Leonardo Del Vecchio Foundation and Bocconi University: €20 Million Donation

Yesterday, a historic agreement was signed between the Leonardo Del Vecchio Foundation and Bocconi University, marking the first time a fund has been established to ensure continuous access to high-quality education for talented young individuals from disadvantaged economic backgrounds.

This agreement was strongly supported by Nicoletta Zampillo Del Vecchio, President of the Leonardo Del Vecchio Foundation, and Francesco Billari, Rector of Bocconi University. Also present at the signing were Andrea Sironi, President of Bocconi University, and Riccardo Taranto, Managing Director.

The Leonardo Del Vecchio Students Award fund, endowed with €20 million, includes an initial €1 million, which last year financed the education of 14 students. The remaining €19 million has been donated to Bocconi University to permanently establish scholarships. The fund will annually support at least 10 economically disadvantaged students who pass the mandatory admission test.

Nicoletta Zampillo Del Vecchio, explains: "I had the immense privilege of living alongside a man with strong principles and an extraordinary vision for the future. Through the creation of the Foundation, Leonardo sought to establish a tool that would positively impact society. My commitment is to ensure that his vision is passed on and grows stronger over time. In addition to healthcare, where we have already initiated important projects together, we are particularly focused on education, as young people are our future. Leonardo always believed in them. As a Foundation, we aim to support young people so that everyone, without barriers, can access the best education and contribute to building a new society and more inclusive leadership. For this reason, and having found in Rector Billari a leader who shares the values of the university’s founder – values so close to my husband’s principles – the Foundation has chosen Bocconi as the first institution to launch this initiative. As with all the projects we fund, I will closely follow its development. Above all, I will be close to the students who receive the Leonardo Del Vecchio scholarships: they need to know we are here to support them in realizing their dreams. We are rooting for them."

Bocconi University’s Rector, Francesco Billari, emphasized: "Bocconi, founded in 1902 through the foresight and generosity of an entrepreneur, Ferdinando Bocconi, is a non-profit institution with the ambition of making a positive impact on people and society. An entrepreneur and philanthropist, Bocconi shared with Del Vecchio the awareness and desire to support communities, particularly the younger generations, who year after year carry the torch of change. The Leonardo Del Vecchio Students Award is the culmination of this shared mission and values. A historic and permanent agreement that will forever enable students from economically disadvantaged families to choose our university, as long as they meet the necessary merit requirements. Meritocratic, accessible and inclusive: through this agreement, Bocconi reconnects with its DNA and the values of its founder."