What Progetto Arca does

Progetto Arca (Fondazione Progetto Arca ETS) is an Italian nonprofit humanitarian foundation founded in 1994 and headquartered in Milan, operating across 7+ Italian cities including Rome, Naples, Turin, Padua, Varese, and Bari. The organization addresses extreme poverty and social exclusion through six core intervention areas: street outreach (Unità di strada) in Milan, Rome, and Naples; food assistance via mobile kitchens, canteens, and solidarity markets; social housing projects including Casa Seneca, Casa e Oltre, and Casa Arca degli Esposti; reception centers for migrants and refugees; healthcare services for vulnerable populations; and emergency humanitarian response. In its most recent reporting period, Progetto Arca helped 45,721 people, dispensed 4.3 million meals, and provided 707,000 days of accommodation, with 2,400+ families supported monthly via food parcels.

The organization operates under an Ente del Terzo Settore (ETS) legal structure with no proprietary technology platform; its digital infrastructure is limited to standard web/donation tooling including Stripe, PayPal, and Gestpay payment gateways. Revenue is generated exclusively through charitable channels: individual donations (one-time and recurring, preset tiers from €10 to €100), the Italian 5x1000 tax designation (fiscal code 11183570156), corporate partnerships including cash and in-kind donations (food, clothing, furniture), Cause-Related Marketing programs, and testamentary bequests. The organization maintains a large partner ecosystem including H&M (strategic clothing upcycling partnership since 2021), international foundations (Stavros Niarchos, Fondation Carrefour, Fondazione Fiera Milano, Citi Foundation), and dozens of corporate supporters. With 251-500 employees and a dedicated fundraising team, Progetto Arca is one of Italy's most recognized poverty-focused NGOs, distinguished by its integrated model spanning emergency street assistance through long-term housing solutions.

Name

Progetto Arca

Legal name

Fondazione Progetto Arca ETS

Website

https://progettoarca.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1994

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

251–500 employees

Short description

Progetto Arca is an Italian nonprofit foundation (ETS) founded in 1994 that provides integrated anti-poverty services — street outreach, food assistance, social housing, reception centers, healthcare, and emergency response — to homeless people, elderly, families in hardship, and migrants across 7+ Italian cities, serving 45,721 people annually.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Social Services and Humanitarian Aid

NAICS

Community Food and Housing, and Emergency and Other Relief Services (6242), Community Food Services (624210), Community Housing Services (62422), Individual and Family Services (6241)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Health Equity, Access & Social Determinants Programs (BPAIAJAO)

akta.pro secondary industries

Nutrition & Food Security (Global Health) NGOs (HLAJAKAH), Community Health, Prevention & Health Education (BPAGACAC), Food Security, Agriculture & Nutrition Aid Programs (BPADABAD)

Keywords

• Homelessness services
• Social housing programs
• Food assistance services
• Humanitarian aid services
• Poverty relief programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Milan

HQ country

Italy

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Individual Donations: One-time and recurring monetary donations from individuals made online, by bank transfer, or postal payment. Donation tiers include options of €10, €15, €30, €50, €100, or custom amounts, with a minimum of €5.
2. 5x1000 Tax Designation: Italian taxpayers can designate 0.5% of their IRPEF tax to Progetto Arca at no additional cost. The organization's tax code is 11183570156.
3. Corporate Partnerships: Partnerships with companies include cash donations, in-kind donations of goods (food, clothing, furniture, hygiene products), volunteering programs, and Cause-Related Marketing. Tax deductions available up to 10% of declared income for companies.
4. Bequests and Legacy Donations: Individuals can leave testamentary bequests (lasciti) to Progetto Arca as part of estate planning.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels11 records

Core offering

Progetto Arca is an Italian nonprofit foundation that delivers direct social assistance to people experiencing poverty and social exclusion across Italy. Its core offerings span six intervention areas: Strada (street outreach units distributing food, blankets, and hygiene products in Milan, Rome, and Naples), Cibo (food services including mobile kitchens in 7 cities, solidarity markets in 6 locations, and monthly food parcels for over 2,400 families), Casa (social housing projects such as Casa Seneca with 25 apartments and Casa Arca degli Esposti in Rome), Accoglienza (reception/shelter centers), Salute (health services), and Emergenze (humanitarian emergency response).

