Fondazione ABIO Italia

What Fondazione ABIO Italia does

Fondazione ABIO Italia is an Italian nonprofit foundation (Onlus) headquartered in Milan that supports hospitalized children and their families through a network of trained volunteers placed inside pediatric hospital departments. Its operational model rests on a national federation of 53-58 local ABIO associations and approximately 4,000-5,000 trained volunteers active in more than 200 pediatric wards across all Italian regions, supported by a lean central staff of 11 employees. The foundation runs training, accreditation, and a "Carta dei Diritti del bambino in ospedale" framework jointly developed with the Italian Society of Pediatrics (SIP), which underpins the "All'altezza dei bambini" certification program for hospitals. Its activities include direct in-ward volunteer support, advocacy for child-friendly hospital standards, and an annual National ABIO Day held across roughly 100+ public stations.

Revenue is generated entirely through donations and grants rather than commercial sales. Documented inflows include 5x1000 tax designations producing €393K-€416K annually, SMS-based solidarity campaigns, and corporate partnerships with P&G (Missione Bontà, ongoing since 2009), Barilla, LEGO (#BuildToGive 2023), Bracco, and Pizzardi Editore. Total public and private contributions were approximately €806K in 2020, with the foundation's diversified donation mix producing an estimated annual inflow in the low single-digit millions of euros. Governance sits with a board chaired since January 2022 by Dr. Giuseppe Genduso, with Prof. Vittorio Carnelli as Honorary President from the founding era. The foundation's June 2023 protocol with FNOPI institutionalizes nurse-volunteer cooperation, marking the most significant recent expansion of its operational remit.

Name

Fondazione ABIO Italia

Legal name

Fondazione ABIO Italia Onlus

Website

https://abio.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1978

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Fondazione ABIO Italia is a Milan-based nonprofit that deploys 4,000-5,000 trained volunteers across 200+ Italian pediatric hospital wards to support hospitalized children and their families, funded through donations, 5x1000, and corporate partnerships.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Pediatric Hospital Volunteer Services

NAICS

Child and Youth Services (62411), Voluntary Health Organizations (813212), Other Individual and Family Services (624190)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Misc Health & Allied Services, Nec (8090)

akta.pro primary industry

Rare Disease & Special Needs Support Organizations (BPAGACAM)

Keywords

• Pediatric hospital volunteering
• Child welfare nonprofit
• Family hospital support
• Volunteer charitable services
• Children rights advocacy

Headquarters

HQ city

Milan

HQ country

Italy

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Private Donations: Individual donations through the website, bank transfers (Banco BPM), postal accounts, credit card via PayPal, and Satispay. Donations are tax-deductible.
2. 5x1000: Tax designation mechanism where taxpayers can direct 0.5% of their income tax to the foundation using tax code 97384230153. Annual contributions range from approximately €393,000 to €416,000 from this stream.
3. SMS/Campaign Fundraising: Solidarity SMS campaigns (e.g., 2€ per SMS to number 45529) and annual fundraising campaigns like National Day collections.
4. Corporate Partnerships: Strategic partnerships with companies (Pizzardi Editore, P&G, Barilla, Bracco, LEGO) who provide donations, products, or funding in exchange for cause marketing and CSR association.
5. Cause-Related Marketing: Sale of solidarity gift items (gadgets, Christmas items, solidary favors) through dedicated e-commerce platform. Assegno Vacanze Etico program where travel vouchers generate 'solidarity bonus' donations.
6. Public Contributions: Government grants including Ministry of Labor contributions, 5x1000 funds, and regional contributions. In 2020, total public contributions were approximately €806,529.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Fondazione ABIO Italia coordinates a national network of volunteer associations that deliver reception, play, and accompaniment services inside pediatric hospital wards across Italy. The foundation trains and supervises approximately 4,000-5,000 volunteers present in over 200 pediatric departments through 53-58 local associations, and develops frameworks, training, and certification programs to safeguard hospitalized children's rights.

Product overview

Fondazione ABIO Italia is a non-profit charitable foundation (Onlus) that provides volunteer services to support children, adolescents, and their families in hospitals. The organization does not offer technology products or SaaS offerings; instead, it provides humanitarian services including volunteer presence in pediatric wards, child-friendly environments, welcome kits, parent accommodation facilities (bed chairs), and children's rights advocacy. Key service offerings include: (1) Reception/Welcome services providing volunteers, welcome kits, and play spaces; (2) Training programs for new and existing volunteers; (3) Children's rights initiatives including the Carta dei Diritti (Charter of Rights) and hospital certification program 'All'altezza dei bambini'; (4) Fundraising projects such as Premio Sironi competition, SMS Solidale campaigns, and various corporate partnerships; (5) Special initiatives like 'Amici Cucciolotti' figurine distribution, 'Allenati a star bene' wellness project, and Bruno Munari creative workshops. The organization coordinates 53-58 local volunteer associations across over 200 pediatric wards in Italy.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Accoglienza (Hospital Volunteer Reception Services) Free in-hospital reception and accompaniment service provided by trained volunteers to hospitalized children and their families in pediatric departments.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 1 million hospitalized children reached annually across Italy
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

