Fondazione Lene Thun Onlus

What Fondazione Lene Thun Onlus does

Fondazione Lene Thun ETS (Ente del Terzo Settore) is an Italian non-profit foundation established in 2014 (predecessor entity from 2006) and headquartered in Bolzano, Italy, dedicated to providing recreational ceramic therapy (ceramico-terapia) to children with serious and chronic conditions, primarily in pediatric oncology, hematology, and neuropsychiatry departments of Italian hospitals. Its core product is weekly clay modeling workshops delivered free of charge in 36 hospitals across 56 permanent laboratories, supplemented by digital workshops conducted via Google Meet, "special projects" in disaster-affected areas and severe chronic illness contexts, and collective art installations that are permanently displayed in hospital spaces. The therapeutic method is scientifically validated through a Scientific Committee established in 2016 and through a 2021 study showing positive outcomes in 301 of 302 patients.

The foundation operates on the "il poco da tanti" (the little from many) community-driven funding model, generating revenue through diversified streams: individual donations (€2/month laboratory adoption subscriptions, one-time gifts, 5×1000 Italian tax designation), corporate partnerships (€3,500 Workshop Supporters and €30,000+ Ambassadors with exclusive communication rights), solidarity ceremonies and dinners, and public-sector grants. Its go-to-market combines community-led fundraising, direct-to-consumer digital donation channels (Stripe, PayPal, Satispay, bank transfer, Facebook fundraising), and channel partnerships with the THUN retail network ("Amici della Fondazione" stores selling solidarity products). Operational scale as of 2025 includes 11,000+ beneficiary interactions, 2,100 workshops delivered, 300+ hours of volunteer and ceramicist training, and €734,706 raised in 2026 toward an estimated €1.5M-2.5M annual operating base.

Name

Fondazione Lene Thun Onlus

Legal name

Fondazione Lene Thun ETS

Website

https://fondazionelenethun.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2014

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Italian non-profit foundation operating 56 permanent ceramic therapy laboratories in 36 hospitals, delivering weekly clay modeling workshops to pediatric oncology, hematology, and neuropsychiatry patients across Italy, funded through micro-donations, corporate partnerships, and the 5×1000 tax designation.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Bolzano

HQ country

Italy

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Individual Donations: One-time and recurring donations from individuals supporting laboratory adoption (2€/month minimum) or direct contributions. Multiple channels including bank transfer, PayPal, credit card, Satispay, Facebook fundraising, and non-transferable checks. Donations qualify for tax benefits under Italian law (deduction up to 10% of income or 30% tax credit up to €30,000).
2. Corporate Partnerships: Companies can adopt laboratories (€30,000 for exclusive communication rights, €3,500 for Lab Supporter), donate services/goods, or engage employees through corporate volunteering programs. Benefits include social responsibility communication and visibility through THUN network.
3. 5×1000 Tax Designation: Italian taxpayers can designate 5 per mille of their tax return to Fondazione Lene Thun (Tax Code: 02490260219). No cost to donor but provides significant funding for ceramic therapy workshops.
4. Charitable Events: Solidarity ceremonies (weddings, baptisms, graduations) where guests contribute to fund instead of gifts. Sale of solidarity bomboniere (confectionery boxes) and Filo d'Amore bracelets at THUN stores.
5. Solidarity Dinners: Organized fundraising dinners where participants collect and donate contributions. Foundation provides solidarity kit with place cards and check for amount collection.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Fondazione Lene Thun delivers weekly ceramic therapy (ceramico-terapia) workshops to children and adolescents in pediatric oncology, hematology, and neuropsychiatry departments of Italian hospitals, free of charge to the patients and the hospital facilities. The service is grounded in a scientifically-validated recreational therapy method using clay manipulation, and is delivered through 56 permanent laboratories across 36 hospitals, plus digital remote workshops and special traveling projects.

