Mission
Vision
Our story
The Andrea Bocelli Foundation, Ente Filantropico, was established in July 2011 inspired by the desire of Maestro Bocelli and his family to give back a measure of the love and support that they had received over the course of his career spent traveling around the world.
Believing that “unity signifies strength and that we can do much alone, but much more together,” it was natural to transform this concept into a structured approach by establishing a Foundation that could provide tangible aid to others.
Today,the Andrea Bocelli Foundation strives to be a living laboratory. One that is made up of many individual, yet generous members who come together from every corner of the world to work drive our mission and impact forward.
Combining forces is the successful mission that lies behind this exciting project: to tangibly help our neighbors, by achieving the priceless privilege of making ourselves useful by providing the best possible quality support.
2011July 14th
The Andrea Bocelli Foundation is born
In Lajatico was founded the Andrea Bocelli Foundation. The President’s role was entrusted to Dr. Laura Biancalani.
2011November
“MIT 5th Sense” project
The Foundation officially launched , during its visit in Los Angeles, and gave the start to the program Challenges with the “MIT 5th Sense”.
20126th and 10th July
Work days for Challenges and Break the Barriers programs
The Foundation organized in Pisa the first two days of work related to its intervention programs: Challenges and Break the Barriers. International exponents of the world of scientific and technological research, as well as of the social business.
2012July
Fundraising initiative for “La Lucciola”
For the occasion of the Teatro del Silenzio, the Foundation launched its first fundraising initiative in the favor of the Day Center for people with disabilities “La Lucciola” of Stuffione di Ravarino, badly damaged by the earthquake in Emilia in May of that year.
2012September
Virginia project inauguration
The Foundation inaugurated the Virginia project conceived to implement the department of Neonatology of the Pediatric Hospital of St. Damien in Tabarrè, Haiti.
2012October
Haitian children visiting the Foundation
A delegation of children coming from Haiti accompanied by Father Rick Frechette met the Andrea Bocelli Foundation and the Founder and his family in Forte dei Marmi.
201224th December
Christmas Dinner for homeless guests
At the reception shelter San Paolino in Florence, in collaboration with Caritas the Andrea Bocelli Foundation organized Christmas Dinner for homeless guests.
2013April
ABF for Syria Emergency
The Foundation responded to the International humanitarian appeal to send help, to the Syrian people on the run and cooperating with UNHCR supported the purchasing of basic necessities for the refugee camps.
2013May 1st
Opening of the childhood school Sacro Cuore” in Finale Emilia
The Foundation participated to the opening of the childhood school Sacro Cuore” in Finale Emilia rebuilt after the earthquake thanks also to the contribution of its Founder Maestro Bocelli.
2013June
Meeting with Pope Francis
The Andrea Bocelli Foundation and the Founder’s family met Pope Francesco on a private audience, and started a collaboration with the Papal Charities Offices related to common projects in Italy to support people in need.
2013June
ABF in Haiti
A delegation of the Foundation went on a mission to Haiti to identify and plan new development projects. Then the President Biancalani visited the MIT in Boston to supervise the progress of the project “MIT 5th Sense”.
201326th June
Meeting with Pope Francis on a private audience
The Andrea Bocelli Foundation and the Founder’s family met Pope Francis on a private audience, and started a collaboration with the Papal Charities Offices related to common projects in Italy to support people in need.
2013July
Wheat 2013-2014 Haiti project opening
As a part of the Break the Barriers Program opened the project Wheat 2013-2014, Haiti by means of which the Foundation supports the work of teachers in the schools of St. Philomene, St. Agustin and Notre Dame du Rosaire as well as the drinking water distribution service in the slums of Citè Soleil.
201325th July
Andrea Bocelli received the Humanitarian Award
Andrea Bocelli received in Hamburg the Humanitarian Award of the Lions International for the Andrea Bocelli Foundation.
2013September
First day of the ABF Volunteers.
The Foundation opened the first day of the ABF Volunteers.
201324th October/span>
Laura Biancalani received the ARNo award
The President Laura Biancalani received the ARNo award for solidarity.
