Venice Foundation

Venice Foundation

Venice Foundation was established in 1992 as the successor entity to Cassa di Risparmio di Venezia. Michele Bugliesi serves as chairman; Giovanni Dell'Olivo acts as director general. The foundation maintains its headquarters at Palazzo Flangini in Cannaregio. Capital is deployed across real estate, listed equities, and private holdings. Confirmed positions include a stake in Cassa Depositi e Prestiti S.p.A., shares in Intesa Sanpaolo S.p.A., and a 7.91 percent interest in Banca Sistema S.p.A. The foundation also holds 100 percent of Polymnia Venezia S.r.l. and M9 District S.r.l., which oversee the M9 Museum Complex and related urban regeneration sites in Mestre. Geographic focus remains Italy, with primary activity in the Veneto region and secondary exposure through national financial holdings. The foundation reports 558 million USD in assets. It maintains three adjacent philanthropic vehicles: Fondazione M9, Fondazione Venezia Servizi alla Persona, and Venice Sustainability Foundation. In May 2024 the foundation served as partner for the Venice Architecture Biennale, presenting updates on the M9 project. Ownership of dedicated operating companies for museum operations and real estate management creates a hybrid structure that combines grant-making with direct project execution. This architecture separates investment decisions from the foundation's statutory cultural and social mandates.