The Bellagio Center Convening Program

For more than 110 years, The Rockefeller Foundation has brought people together around the globe 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 bringing together leaders from around the world to advance ideas and catalyze 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.

We are no longer accepting applications for the 2024 Bellagio Center Convening Program. Themes for our 2024 convening program included the Addressing Climate Change, Reinventing Capitalism, Promoting Well-Being, or Open Call tracks. Please read more about each theme below.

Application Themes

Addressing Climate Change
The Addressing Climate Change theme is for convenings that will change systems and provide pathways to mitigate and adapt to the worst effects of climate change.
Reinventing Capitalism
The Reinventing Capitalism theme is for convenings that will reimagine economic systems, improve development finance practices, and innovate on the basic tenets of our global economy in order to build a more just, equitable, and sustainable world.
Promoting Well-Being
The Promoting Well-Being theme is for convenings that will reorient social, political, and economic systems toward balanced economic growth and consumption as a means to a diverse set of more important ends such as community, safety, nature, creativity, and freedom.
Open Call
The open call theme is for convening organizers working across any global development issue. While applications can be based on any topic, they must demonstrate a clear potential to result in impact following the convening.

Because of Bellagio

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

Successful Convenings:

Demonstrate the potential to result in impact following the convening
Hinge on a clear, specific, and compelling purpose
Engage diverse stakeholders necessary for success during and after the convening
Are timely and centered during a moment that helps catalyze impact
More information on what makes successful convenings here

How We Support:

Convening design resources, to help maximize the experience and impact of your convening
Modest travel support for eligible participants
Ground transportation from Milan to the Bellagio Center
A dedicated convening lead on-site, as well as amenities such as lodging, food, AV etc.
More information on our support offerings  here

Facilities and Accommodations
The Bellagio Center operates two separate buildings for convenings, the Frati and the Sfondrata. Each convening will be assigned one of the buildings based on the number of participants.