The Fondazione di Venezia is an independent and innovating entity. Its mission is to help improve the quality of life and social and cultural advancement of the Venetian people.
In order to pursue this aim, the Fondazione di Venezia has radically altered its work approach in recent years, becoming an active partner and a new body, capable of guaranteeing the production cycle from initiative conception to working management.
Rejecting all tendencies towards patronage pure and simple, the Fondazione di Venezia has rigorously embarked on an entrepreneurial path to create new initiatives of its own design and under its direct management. This work approach calls for a wide spectrum of expertise and, to this end, the Fondazione is constantly investing in the training of aides and operates through its own companies, structured to provide the necessary professionalism.

The Fondazione works in three main sectors:

• Primary, secondary and, in collaboration with the Ca' Foscari and IUAV universities, university and advanced training while, at the same time, supporting the insertion of young people into the work world with training periods and internships (approx. 20,000 young people involved in various activities every year);
• Assets and cultural activities, favouring the enjoyment and management of the historical-artistic heritage and the promotion of the performing arts. Via its company Polymnia Venezia, as well as the M9 project, the Fondazione is supervising the restoration and refurbishment of Palazzo dei Tre Oci in the Giudecca, one of the most significant expressions of 20th-century Venetian architecture, giving back to the city what was a major cultural point of reference for a whole century;
• Scientific research, by promoting the transfer of technology from the universities to business and developing research centres in the area.

The Fondazione is striving to exploit the area's economic potential by backing targeted study activities (e.g. OECD report 2010) and working with the public administration on initiatives such as the Strategic Plan and Venice's participation in Expo 2010 Shanghai.
It has put down local roots by becoming involved in Community Foundations: the Fondazione Santo Stefano in Portogruaro, the Fondazione della Comunità Clodiense, the Fondazione Terra d'Acqua for the San Donà di Piave area and the Fondazione Riviera-Miranese.
Working with institutions, public administrations, associations, non-profit bodies and other players in civil society, the Fondazione di Venezia acts to bring people together and promote innovation by devising and realising initiatives with and for the local area.