Stavros Niarchos Found-ation Supports Charities

The Foundation seeks to provide contributions that have the potential to add value in a significant way. Within each program category, the Foundation supports initiatives that feature strong leadership and sound management and that can demonstrate a tangible impact over time. The Foundation hopes to foster exchange and collaboration among recipient institutions by supporting a broad range of organizations across its target program areas in locations around the world.

The Foundation places particular emphasis on endeavors that address education, social welfare, and health issues for underserved populations, with special attention given to programs for children and the elderly. Selectively, the Foundation also seeks to support programs within and outside Greece that promote, maintain, and preserve Greek heritage and culture.

Foundation grants include, as appropriate, funds for operating and program support as well as funds for select capital projects and endowments. A limited number of grants in areas of long standing interest to the donor or that are deemed to be of special interest to the donor's family are also made. No grants are made to individuals.

Since its inception in 1996, the Stavros Niarchos Foundation has provided total grant commitments of US$334,594,887 with 1,561 grants in 85 nations around the world to various not-for-profit organizations.

Recent Projects

University of Ioannina (see photo)

For the International Center of Hellenic Culture and Vocational Training. The center operates as an autonomous guest house for 130 people, complete with teaching rooms, laboratories for trainees, space for cultural and artistic events and a theater.

The goals of the ICHCVT are:

A. To support teaching of the Greek language to foreigners and to provide facilities for teaching international languages such as English and Russian.
B. To promote Greek-European culture and the understanding of local traditions, and the traditions of other countries.
C. To support cultural activities presented by Greek and foreign groups.
D. To train young people in professions that will address needs in the Balkan Peninsula and the countries of the Black Sea Region.
E. To train students and young scientists from the "West" on problems and possible professional opportunities in countries in a transitional economy.
F. To organize support for international scientific conferences, cultural meetings and festivals.

Greek Culture in China
In honor of the Cultural Year of Greece in China, the Stavros Niarchos Foundation is supporting two significant cultural events in Olympic- and post-Olympic Beijing.
The exhibition “Agon: The Spirit of Competition in Ancient Greece,” on view from August 4th to October 22nd, will offer visitors the opportunity to examine some of the oldest and most important artifacts, such as sculptures, vases, artworks and coins, linked to the notion of “Agon,” the spirit of keen competition. The exhibition, which will be held at the Capital Museum in Beijing, will coincide with the 29th Modern Olympic Games.

“Horizons” – Human and Cultural Activities
The exhibition “The Influence of Ancient Drama in Opera and the Beijing Opera” will be inaugurated on September 11th at the Beijing Opera House. The exhibits will include costumes, masks and scale mock-ups of ancient Greek theaters. The exhibition is being co-produced with the Chinese authorities and represents China’s first collaboration with Greece on such an event.