Esercito della Salvezza

What Esercito della Salvezza does

Esercito della Salvezza (Salvation Army) in Italia is the Italian territorial command of The Salvation Army International, a Christian evangelical movement founded in London in 1865 by William Booth and present in Italy since 1887. Operationally registered as a non-profit entity of the Italian third sector (ente del Terzo settore, fiscal code 07933851003) with national headquarters in Rome, the entity combines religious ministry (corps/churches, worship services, publications such as 'Il Grido di Guerra') with an extensive portfolio of social services including food distribution, winter relief for the homeless, human-trafficking prevention through the Green Light Project, the Angel Tree Christmas program, youth work, and emergency disaster response. It coordinates Italy and Greece as a unified territorial command under the spiritual oversight of the International Headquarters in London, with current General Lyndon Buckingham.

The organization delivers services through a network of six hospitality centers across Italy (Le Casermette in Bobbio Pellice, Casa Vacanze Concordia on Ischia, Centro Virgilio Paglieri in Rome, Villa delle Rose in Florence, Centro Uliveto in Atena Lucana, Villa Speranza in Potenza), local corps (churches) in cities such as Naples, food distribution infrastructure co-financed through the EU FEAD program, and emergency response teams. Cross-border humanitarian operations extend to Ukraine, Venezuela, Central Europe, and Valencia in coordination with the Salvation Army World Service Office (SAWSO), UNHCR, IOM, UNICEF, and the UN. Distinct social enterprise ventures include the Others Trade for Hope fair-trade program supporting over 800 artisans in Kenya and Bangladesh, and the Note di Salvezza music ministry.

The revenue model is hybrid by necessity: it combines individual donations, the Italian 5x1000 IRPEF tax designation, EU FEAD co-financing, public contributions from government bodies, and self-generated income from hospitality centers, charity bazaars, reuse centers, publication sales, and fair-trade social enterprise revenue. There are nominal annual subscription tiers (€15 / €25 / €50) for the 'Il Grido' publication, but core social services are delivered free of charge to beneficiaries. Donor acquisition is community-led, leveraging volunteers, soldiers (members), corporate partners (TIM, MD Supermarket through the Goodify program), and ecumenical networks; fundraising combines digital (website, social media, Donorbox) and traditional channels.

Name

Esercito della Salvezza

Legal name

Esercito della Salvezza in Italia

Website

https://esercitodellasalvezza.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1865

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Esercito della Salvezza is the Italian territorial command of The Salvation Army, delivering faith-based social services including food distribution, homelessness outreach, refugee support, and disaster response across Italy and Greece, funded primarily through donations, Italy's 5x1000 tax designation, EU FEAD co-financing, and social enterprise revenue.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Humanitarian and Social Services

NAICS

Religious Organizations (8131), Emergency and Other Relief Services (624230), Community Food and Housing, and Emergency and Other Relief Services (6242), Community Housing Services (62422)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYBPAGAJAF

Faith-Based Humanitarian Aid & Relief Ministries

Business & Public Services/Nonprofit, NGO & Social Services/Religious & Faith-Based Organizations

SECONDARYBPAGAJAE

Faith-Based Missions & Evangelism Organizations (Domestic & International)

Business & Public Services/Nonprofit, NGO & Social Services/Religious & Faith-Based Organizations

SECONDARYBPAGAJAG

Faith-Based Social Services & Community Outreach (Food Pantries, Shelters, Counseling)

Business & Public Services/Nonprofit, NGO & Social Services/Religious & Faith-Based Organizations

SECONDARYBPAGABAH

Refugee, Migration & Displacement Support

Business & Public Services/Nonprofit, NGO & Social Services/International Development & Poverty Alleviation

SECONDARYBPAGAAAH

Refugee, IDP & Migration Humanitarian Assistance

Business & Public Services/Nonprofit, NGO & Social Services/Humanitarian Aid & Disaster Relief

Keywords

• Humanitarian aid services
• Social welfare programs
• Food assistance programs
• Disaster relief services
• Homeless outreach services

Headquarters

HQ city

Roma

HQ country

Italy

HQ region

Europe

Offices9 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Supply Chain, Others

Revenue model

1. Individual Donations: Direct donations from individuals supporting the organization's charitable mission, including one-time and recurring contributions.
2. 5x1000 Tax Donation: Italian tax mechanism allowing taxpayers to direct 0.5% of IRPEF tax to registered nonprofit organizations. The Salvation Army Italy's fiscal code is 07933851003.
3. European FEAD Program: European Aid Fund for the Most Deprived (FEAD) co-financing for food distribution programs. In 2024, distributed 8,028 food parcels through this program.
4. Public Contributions: Government funding and public contributions supporting social welfare programs and operations.
5. Social Enterprise Revenue: Revenue from hospitality centers (case di ospitalità), charity shops (bazar di beneficenza), reuse centers (centri del riuso), and publication sales supporting operational costs.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels7 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Esercito della Salvezza (The Salvation Army in Italy) is a Christian church movement and non-profit charitable organization (ente del Terzo settore) that combines spiritual ministry with extensive social welfare services. It delivers food distribution, emergency disaster response, homeless outreach, refugee assistance, anti-human-trafficking programs, youth work, and a network of hospitality houses, all funded through donations, the 5x1000 tax designation program, European grants (FEAD), and social enterprise revenue.