Product overview

Fondazione Lene Thun is the leading Italian non-profit organization providing recreational ceramic therapy (ceramico-terapia) services to children in pediatric oncology and hematology departments. The organization operates a network of 56 permanent ceramic therapy laboratories across 36 hospitals in Italy, plus digital workshops and special traveling projects. The core offering consists of weekly clay modeling therapy sessions offered free to hospitalized children, supported by a trained team of ceramicists and volunteers. Supplementary programs include collective art projects (opere collettive), laboratory adoption sponsorship, corporate volunteering, solidarity ceremonies (weddings/baptisms), and the ART-OUT project for healthcare worker wellbeing. The foundation was established inspired by Countess Lene Thun's values and life philosophy, promoting creativity as a therapeutic tool.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Ceramico-Terapia (Ceramic Therapy) Method Scientifically-validated recreational therapy using clay modeling to support children with serious and chronic conditions in pediatric oncology, hematology, and neuropsychiatry departments. Activates healthy parts of the child through play, creativity, and socialization through tactile sensory stimulation that reduces stress hormones and supports medical treatment.
• Laboratori Permanenti di Ceramico-Terapia (Permanent Hospital Workshops) Permanent weekly ceramic therapy workshops in pediatric departments of Italian hospitals, offered free of charge to hospitalized children in long-stay facilities, primarily in oncology, day-hospital, and neuropsychiatry units.
• Laboratori Digitali di Ceramico-Terapia (Digital Ceramic Therapy Workshops) Digital ceramic therapy workshops conducted via Google Meet video calls, allowing children to participate from home or hospital rooms. Active daily Monday to Sunday, 10:00-12:00 and 16:00-18:00, with monthly themed activities.
• Laboratori Speciali (Special Traveling Workshops) Limited-duration ceramic therapy workshops in pathological and socially disadvantaged contexts such as earthquake-affected areas and children with SMA (spinal muscular atrophy). Organized as traveling projects in facilities working with serious and chronic childhood conditions.
• Opere Collettive (Collective Art Projects) Group art projects where children create collective ceramic artworks displayed in hospital common areas, including 'Bosco che Cresce' (Growing Forest), 'Con le Mani nel Mondo' (With Our Hands on the World), 'L'Amico Gigante' (The Giant Friend), 'Albero dei Desideri' (Wishing Tree), and 'Fiorisce un Giardino' (A Garden Blooms).
• ART-OUT Project Experimental project developed with Policlinico Gemelli IRCCS to support healthcare workers in high emotional intensity pediatric oncology settings. Uses ceramic therapy to improve staff wellbeing and, consequently, quality of care for young patients.
• Adozione Laboratori (Laboratory Adoption Program) Recurring subscription/donation program allowing donors to adopt a specific hospital laboratory for a minimum of €2/month. Adopters receive the 'Casetta del Bosco' wooden house savings bank as a welcome gift and join the Foundation's Club with monthly 'Storie d'Argilla' newsletter.
• Cerimonia Solidale (Solidarity Celebrations) Celebration packages for weddings, baptisms, and graduations where guests give symbolic gifts to support ceramic therapy workshops. Includes solidary bomboniere (favor boxes) with 'Filo d'Amore' bracelets and options to adopt a hospital laboratory.
• Cene Solidali (Solidarity Dinner Kits) Fundraising dinner kits for organizing home dinners with friends and family to raise funds for ceramic therapy workshops. Includes printable place cards and donation check template.
• Volontariato Aziendale (Corporate Volunteering & Sponsorship) Corporate sponsorship (€3,500 Workshop Supporter, €30,000+ Ambassador with exclusive communication rights) and volunteer programs allowing employees to participate in ceramic therapy workshops (digital or in-person) as team-building activities. Companies can also donate services or goods.

Quantifiable outcome

• 89.08% of expenditure directed to institutional activities (2018 data)
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers9 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration6 records

Feature3 records

Partnerships

14 partnerships are on record, tiered notable, core and minor.