13 partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• LEGOminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023LEGO's #BuildToGive initiative supports children in hospitals through ABIO, bringing LEGO toys and building activities to hospitalized children in Italy during holiday seasons.
• Gulliver StoreminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2023Gulliver Store runs 'Leggi e... Regala un Sorriso ad ABIO' campaign for 2023-2024 school year, seventh consecutive year. Publishers donate portion of sales to ABIO while promoting reading among children and families.
• FNOPI (Federazione Nazionale Ordini Professioni Infermieristiche)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 21 June 2021Protocol signed June 21, 2023 between FNOPI and ABIO for assistance and protection of children and adolescents in hospital. Addresses care standards and nursing support for hospitalized minors.
• WishraiserminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2021Wishraiser membership program allows recurring monthly donations (€9/15/25 or custom from €5) to support ABIO's 'Un ospedale sempre più a misura di bambino' project. Donors entered weekly for dream vacation prizes.
• Gruppo BraccominorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2014Gruppo Bracco sponsored Bruno Munari® creative workshops in pediatric hospitals (2014-2015) at Santobono Napoli, San Paolo Milano, Sant'Antonio Abate Cantù, and Guglielmo da Saliceto Piacenza. Workshops used creative play to help children cope with hospitalization.
• Pizzardi EditorecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2010Since 2010, Pizzardi Editore has donated 4 million Amici Cucciolotti sticker packets to hospitalized children through ABIO volunteers. The partnership delivers joy and normalcy to children during difficult hospitalization periods. In 2022, 3.5 million stickers were distributed through 58 local associations.
• Barilla (Casa Barilla)minorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2010Barilla engaged ABIO in Casa Barilla tour across Italian cities (2010-2012), hosting 40,000 visitors. Volunteers promoted ABIO mission at events, raising awareness and recruiting new volunteers. Partnership aligned Barilla's family-focused brand with ABIO's child support mission.
• UNORAcoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2010ABIO is member of UNORA Foundation promoting payroll giving culture in Italy. Enables employees to donate monthly (equivalent to one hour's salary) through employer to support ABIO projects like providing 20 bed-chairs for parents.
• Gruppo CRC (Coordinamento per la Convenzione sui Diritti dell'Infanzia e dell'Adolescenza)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2010ABIO is member of Gruppo CRC, network of 90 Third Sector organizations coordinated by Save the Children Italia, working to promote and protect children's and adolescents' rights in Italy.
• Trenta Ore per la VitaminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 20102010 beneficiary of Trenta Ore per la Vita campaign with project 'Il compito di prendersi cura' supporting three pediatric wards: San Carlo Milano, Belcolle Viterbo, Policlinico Giaccone Palermo. Campaign promoted on RAI networks with volunteer-organized events.
• Progetto Travel SolidaleminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2010Assegno Vacanze Etico program where travel vouchers generate 'solidarity bonus' donations to ABIO. Companies gift vacation vouchers to clients/employees, with portion donated to ABIO projects.
• Procter & Gamble (P&G)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2009P&G partnership through 'Missione Bontà' has built 45 play rooms in Italian hospitals and supported volunteer training since 2009. Includes corporate employee fundraising events like Christmas markets. Major collaboration for hospital renovation including Ospedale San Salvatore dell'Aquila after 2009 earthquake.
• Società Italiana di Pediatria (SIP)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2008Collaboration to develop and promote the Carta dei Diritti dei Bambini e degli Adolescenti in Ospedale (2008) and subsequent certification program 'All'altezza dei bambini'. Joint effort to establish quality standards for pediatric hospitals.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• Project Sunshine: US-based nonprofit that delivers volunteer-led programs, crafts, and play activities to hospitalized children. Directly comparable volunteer-driven, in-pediatric-ward service delivery model to ABIO.
• Fondazione Lene Thun Onlus: Italian nonprofit that brings art and creative therapy workshops to children with serious illness in hospitals. Closely comparable as an Italy-based nonprofit providing in-pediatric-ward programming supported by corporate partners (Bracco, etc.).
• Ronald McDonald House Charities: Global nonprofit that supports families of hospitalized children through family rooms, lodging near hospitals, and in-hospital volunteer programs. Highly comparable mission (humanizing pediatric hospitalization) and operating model of placing trained volunteers inside pediatric wards.
• EACH (European Association for Children in Hospital): European umbrella federation advocating for children's rights in hospital and supporting the EACH Charter. ABIO's Carta dei Diritti dei Bambini e degli Adolescenti in Ospedale is explicitly aligned with EACH's charter framework, making EACH a direct advocacy peer.
• Fondazione Dynamo Camp: Italian nonprofit providing therapeutic recreation programs for children with serious illnesses. Comparable Italian nonprofit with similar mission of improving quality of life for sick children and a comparable donor/corporate partnership model.
• Starlight Children's Foundation: US-headquartered nonprofit providing entertainment, play, and distraction programs for hospitalized children and their families. Comparable programmatic model focused on normalizing the hospital experience for pediatric patients.
• Make-A-Wish International: Global nonprofit granting wishes to children with critical illnesses. Comparable mission of delivering emotional support to seriously ill children, with a similarly multi-country/regional structure and corporate partner base.

Others

• Telefono Azzurro: Italian nonprofit focused on protecting children's rights and responding to child abuse and distress. Adjacent in the Italian child-welfare nonprofit ecosystem, with a partly overlapping donor base and child-rights advocacy focus.
• Fondazione Telethon: Major Italian biomedical research nonprofit with a comparable fundraising model (TV-driven campaigns, SMS donations, 5x1000). Adjacent rather than competing, but comparable in scale of Italian mass-media fundraising operations.

Broad incumbents

• Save the Children Italia: Italy branch of the large international child welfare organization. Larger and broader than ABIO in scope (education, poverty, rights) but operates in overlapping child-rights advocacy space; ABIO is a member of Save the Children's Gruppo CRC network.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/fondazione-abio-italia

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 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 Fondazione ABIO Italia