a panel discussion on “Food is Medicine in the Veterans Health Administration” in Washington, DC. Six speakers sit at a long table with microphones and water bottles, while a moderator stands at a podium beside an American flag. A large screen behind them displays the event title.

Changing the World, Together

Convenings offer a unique opportunity to forge collaborations and transform ideas into action. The Rockefeller Foundation designs convenings to achieve breakthroughs that reshape global systems and meaningfully impact the well-being of people in every part of the planet.

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Are you ready to turn your idea into action? We host week-long convenings at The Bellagio Center to help innovative leaders strengthen solutions and build partnerships needed for system-level change. Sign up for our newsletter to stay up to date on the next application deadline.

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History of Convenings

Learn more about our historic convenings that have launched organizations and built transformative solutions.

1969

Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research

Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR), the world’s largest agricultural research network, got its start during a series of Bellagio meetings over fifty years ago. Today, it unites 15 top-tier research centers to address climate resilience, food insecurity and other pressing challenges in agriculture.

1999

The Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunization (GAVI)

The Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunization (known as Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance) helps vaccinate more than half the world’s children against deadly and debilitating infectious diseases. It all started at a 1999 Bellagio convening.

2007

Global Impact Investing Network (GIIN)

The field of Impact investing — and the term to describe it — got its start at two Bellagio convenings. The Foundation set the stage in 2007-'08, leading to the 2009 creation of the Global Impact Investing Network (GIIN), an independent nonprofit which connects a diverse network of investors committed to generating social and environmental impact alongside financial returns.

2021

Global Energy Alliance for People and Planet (GEAPP)

We believe connecting everyone to renewable, reliable electricity is the defining task of our time. In 2021, after a pivotal convening at our Bellagio Center, we helped launch the Global Energy Alliance for People and Planet (GEAPP), which aims to unlock $100 billion in funding. Since its launch at COP26, GEAPP has invested and committed $464 million to 130 projects in 40 countries.

History of Convenings

Learn more about our historic convenings that have launched organizations and built transformative solutions.

1969

Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research

Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR), the world’s largest agricultural research network, got its start during a series of Bellagio meetings over fifty years ago. Today, it unites 15 top-tier research centers to address climate resilience, food insecurity and other pressing challenges in agriculture.

1999

The Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunization (GAVI)

The Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunization (known as Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance) helps vaccinate more than half the world’s children against deadly and debilitating infectious diseases. It all started at a 1999 Bellagio convening.

2007

Global Impact Investing Network (GIIN)

The field of Impact investing — and the term to describe it — got its start at two Bellagio convenings. The Foundation set the stage in 2007-'08, leading to the 2009 creation of the Global Impact Investing Network (GIIN), an independent nonprofit which connects a diverse network of investors committed to generating social and environmental impact alongside financial returns.

2021

Global Energy Alliance for People and Planet (GEAPP)

We believe connecting everyone to renewable, reliable electricity is the defining task of our time. In 2021, after a pivotal convening at our Bellagio Center, we helped launch the Global Energy Alliance for People and Planet (GEAPP), which aims to unlock $100 billion in funding. Since its launch at COP26, GEAPP has invested and committed $464 million to 130 projects in 40 countries.

Transforming Ideas Into Impact:

Upcoming Convening: April 21, 2026

Big Bets for America

Advancing innovations like Food is Medicine and community health models to strengthen workforce participation and community resilience.

FEATURED STORY

Building a Global Movement: How Food is Medicine Is Transforming Healthcare Worldwide

A global convening at The Rockefeller Foundation’s Bellagio Center brought leaders together to establish shared principles and accelerate collaboration in scaling Food is Medicine solutions worldwide — addressing diet-related disease and transforming healthcare systems.

Read the blog