• GIFRABnotableGTM or Marketing Partner · 19 December 2025Sicily-based retail chain running a solidarity initiative in their stores through Christmas, contributing to sustain free ceramic therapy workshops in pediatric departments of Palermo and Catania.
• Policlinico Gemelli IRCCScoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2022Major academic hospital partnership for ART-OUT project studying healthcare worker wellness through ceramic therapy, and pediatric oncology workshops. Conducted scientific study showing improved quality of life for young patients.
• Evelina London Children's HospitalnotableStrategic or Co-development Partner · 5 August 2019First international partnership bringing ceramic therapy to UK children, conducted special workshops August 5-9, 2019. Collaborative project with hospital's Senior Play Specialist team.
• Associazione Al TuguriominorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2018Charity association supporting Palermo workshops by organizing cabaret benefit evenings in memory of Pino Bondì, providing ongoing fundraising support since 2018.
• THUN Retail NetworkcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorTHUN 'Amici della Fondazione' stores serve as retail ambassadors selling solidarity products (Filo d'Amore bracelets, bomboniere) and promoting foundation mission to THUN customer base. Logo presence in all stores.
• Gioia ConCreta AssociationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerVolunteer association supporting foundation activities alongside children. Massive contribution keeps overhead costs to approximately 11% of total expenditures, enabling high percentage of spending on institutional activities.
• Salf SpAminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate supporter contributing to foundation workshops as shown in corporate partner acknowledgments section.
• MorningstarminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate supporter acknowledged for contribution to foundation workshops.
• AdeccominorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate supporter acknowledged for contribution to foundation workshops.
• AllianzminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate supporter acknowledged for contribution to foundation workshops.
• Federazione ParafarmacieminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate supporter acknowledged for contribution to foundation workshops.
• GromminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate supporter acknowledged for contribution to foundation workshops.
• BauliminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate supporter acknowledged for contribution to foundation workshops.
• LAD Onlus AssociationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerArt therapy association coordinating with Scientific Committee on research using Arts Observational Scale (ArtsObS) to measure effects of ceramic activities in hospital settings.

Scale indicators14 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Project Sunshine: Non-profit providing recreational and therapeutic activities to children with medical needs in hospitals. Comparable as a volunteer-driven non-profit offering structured recreational programs in pediatric hospital settings.
• Make-A-Wish Italia: Italian branch of Make-A-Wish International, granting wishes to children with critical illnesses. Comparable as a non-profit improving quality of life for seriously ill children in Italy with a similar donation-driven operating model.
• Soleterre ONLUS: Italian non-profit working on healthcare and psychological support for children with serious illnesses, including pediatric oncology projects. Comparable as an Italian non-profit operating internationally in pediatric cancer support.
• Peter Pan ONLUS: Italian non-profit providing support and hospitality to children with cancer and their families, including activities within pediatric oncology hospitals. Directly comparable as a mission-aligned non-profit serving the same pediatric oncology population in Italy.
• AGEOP Ricerca: Italian parent-founded non-profit supporting pediatric oncology treatment and research, with hospital-based programs in Bologna. Comparable as an Italian pediatric oncology non-profit with hospital-based programs.
• ABIO Italia: Italian non-profit association dedicated to the wellbeing of hospitalized children through volunteer-based programs in pediatric wards. Comparable as a volunteer-driven non-profit delivering pediatric hospital programs in Italy.

Regional players

• CLIC Sargent (Young Lives vs Cancer): UK charity supporting children and young people with cancer and their families. Comparable as a pediatric cancer non-profit offering services in hospitals, with overlap to the 2019 Evelina London partnership demonstrating cross-border model relevance.

Broad incumbents

• AIRC Foundation: Italy's largest cancer research charity, funding cancer research including pediatric oncology. Comparable as a major Italian non-profit in the pediatric oncology space, though its focus is research rather than direct therapeutic service delivery.
• Lega Italiana per la Lotta contro i Tumori (LILT): Italy's oldest cancer non-profit, with pediatric oncology programs and hospital outreach. Comparable as a long-standing Italian non-profit with national footprint in oncology prevention and patient support.
• Starlight Children's Foundation: International non-profit providing entertainment, education, and play to hospitalized children. Comparable as a charity delivering recreational and therapeutic programming in pediatric hospital settings.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/fondazioneTHUN
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/fondazione-lene-thun

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 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 Lene Thun Onlus