20136th December
MIT-ABF partnership evening
An evening dedicated to the partnership MIT-ABF and to the 10th Anniversary J-Pal (The Abdul Latif Jameel Poverty Action Lab) at the Grey House, the MIT President home, in Cambridge, Boston.
20136th December
ABF-MIT Seminars
The Andrea Bocelli Foundation and the MIT presented in Boston two seminars related to the two intervention programs Challenges and Break the Barriers. For their cultural, innovation, and development value, they were included in the official Program for the celebrations of the Year of Italian culture in the United States. Web link
2014April
Edu Project
ABF opened along with the Fondation St. Luc in Haiti the EDU project for the conversion of the street schools of St. Augustin, St. Philomene and Notre Dame du Rosaire into functional structures with large classrooms, computer labs, a library, and canteens, in order to raise the level of education and services to that of national and international standards.
2014June
Construction of the new St. Philomene school begins
Laying of the foundation stone of the new school of St. Philomene in Kenscoff.
2014September
Celebrity Fight Night Foundation in Florence
The Andrea Bocelli Foundation welcomed in Italy the delegation of the Fondation St. Luc and together they participated to the events organized by Celebrity Fight Night Foundation in Florence.
2014November
2nd truck for ABF Water Truck project
ABF continues its project of drinking water distribution in the slums renewing the project “ABF Water Truck” and increasing the number of trucks from 1 to 2.
2014December
Iraq Emergency
ABF responded to the International appeal of UNHCR in support of refugees from Iraq contributing to the purchase of electric blankets and tanks to transport water.
2014December
Andrea Bocelli and Veronica Berti received the UNCA prize
Andrea Bocelli and Veronica Berti received from the Secretary-General of the United Nations Ban Ki-Moon the UNCA prize for their humanitarian commitment through the Andrea Bocelli Foundation.
2015January
Andrea Bocelli received the Crystal Award
Andrea Bocelli received, in Davos, for his humanitarian work with the Andrea Bocelli Foundation the World Economic Forum’s Crystal Award.
2015April
Inaugurazion of St. Philomene and Notre Dame du Rosaire schools
ABF and its Founder inaugurated in Haiti the schools of St. Philomene and Notre Dame du Rosaire.
2015May
3.COM Project
The development of “3.COM” project started in Haiti with specific intervention in the communities of Kenscoff, Croix-des-Bouquets and Abricot with the aim of giving access to water, electricity and agri-economic development.
2015June
Inauguration of St. Augustin school
Inauguration of St. Augustin school giving access to education for more than 750 children.
2015September
World Meeting of Families
Andrea Bocelli Foundation in Philadelphia for Pope Francis and the World Meeting of Families.
2015September
2nd edition of the Celebrity Fight Night
2nd edition of the Celebrity Fight Night. Over a hundred donors and many international guests together to support the projects of the Andrea Bocelli Foundation and the Muhammad Ali Parkinson Center.
2015October
EXPO Milano 2015
ABF and MIT as civil society participants in EXPO 2015 in Milan together for a workshop entitled “Working together to grow food for the body, the mind, the heart. The resources of the human potential
201615th March
Launch of the “Voices of Haiti” Project
ABF and the Fondation St Luc have introduced music into the curriculum of the ABF-FSL schools and created a choir of 60 talented students: all to offer an additional element to enhance their potential.
201620th June
Launch of the “ABF Mobile Clinic”
Every 3 months, 2 doctors and 3 nurses travel to the 5 communities in which ABF works to provide basic healthcare and offer prevention activities to students, their families and members of the communities.
201722nd March
Launch of the ERCI-EDU project
The Foundation supports the linguistic and cultural integration of the Elpidia Project by providing the digital tools for its work.
2017December
Rebuilding of the St. Augustin School in Haiti – after Hurricane Matthew
Restoration and reinforcement work on the foundations and roof.
20182nd May
Inauguration of the “G. Leopardi” middle school in Sarnano
ABF opens its first rebuilding project following on from the 2016 earthquake and inaugurates the new school facility in just 150 working days.
