration among CFSOs in Europe organizations (CFSOs) primarily through to strengthen the support infrastructure facilitating and stimulating interactions to • Inspiring and facilitating growth in the enable learning, knowledge-building and CF field in Europe empowerment. ECFI is also engaged in • Stimulating CFs in Europe to exercise the mapping and analysis of CF activities their community leadership role and and in disseminating information that will collaborate on pressing issues, including facilitate development of the field. ECFI inequality, migration and climate change strives to be a central point of contact • Building and sharing knowledge about for wider engagement within the global the CF field in Europe community foundation movement. • Leveraging financial resources and other support for the development of ECFI’S THEORY OF CHANGE the CF field in Europe ECFI believes that by creating spaces and opportunities for cross-national dialogues, CONTACT relationship-building and sharing of the Anja Böllhoff experiences and practices of community [email protected] foundations and other philanthropy practitioners (on a variety of themes of James Magowan global and cross-national importance) [email protected] at various levels it will result in impact in relation to capacity, capability, connections https://www.communityfoundations.eu/ and credibility within the community home.html foundation movement. Specifically ECFI will: • facilitate individual and organizational learning and expertise; We are grateful for support from the • inspire individuals and organizations to Charles Stewart Mott Foundation, the leadership and joint action; Robert Bosch Stiftung, the Körber-Stiftung • produce practice-based knowledge; and the Lipoid Stiftung.

51 We are grateful for support from the Charles Stewart Mott Foundation, the Robert Bosch Stiftung, the Körber-Stiftung and the Lipoid Stiftung.

European Community Foundation Initiative c/o Association of German Foundations | Mauerstrasse 93 | 10117 Berlin | Germany Phone +49 (0)30 897 947-57 | Fax -91 [email protected] | www.communityfoundations.eu