Product overview

Progetto Arca (Fondazione Progetto Arca ETS) is a humanitarian charitable organization providing comprehensive social assistance programs. Their service portfolio is organized into six core intervention areas: Strada (street outreach), Cibo (food assistance), Casa (housing), Accoglienza (reception/shelter), Salute (health services), and Emergenze (emergency response). Key programs include Street Units active in Milan, Rome, and Naples; Mobile Kitchens serving 7 Italian cities; Solidarity Markets in 6 locations; monthly food parcels for 2,400+ families; and social housing projects including Casa Seneca (25 apartments in Milan), Casa Arca degli Esposti (Rome), and Housing Sociale Bodio (Milan). Fundraising mechanisms include online donations, regular donations, corporate partnerships, legacy gifts, and 5x1000 tax designation. The organization operates as an ETS (Ente del Terzo Settore - Third Sector Entity) with fiscal code 11183570156.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Strada (Street Outreach Units) Evening street outreach service providing direct assistance to homeless individuals through distributions of hot drinks, food, blankets, sleeping bags, clothing, and hygiene products. Active in Milan, Rome, and Naples. Free service for people experiencing homelessness.
• Cibo (Food Services) Comprehensive food assistance programs including mobile kitchens serving hot meals on the streets, canteens serving over 2,000 hot meals daily, solidarity markets using a points-based card system, and monthly food parcels distributed to families in need across Italy. Free service for individuals and families in difficulty.
• Casa (Social Housing) Social housing projects providing temporary and long-term accommodation to homeless individuals and families in difficulty, including Casa Seneca (25 apartments in Milan), Casa Arca degli Esposti (Rome), and Housing Sociale Bodio (multi-target condominio sociale). Free or subsidized housing for vulnerable populations.
• Accoglienza (Reception Centers) Emergency and transitional shelter facilities providing temporary accommodation, meals, and support services to vulnerable individuals and families, including reception centers for migrants and asylum seekers in Milan (e.g., CAS Fantoli, Hub 126). Free service for beneficiaries.
• Salute (Health Services) Healthcare assistance programs providing medical support and health services to homeless and vulnerable populations, including access to medical care for people without stable housing. Free service for beneficiaries.
• Emergenze (Emergency Humanitarian Response) Humanitarian emergency response services providing rapid assistance during crises, natural disasters, and humanitarian emergencies, including the 'Mai soli' campaign supporting Palestinian children from Gaza hospitalized in Lombardy facilities. Free service for disaster-affected populations.
• Cucine Mobili (Mobile Kitchens) Mobile canteens on wheels serving hot meals, soups, and breakfasts directly on the streets. Active in Milan, Varese, Turin, Padua, Rome, Naples, and Bari. Free service for homeless individuals.
• Casa Seneca (Social Housing Condominium) Social housing condominium in Milan's Baggio district with 25 apartments providing hospitality to elderly individuals, mothers with children, and families experiencing economic and housing hardship. Inaugurated March 2026.
• Market Solidali (Solidarity Markets) Social supermarkets where families and individuals in difficulty can access free groceries using a points-based card system. Located in Rozzano (MI), Bacoli (NA), Milan, Varese, Rome, and Bari. Free service for low-income families.
• Pacchi Viveri (Monthly Food Parcels) Monthly food parcels distributed to over 2,400 families across Italy containing essential food items including bread, oil, pasta, sauce, tuna, biscuits, and milk. Free service for families in difficulty.
• Guardaroba Sociale (Social Wardrobe) Free clothing distribution service where people in need can select seasonal clothing items, promoting dignity and autonomy. Includes 'distributed wardrobes' within social markets across Italy developed in partnership with H&M.
• 5x1000 Campaign (Tax Designation Program) Tax designation program allowing Italian taxpayers to allocate 0.5% of their income tax (IRPEF) to Progetto Arca at no additional cost. Tax code: 11183570156. Available to all Italian taxpayers including non-filers through CU form.

Quantifiable outcome

• 45,721 people helped in the latest reporting period
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration8 records