Product overview

Esercito della Salvezza (Salvation Army Italy) operates as a church and social welfare organization offering a diverse portfolio of interconnected programs. The core offering combines spiritual ministry (worship services, publications like 'Il Grido di Guerra') with extensive social services (food distribution, emergency response, homeless assistance, refugee support). Key programs include youth work (EdS), anti-human trafficking initiatives (Green Light Project), the Others Trade for Hope fair-trade enterprise, Angel Tree Christmas program, and European food aid (FEAD). The organization maintains a network of six hospitality houses across Italy supporting both social work and retreats. Funding comes through donations, the 5x1000 tax designation program, and partnerships. Music ministry through the Note di Salvezza choir and various publications round out the offering. All activities stem from the Christian mission to preach the Gospel and meet human needs without discrimination.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Il Grido di Guerra Official war cry magazine and communication organ of the Salvation Army in Italy, serving three main purposes: evangelization, information on Italian activities, and international news. Available in digital format and through annual support plans (Base €15, Silver €25, Gold €50).
• EdS - Lavoro con la Gioventù Youth and children's work program focused on bringing dynamic faith to new generations through expression, service, and community engagement, applicable in family, school, work, and social contexts.
• Green Light Project Initiative responding to prostitution and human trafficking for sexual exploitation. Weekly groups go out to meet people in prostitution, offering drinks, homemade sweets, conversation, and connections to support services and networks.
• Note di Salvezza (Naples Singing Group) Choir group from Naples corps that sings Christian music from all eras, translates foreign hymns, and composes original pieces. They have released albums including 'Fuori dal cortile' and 'Niente è impossibile per Te.'
• Others - Trade for Hope Social enterprise of the Salvation Army promoting hope, independence, and dignity for over 800 women and men in Kenya and Bangladesh through fair trade principles, creating handmade products (embroidered hearts, hand-woven fabrics, wood products, sisal baskets) sold in USA, Norway, Canada, Iceland, and New Zealand.
• Angel Tree Christmas program matching 'angels' (donors) with children from families experiencing economic hardship, providing gifts and joy during the holiday season. Active internationally since 1979 and in Italy for over ten years.
• PO I FEAD - Programma di Aiuti Europei agli Indigenti European Aid to the Deprived programme in which the Salvation Army participates as a Territorial Partner Organization (OpT), distributing EU-co-financed food aid and providing accompanying measures to support people in need. Distributed 8,028 food parcels in 2024.
• Social Services Programs Comprehensive suite of social assistance including: food distribution, winter relief for homeless, Italian language courses for foreigners, charity bazaars, reuse centers, youth aggregation spaces, family support, refugee assistance, and emergency response services.
• Emergency Response Services Disaster response services providing food, drinks, emotional and spiritual assistance to first responders and survivors during natural disasters, civil unrest, and terrorist attacks, with long-term follow-up support.
• Hospitality Houses Network Network of hospitality facilities including: Le Casermette (Bobbio Pellice, 85 beds), Concordia (Ischia, 70 beds), Centro Virgilio Paglieri (Rome, 70 beds), Villa delle Rose (Florence), Centro Uliveto (Atena Lucana, 70 beds), and Villa Speranza (Potenza). Used for camps, colonies, spiritual retreats, conferences, and holidays while supporting social work.
• Donations and 5x1000 Programs Various donation mechanisms including online donations, 5x1000 tax designation (tax code: 07933851003), emergency fundraising campaigns, and partnership programs like Goodify with MD supermarket chain.
• Publications Catalog Catalog of books (doctrinal texts, historical works, devotional materials), comics (William Booth biography, Easter and Christmas stories), and audio-visual materials (CDs/DVDs of Note di Salvezza music and 'Salvati per Servire' documentary on Salvation Army in Italy).

