The Bellagio Center/

The Bellagio Center Convening Program

Now Accepting 2025 Convening Applications

For more than 110 years, The Rockefeller Foundation has brought people from around the globe together to try to solve the world’s most challenging problems and promote the well-being of humanity. Convenings are an important part of how the Foundation realizes its mission by leveraging our reputation, knowledge, and relationships. The centerpiece of this is the Bellagio Center, where we annually host approximately 1,000 people through 60 convenings and 120 month-long residencies.

Convenings at the Bellagio Center have a storied history of advancing ideas and catalyzing new action to drive positive and far-reaching social change. The Bellagio Center has launched Gavi, The Vaccine Alliance; the Consultative Group for International Agricultural Research (CGIAR), the Global Impact Investing Network (GIIN), the Global Energy Alliance for People and Planet (GEAPP), and many other transformative initiatives.

Successful Convenings:

  • Demonstrate the potential to advance a solution that will have a positive impact on humanity following the convening
  • Hinge on a clear, specific, and compelling charitable purpose that will improve the lives of underserved and vulnerable populations
  • Engage diverse stakeholders necessary for success before, during, and after the convening
  • Timely and centered during a moment that helps catalyze impact

How We Support Convenings:

  • Convening strategy and design support
  • Modest travel support for eligible participants
  • Ground transportation from Milan to the Bellagio Center
  • A dedicated on-site convening lead
  • Lodging, food, and tech support

We’re accepting applications for the 2025 Bellagio Center Convening Program. The application deadline is June 14th, 2024, by 5:00 pm EDT.  Please read more about the program and the application themes below.

Application Themes:

  • Addressing Climate Change
    Climate change must be addressed through energy systems, health systems, food systems, financial systems, and policy. Under this theme, we’ll support leaders and organizations working on solutions to address climate change in these ways.
  • Building Vibrant, Connected, and Resilient Societies
    Humans thrive when we recognize that all our futures are inherently intertwined. Under this theme, we’ll support leaders and organizations addressing the challenges of building vibrant, connected, and resilient societies.
  • General Open Call
    The General Open Call is for convenings that don’t align with Addressing Climate Change or Building Vibrant, Connected, and Resilient Societies. These convenings can be focused on any issue but must demonstrate a compelling charitable purpose.
  • For small ideas, you can go to any retreat, but to think expansive, fearless ideas and then design something innovative and courageous to put them into practice, there is no place like Bellagio.
    Seth Berkley
    CEO, Gavi
    The Vaccine Alliance

Gender Equality

Women are agents of change. Across continents and sectors, women are advancing equality to address the most pressing issues of our time, from climate change to political empowerment and human rights.

Read the latest issue

The History of the Bellagio Center

The Bellagio Center has a record of major impact, from convenings that led to the Global AIDS vaccine initiative, to residencies that have furthered the work of some of the world’s leading thinkers and creators.

Learn More
Back to Top