201815th June
Inauguration of the Ecole Manitane School in Dame Marie, Haiti
In June, the Foundation – along with the Fondation St Luc – inaugurated the fifth school built to accommodate up to 400 students.
201929th May
The Music Festival in Sarnano “YES, LET’S MAKE MUSIC TOGETHER”
A year after the inauguration of the new school building, the Foundation organizes a day dedicated to music with the community, the students of Sarnano and those who come from the areas of the earthquake crater.
201926th June
Inauguration of the “E. De Amicis” elementary school and pre-school in Muccia
On June 26, after 150 days of construction work, the new school in Muccia was inaugurated, which houses special classrooms dedicated to music, art and sustainability.
201913th November
Launch of Voices of the World & ABF at the UNESCO “Symphony 2030: Creative Art Education for Inclusion”
ABF signs a partnership agreement with UNESCO in order to promote music as an additional element for expressing one’s potential and as a tool to facilitate inclusion and integration.
201923rd November
Scholarship for the “Royal College of Music” with the Community Jameel
Established to offer access to one of the most prestigious training and specialization courses in the world to talented young people.
201926th November
ABF Music Lab – Zerosei Center in Lajatico
ABF shapes the spaces of the school by inserting the role of an atelerista to provide musical and artistic workshops.
202016th March
“ABF with You, for the COVID-19 emergency”
ABF decides to launch a fundraiser to support hospitals in the areas in which it works.
202027th April
ABF With You, to Shape the Future”
The Foundation launches the project dedicated to the digitalization of education.
20207th September
Launch of H-Labs: ABF for Hospital Schools
The Foundation signs a Memorandum of Understanding with the Italian Ministry of Education and the Italian Pediatric Hospitals Association (AOPI) network to create digital workshops and suitable educational spaces within children’s hospitals.
20201st October
Inauguration of the “Franco Corelli” Music Academy in Camerino
Despite the enforced stop to work due to the COVID-19 emergency, ABF kept its promise to build the new facility within 150 days.
202124th January
Inauguration of ABF’s new headquarters in “San Firenze” & the ABF GlobaLab
ABF moves its new headquarters to the second floor of the San Firenze Complex, dedicating a section to creating the vocational workshops for young people aged 16-25 years.
20215th May
“Andrea Bocelli Humanitarian Award” given to Pope Francis
ABF’s Founder Andrea Bocelli, Vice-Chair Veronica Berti Bocelli and President Laura Biancalani present the “Andrea Bocelli Humanitarian Award” to His Holiness Pope Francis as a symbolic gesture of our esteem and admiration.
2021July
10 years of ABF
The Andrea Bocelli Foundation celebrates its 10th anniversary of “Empowering People & Communities” with a celebratory video-mapping show projected onto the facade of the San Firenze Complex.
20211st September
With You, to Shape the Future – Let’s Rebuild the San Ginesio Vocational School
ABF launches its 4th rebuilding project after the 2016 earthquake that hit Central Italy, which follows on from the schools in Sarnano, Muccia and Camerino.
202114th December
Opening Bell ceremony at NASDAQ
For the first 10 years of ABF’s mission of “empowering people and communities”, our Founder, Chair Stefano Aversa, Vice-Chair Veronica Berti Bocelli, President Laura Biancalani and Amos Bocelli, ABF Junior Research Group Leader, took part in the Opening Bell ceremony at NASDAQ today, December 14.
202224th January
Meeting with the Italian Education Minister Patrizio Bianchi
The meeting of our Founder Andrea Bocelli with the Italian Education Minister Patrizio Bianchi, the Mayor of Florence Dario Nardella, our Vice-Chair Veronica Berti Bocelli and our President Laura Biancalani at ABF’s headquarters in San Firenze in occasion of the International Day of Education 2022.
202211th March
With You, for a Future of Peace
The Andrea Bocelli Foundation launches a fundraiser to offer tangible support for the emergency caused by the Russian-Ukraine conflict. In addition to providing basic essentials, in collaboration with the UNHCR the Foundation has set up a reception and integration project for mothers and children.
