Community foundations

We support the creation of community foundations across Southern Italy to help local communities become more united and supportive. These foundations are key drivers of sustainable local development and well-being built on collective responsibility.

Discover active foundations
Learn how to create one

A model of participation and responsibility

Supporting community foundations is a strategic priority for us, as they strengthen social cohesion processes to promote community growth and well-being. Community foundations rely on the aggregation and collaboration of local organizations and institutions. Capable of mobilizing resources, they unlock their value through prudent asset management and reinvest them locally in social projects that promote a culture of solidarity and giving.

Community foundations supported in Southern Italy

We have supported the creation of the first seven community foundations in Southern Italy: in the historic centre of Naples and in Rione Sanità in Naples, in Salerno, in Benevento, in Messina, in the Val di Noto, and in the provinces of Agrigento and Trapani in Sicily.

Would you like to create a community foundation?

We work alongside local communities in Southern Italy that wish to create a community foundation: a strategic tool whose purpose is not to fund individual initiatives already under way, but to offer third-sector organizations an institutional channel that multiplies access to philanthropic resources. Seen this way, a community foundation is not a mere fundraising vehicle, but the custodian of an ethic of care devoted to the civic development of its area. For further details, please consult the 'Regulations'. Below are the key steps in setting up and developing a community foundation.

Involving the local community

A community foundation begins by listening to the local area and involving citizens, third-sector organizations, businesses and institutions that wish to work together for the development and well-being of their community.

Fundraising and governance

Setting up a community foundation requires raising an initial endowment and resources for social projects, a plurality of donors, and a governance led by the third sector and representative of the local area.

From ideas to projects

The resources raised support social, cultural and educational initiatives that respond to the community's needs. Every initiative is designed to generate lasting impact and strengthen local networks.

Responsibility and transparency

Careful management of the endowment, the monitoring of results and a long-term vision ensure autonomy and an efficient use of resources.

Our support

Fondazione con il Sud can support the establishment of new community foundations in Southern Italy by matching the initial resources raised for the endowment and those for grantmaking and fundraising activities.

Regulations

Download the regulations

Would you like to see the initiatives and calls for proposals currently open?

Visit the page dedicated to the other opportunities and forms of support, to launch initiatives capable of generating social impact in Southern Italy.

Volunteering

Bando Volontariato 2026

Rivolto a organizzazioni di volontariato e associazioni di promozione sociale di Basilicata, Calabria, Campania, Molise, Puglia, Sardegna e Sicilia, il bando mette a disposizione 4 milioni di euro per sostenerne le attività ordinarie. Scade il 30 settembre.

Resources: 4 milioni di euro
Deadline: 30/09/2026
Find out more
Closed Bando Volontariato 2026
Social housing

Benvenuti a casa – Bando per l’housing sociale al Sud

Torna con la seconda edizione “Benvenuti a casa”, il bando promosso dalla Fondazione con il Sud per sostenere progetti sperimentali che contrastino la povertà abitativa nelle regioni del Sud Italia, proposti dalle organizzazioni di Terzo Settore di Basilicata, Calabria, Campania,…

Resources: 5.000.000 €
Deadline: 28/05/2026
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Closed Benvenuti a casa – Bando per l’housing sociale al Sud
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