Quantifiable outcome

• Assisted 37,670 people in Italy in 2024
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers8 records

Segments7 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration1 record

Partnerships

13 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• TIM (Telecom Italia)coreGTM or Marketing PartnerTIM donated over 340 mobile devices to the Salvation Army Italy for the 'Una Telefonata che Salva la Vita' project, providing cell phones to homeless women in Rome so they can call emergency services. TIM supports the organization's social mission for women in difficult situations.
• MD SupermarketminorGTM or Marketing PartnerMD supermarket chain participates in the Goodify program where customers can donate €1 per shopping receipt (minimum €30) to Salvation Army Italy social initiatives at no additional cost to the customer.
• AragornminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerAragorn, a consulting and services company for the Third Sector, facilitated the 'Una Telefonata che Salva la Vita' partnership between TIM and the Salvation Army, acting as an intermediary for this corporate social responsibility initiative.
• United Nations (UN)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Salvation Army maintains official relations with the UN through its International Social Justice Commission (ISJC). General Lyndon Buckingham and Commissioner Bronwyn Buckingham visited UN headquarters in July 2024 for the first time by a serving General. Discussions focused on gender violence, domestic abuse, adolescent girls, poverty reduction, migration, and displaced persons.
• UNICEFcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommissioner Bronwyn Buckingham met with UNICEF's Director for Gender Equality Lauren Rumble to discuss challenges facing adolescent girls (ages 10-19) worldwide. UNICEF identified the Salvation Army's strength in frontline community work and expressed interest in collaboration on various initiatives.
• UNHCR (United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Salvation Army collaborates with UNHCR in responding to refugee crises, particularly for Ukrainian displaced persons. Coordination includes shelter, food, and integration support.
• IOM (International Organization for Migration)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational Organization for Migration partnership for managing migration and displacement situations, including coordination on Ukrainian refugee response.
• Ukrainian Red CrosscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration with Ukrainian Red Cross for humanitarian response to the Russia-Ukraine conflict, including aid distribution and support services.
• SAWSO (Servizio Mondiale dell'Esercito della Salvezza)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSalvation Army World Service Office coordinates international humanitarian responses and mobilizes resources for disaster relief, including Venezuela earthquake response and Ukraine war assistance.
• Local Municipal Governments (Central Europe)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with local governments in Czech Republic, Romania, Poland, and other affected countries for Storm Boris flood response, coordinating shelter, food distribution, and cleanup efforts.
• Forum del Terzo Settore (Third Sector Forum)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerActive participation in the Italian Third Sector Forum, contributing to advocacy for social policies and presenting the 'Mettete in agenda la solidarietà' document to political candidates.
• Conferenza delle Chiese Europee (CEC)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerParticipation in the 16th General Assembly of the Conference of European Churches in Tallinn, Estonia, representing the Salvation Army in ecumenical dialogue on peace, justice, and reconciliation.
• Others Trade for HopecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSocial enterprise initiative of the Salvation Army creating fair trade employment for over 800 artisans in Kenya and Bangladesh, promoting independence and dignity. Products sold in USA, Norway, Canada, Iceland, and New Zealand.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Caritas Italiana: The Italian Catholic Church's official charitable organization, providing food assistance, refugee support, emergency response, and social services across Italy through a parish-based network. Directly comparable as a faith-based social services and humanitarian aid operator in Italy with similar beneficiary segments.
• INTERSOS: Italian-headquartered humanitarian NGO operating emergency response programs for refugees, migrants, and crisis-affected populations. Directly comparable on humanitarian aid delivery, refugee response coordination, and Italian-led international operations.
• Comunità di Sant'Egidio: Italian Catholic lay community delivering social services including homeless outreach, refugee integration, and peace-building programs. Directly comparable as a faith-based community organization providing humanitarian and social services in Italy.
• Save the Children Italia: Italian branch of the international children's rights organization, operating child welfare, education, and emergency response programs. Directly comparable on serving vulnerable children and families in Italy with similar donor-driven revenue model.
• Oxfam Italia: Italian affiliate of the Oxfam confederation, focusing on poverty alleviation, humanitarian response, and social justice advocacy. Directly comparable on humanitarian aid delivery, fundraising through public donations, and program focus on vulnerable populations.
• World Vision Italia: Italian branch of the Christian humanitarian organization focused on child welfare, emergency response, and community development. Directly comparable as a faith-based humanitarian organization with similar mission framing and program mix.
• Emergency: Italian humanitarian NGO providing medical and surgical care to victims of war and poverty, with significant operations in Italy and internationally. Directly comparable on humanitarian mission focus, Italian-headquartered identity, and emergency response delivery.
• Croce Rossa Italiana: Italian Red Cross society, the primary national humanitarian and emergency response organization in Italy. Directly comparable in disaster response, refugee assistance, and emergency relief delivery, with similar reliance on volunteer mobilization and public co-financing.

Broad incumbents

• UNHCR Italia: UN Refugee Agency's Italian operation coordinating refugee response, asylum policy, and partner funding across Italy. Comparable as a key institutional partner and funder in the refugee/humanitarian space where the Salvation Army is also operationally active.
• UNICEF Italia: Italian National Committee for UNICEF, the UN children's fund, operating fundraising, advocacy, and program delivery for child welfare in Italy and globally. Comparable as a large incumbent operating in overlapping beneficiary segments (children, families in poverty) with similar institutional donor and corporate partnership channels.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/SalvationArmyIT/playlists
• Facebookfacebook.com/SalvationArmyIT
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/esercito-della-salvezza

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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 Esercito della Salvezza