202222nd March
Presentation of the new IPSIA “R. Frau” in San Ginesio
The official presentation of the new IPSIA “R. Frau” facility in San Ginesio, Sarnano. The rebuilding project of San Ginesio High School, the fourth ABF aid project after the 2016 earthquake in Central Italy, sees the construction of a school complex in accordance with the guidelines of the team of experts of the Foundation in consultation with the Offices of the Commissioner for Reconstruction.
202229th March
Welcomed the first Ukrainian families
ABF has welcomed the first Ukrainian families thanks to the “With You, To Shape A Future Of Peace” project: the aim is to offer a safe environment where these families can start again and find a new daily life.
The project was achieved thanks to the spirit of solidarity and community of the towns of Muccia, Pieve Torina, and San Ginesio in the Marche region.
202228th July
ABF Voices of Peace – Italy
The 30 choristers from the “ABF Voices of Peace – Italy” project launched a message of peace and hope from the stage of the Teatro del Silenzio in Lajatico, together with our Founder Andrea Bocelli.
202212th December
Empire State Building
On December 12, 2022, the Empire State Building’s Tower Lights were lit in blue and white in recognition of the Foundation’s innovative music education program, “ABF Voices of”.
202324th January
ABF Educational Center for Hospital Schools
The “ABF Educational Center for Hospital Schools“ was presented on the International Day of Education 2023! The ABF Educational Center represents the third step in the ABF H-Lab project, which will be launched as a pilot project at Meyer Children’s Hospital in Florence.
Board of Directors
Our board oversees the Foundation’s strategic direction. It, approves activity guidelines , oversees fund granting, establishes the criteria for promoting and developing initiatives, and ensures financial sustainability and transparency.
Stefano Aversa
Veronica Berti
Laura Biancalani
Amos Bocelli
Alberto Bocelli
Giovanni Lega
Maurizia Iachino
Boardsof Auditors
Controlling body whose task is to verify general accountancy, regular book-keeping and matching balance with accountancy. Its members are enrolled in the Auditors’ register:
Deborah Sassorossi
Stefano Monti
Guido Del Bue
The Team
Silvia Gualdani
Olimpia Angeletti
Aurora Mondavi
Erika Merluzzo
Simone Pomilia
Flavia Ionni
Guia Galeotti
Barbara Castellano
Stefania Caliò
ADVISORY BOARD
Prof. Mohammed Yunus
Prof. Laura Giarrè
Prof. Eliana La Ferrara
Ing. Mohammed Abdul Latif Jameel
Elena Pirondini
Flavio Siniscalchi
Fiorella Passoni
ABF AMBASSADORS
The Country Ambassadors are people who have been chosen for their reputation or recognized talent and expertise in the social world, the arts, culture, and science. They are men and women who have a deep desire to help our Foundation and who give part of their time to promote fund raising or help in identifying and supporting projects in line with the aims of our Foundation.
Maria Manetti Shrem
Sabrina Ferry
Beyhan Bagis
Elena Brunelli
Maria Iride Crippa
Paola Rovellini
ABF ADVOCATES
ABF Advocates are Italian and international celebrities – artists, writers, athletes, and other public figures – who support the Foundation’s mission and make their platform and talents available to ABF in order to support its work and spread its results and goals. ABF Advocates are engaged on a free basis and do not receive any renumeration for their work. Their participation is motivated by our shared values, intentions and the desire to contribute to the creation of projects to empower people and communities.
Our Values
The Andrea Bocelli Foundation works in strict adherence to a selection of key values, which can be summed up in the following five “Cs”:
Courage to believe in change
Care or caring for people that we support, becoming aware of their needs and unexpressed strengths
Concreteness in providing tangible and measurable solutions
Competence to ensure our actions are efficient
Cooperation to bring together aspiration and requirements, through philanthropic aid activities so that anyone, young or old, can participate and make their own small contribution leveraging human, material and/or economic resources.
The key value that sums up our 5Cs is TRUST. The trust we aspire to and the trust we ask for, the trust we give, and the trust we live by.