Fondazione Banca del Monte di Lucca

The Banca del Monte di Lucca Foundation (BMLucca Foundation) was established on 1 June 1992, when the banking activities of the public-law credit institution were transferred to Banca del Monte di Lucca Bank, Inc.

Its roots lie in the spread, during the second half of the fifteenth century, of institutions called Monti di Pietà, whose purpose was to combat the practice of usury in an age (the early Renaissance) when the differences in income and standard of living between the social classes were growing more and more dramatic. It is within this context that Fra’ Bernardino da Feltre contributed to the establishment of Lucca’s Monte di Pietà, which was founded by the Republic of Lucca in 1489.

In 2003, the Banca del Monte di Lucca Foundation undertook the restoration of a building in the historical centre of Lucca to host its own activities and those of local organisations. The foundation’s headquarters comprise an Auditorium and several rooms used for art and cultural exhibitions and conferences.

Mission

The BMLucca Foundation is essentially a grantmaking foundation. Its mission is to pursue social welfare projects in the areas of education, arts and heritage, support weak social classes, foster cultural activities and protect the environment, in order to favour and encourage the creation and development of productive activities and the enhancement of economic resources, particularly in the Province of Lucca.

Programme Areas

The foundation focuses its activities in the following areas (although they are periodically revised):

  • Art, archaeological, historical and cultural heritage
  • Education, learning and training
  • Local development and environmental protection
  • Welfare and supporting weak social classes
  • Creation and development of productive activities and the enhancement of economic resources

For further information please visit www.fondazionebmlucca.it