Partnerships

34 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• H&McoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2021Since 2021, H&M and Progetto Arca have partnered to give new life to unsold clothing, damaged garments, and returns. Clothes are processed by volunteer seamstresses and made available through social wardrobes ('guardaroba sociale'). In 2022-2023, H&M launched a fundraising campaign to open two new social wardrobes, with employees contributing to construction and volunteering. In 2024, the initiative expanded with 'distributed wardrobes' hosted within social markets across Italy.
• AmazonminorGTM or Marketing PartnerAmazon is listed as a partner company supporting Progetto Arca's initiatives.
• CarrefourminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCarrefour is listed as a partner company. The Fondation Carrefour has also supported Progetto Arca projects.
• AMETEKminorGTM or Marketing PartnerAMETEK is listed as a partner company.
• CH RobinsonminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCH Robinson is listed as a partner company.
• DeckersminorGTM or Marketing PartnerDeckers is listed as a partner company.
• DILS (Delegazione Italiana della Fondazione San Francesco)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerDILS is listed as a partner company.
• HowdenminorGTM or Marketing PartnerHowden is listed as a partner company.
• IGPDecauxminorGTM or Marketing PartnerIGPDecaux is listed as a partner company, likely providing advertising space support.
• IncomediaminorGTM or Marketing PartnerIncomedia is listed as a partner company.
• MarsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerMars is listed as a partner company.
• L'Oréal ParisminorGTM or Marketing PartnerL'Oréal Paris partnered with Progetto Arca on the 'Salone Sociale' project at Casa Jannacci, providing beauty and personal care services to people in need.
• Penny MarketminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPenny Market is listed as a partner company.
• RepowerminorGTM or Marketing PartnerRepower is listed as a partner company.
• Spirax SarcominorGTM or Marketing PartnerSpirax Sarco is listed as a partner company.
• UniqlominorGTM or Marketing PartnerUniqlo is listed as a partner company, likely providing clothing donations.
• bnbookminorGTM or Marketing Partnerbnbook is listed as a Company Friend partner (small/medium enterprise).
• BVR Banca Veneto CentraleminorGTM or Marketing PartnerBVR Banca Veneto Centrale is listed as a Company Friend partner.
• Camic SrlminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCamic Srl is listed as a Company Friend partner.
• ClassdriveminorGTM or Marketing PartnerClassdrive is listed as a Company Friend partner.
• Exa LogixminorGTM or Marketing PartnerExa Logix is listed as a Company Friend partner.
• General PackingminorGTM or Marketing PartnerGeneral Packing is listed as a Company Friend partner.
• Gloria Chiarini / MicafminorGTM or Marketing PartnerGloria Chiarini (Micaf) is listed as a Company Friend partner.
• Happy HotelsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerHappy Hotels is listed as a Company Friend partner.
• Idea BitMapminorGTM or Marketing PartnerIdea BitMap is listed as a Company Friend partner.
• LiiT Cartaria ItalianaminorGTM or Marketing PartnerLiiT Cartaria Italiana is listed as a Company Friend partner.
• SalfminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSalf is listed as a Company Friend partner.
• Scot SrlminorGTM or Marketing PartnerScot Srl is listed as a Company Friend partner.
• VidyaminorGTM or Marketing PartnerVidya is listed as a Company Friend partner.
• ZefirominorGTM or Marketing PartnerZefiro is listed as a Company Friend partner.
• Andrea VillaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerArtist Andrea Villa created a street installation for Progetto Arca's 2025 Christmas campaign ('Quest'anno il Natale sei tu').
• Marco GarofalominorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPhotographer Marco Garofalo created the 'Luci nel Buio' photographic exhibition for Progetto Arca, offering a different perspective on poverty.
• Pongo 3DminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerStreet artist Pongo 3D, together with young asylum seekers, created the mural 'L'Albero della Vita' at the CAS Fantoli reception center.
• BVA DoxaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerProgetto Arca collaborated with BVA Doxa on a national survey about poverty, renunciations, and desires of vulnerable people, released in November 2024.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Caritas Italiana: The Italian Catholic Church's official charitable arm, operating nationwide with food assistance, housing, and emergency relief programs targeting the same vulnerable populations as Progetto Arca, including the homeless, elderly, and families in economic hardship.
• Comunità di Sant'Egidio: Italian Catholic lay community running soup kitchens, social housing, and migrant reception programs across Italy and Europe, with an integrated model closely mirroring Progetto Arca's street-to-housing continuum.
• Fondazione Banco Alimentare: Italian food bank foundation that collects and redistributes surplus food to charitable organizations, addressing food insecurity — Progetto Arca's largest single program area (4.3M meals annually) — through a parallel network model.
• Opera San Francesco per i Poveri: Milan-based Franciscan nonprofit providing food, clothing, showers, medical care, and shelter to homeless and poor people in Lombardy — directly overlapping Progetto Arca's primary geographic and operational footprint.
• Fondazione San Francesco d'Assisi: Italian nonprofit focused on homelessness and social marginalization with emergency reception, food, and reintegration services, comparable in scope and target population to Progetto Arca.
• Fondazione Fratelli di San Francesco: Italian charitable foundation providing food, shelter, and social reintegration services to homeless and disadvantaged populations, with overlapping intervention models in northern Italy.

Broad incumbents

• Emergency: Large Italian humanitarian NGO providing medical care and humanitarian aid, primarily internationally but with strong domestic fundraising competition that targets the same Italian donor base and 5x1000 pool as Progetto Arca.
• Croce Rossa Italiana: Italian Red Cross, a much larger incumbent operating emergency response, social assistance, and health programs nationwide, competing for the same donor base, 5x1000 designations, and institutional funding.
• Fondazione Telethon: Major Italian nonprofit foundation with a different cause focus (genetic disease research) but competing for the same Italian 5x1000 designations, recurring donor pool, and corporate CSR partnerships.
• Medici Senza Frontiere (MSF Italy): International medical-humanitarian organization with a major Italian fundraising operation, directly competing for Italian household donations, 5x1000 share, and corporate partnerships on humanitarian grounds.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/ProgettoArca
• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/FondazioneArca
• Facebookfacebook.com/fondazioneprogettoarca
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/fondazione-progetto-arca
• Instagraminstagram.com/progettoarca
• TikToktiktok.com/@fondazioneprogettoarca

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors1 record

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Progetto Arca