Moleskine Foundation
Moleskine Foundation is a Milan-based non-profit (founded 2006, ~20 employees) that runs creativity-for-social-change programs — AtWork workshops, WikiAfrica Education, the Creativity Pioneers Fund, Folios publication, and Creative Tools donations — for youth from underserved communities and creative non-profits across 60+ countries.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2006
- HeadquartersMilan, Italy
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Moleskine Foundation does
Moleskine Foundation is a non-profit organization founded in 2006 (originally as lettera27, rebranded in 2017) and headquartered in Milan, Italy, with operational entities in the United States and South Africa. The foundation operates a portfolio of interconnected programs centered on creativity for social change: AtWork (5-day intensive creative workshops for 25 participants aged 18-27, traveling across 18+ chapters since 2012); WikiAfrica Education (launched 2018, expanding African-language content on Wikipedia with 5.91M article views and 25 programs across 19 African languages); the Creativity Pioneers Fund (established 2021, a grant-making coalition of 30+ foundations and brands supporting 250+ creative non-profits across 60 countries); Folios (a cultural publication launched in 2019, sold at €19 per volume); the Creativity Pioneers Podcast (launched 2020); Creative Tools for Social Change (donating notebooks to NGOs in Europe, the US, South Africa, Canada, and Mexico); and the Moleskine Foundation Collection (over 1,500 unique works by artists). Target beneficiaries are youth aged 16-27 from underserved and marginalized communities who lack access to creative education and tools. The foundation also engages cultural organizations, creative changemakers, and African educational institutions as partner and program participants.
Moleskine Foundation firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Moleskine Foundation
- Legal name
- Moleskine Foundation ETS
- Website
- https://moleskinefoundation.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2006
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Moleskine Foundation is a Milan-based non-profit (founded 2006, ~20 employees) that runs creativity-for-social-change programs — AtWork workshops, WikiAfrica Education, the Creativity Pioneers Fund, Folios publication, and Creative Tools donations — for youth from underserved communities and creative non-profits across 60+ countries.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Moleskine Foundation industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Non-profit foundation services
- NAICS
- Grantmaking Foundations (813211)
- SIC
- Services-Educational Services (8200)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Arts, Culture & Humanities Grantmaking Foundations (BPAGAKAJ)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Education Grantmaking Foundations (BPAGAKAK), Community Foundations (BPAGAKAB)
Keywords
Where Moleskine Foundation is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Milan
- HQ country
- Italy
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices3 records
Markets served
Moleskine Foundation business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others, Technology or R&D
Revenue model
- Membership Program: Annual membership at €20 per year, providing newsletters and impact stories to members who join the foundation's vision.
- Donations: Individual donations in multiple currencies (EUR, USD) with various preset amounts. Registered charity in US (501(c)(3)) and Italy with applicable tax benefits for donors.
- Corporate Partnership: Moleskine brand provides core program and operational cost funding through unique partnership, allowing additional external funding to go directly to programs.
- Folios Publication Sales: Cultural publication Folios sold at €19 per volume. Available for purchase online with shipping to Italy, Schengen Area/UK, and globally.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Annual | Annual Membership - €20/year |
| Other | Pay-as-you-go | Donation tiers in EUR and USD |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Folios publication - €19 per volume |
| Other | Pay-as-you-go | Creative Tools donations to NGOs - Small, Medium, Large tiers |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels5 records
Marketing channels7 records
Moleskine Foundation product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Moleskine Foundation is a non-profit foundation that drives creativity for social change by delivering grants to creative non-profits (Creativity Pioneers Fund), running educational programs including intensive youth workshops (AtWork) and African Wikipedia content expansion (WikiAfrica Education), publishing the periodic Folios cultural publication, distributing creative tools such as notebooks to underserved communities, and curating a collection of over 1,500 artist-created works. Core operational costs are fully funded by the Moleskine brand partnership, allowing external donations to flow directly into programs.
Product overview
The Moleskine Foundation is a non-profit organization offering a portfolio of interconnected programs centered on creativity for social change: the Creativity Pioneers Fund (established 2021) provides grants to global creative organizations; WikiAfrica Education (2018) expands African content on Wikipedia; AtWork (since 2012) delivers intensive creative workshops; Folios is the Foundation's cultural publication (since 2019); the Creativity Pioneers Podcast (2020) distributes conversations with creative thinkers; Creative Tools for Social Change donates notebooks to underserved communities; and the Moleskine Foundation Collection houses over 1,500 works by artists. These programs work together to unlock youth creative potential and drive social transformation through unconventional educational experiences, grants, and storytelling.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Creativity Pioneers Fund Collaborative philanthropic initiative that provides grants and resource support to non-profit organisations worldwide using creativity and culture to address social and environmental issues. Open-call application process reviewed by Moleskine and foundation teams.
- WikiAfrica Education Educational program that empowers African voices by increasing production, access, and awareness of contextually and linguistically relevant knowledge resources on Wikipedia and Wikimedia platforms. Includes AfroCuration event series, Higher Education Initiative, and WikiAfrica Schools curricula.
- AtWork Itinerant 5-day intensive workshop format that unlocks the creative potential of young people from underserved communities through critical thinking, growing self-awareness and self-confidence, and stimulating changemaking attitude. Delivered in partnership with local cultural organizations in 18 global chapters.
- Folios Cultural Publication Periodic cultural publication of the Moleskine Foundation highlighting and deepening programs and initiatives through the voices and experiences of partners and beneficiaries. Published in English, 2-3 issues per year, sold at €19 per volume through the foundation's online store with international shipping.
- Creativity Pioneers Podcast Podcast exploring the link between creativity and social change, providing new perspectives and unconventional ideas through conversations with unique creative minds from around the world. Distributed across major podcast platforms.
- Creative Tools for Social Change Long-term program donating notebooks, cahiers, and writing instruments to non-profit organizations across Europe, UK, US, Canada, and Mexico. Donations are offered in Small (250–1,000 notebooks), Medium (1,001–3,000), and Large (3,001–5,000) tiers and support creative communities worldwide.
- Moleskine Foundation Collection Curated art collection of over 1,500 unique works created by artists who contribute notebooks to raise awareness on creativity as a tool for social change and to spread the culture of sharing and giving. Functions as a cultural and fundraising resource through exhibitions and storytelling initiatives.
Quantifiable outcome
- 5.91M Wikipedia article views, 11.2K articles edited, 4.69K articles created, 949 editors, 25 programs across 19 African languages (WikiAfrica Education since 2018)
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use Moleskine Foundation
Customer profileNamed customers8 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Moleskine Foundation technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Moleskine Foundation partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
31 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and supporting.
- MoleskinecoreMoleskine brand committed to support foundation as part of CSR program. Foundation is completely independent organizationally and operationally. Brand's financial contribution sustains foundation allowing all resources to go straight to social impact. 10 years of shared value and expertise allow development of innovative partnership model bringing non-profit and business together for bigger social impact.
- AshokamajorNetwork partner. Previously collaborated on Ashoka Changemaker Schools initiative. Ashoka is a global partnership of organizations scaling innovation for social impact.
- Wikimedia FoundationmajorStrategic partner for WikiAfrica Education initiative. Foundation supports expansion of Africa-relevant information on Wikipedia through various programs.
- Fondazione AuroramajorStrategic partner for Higher Education Initiative within WikiAfrica Education. Training African language speakers at higher education institutions to create content in African languages.
- Kër ThiossanemajorAtWork partner in Dakar, Senegal. Art space that conceived and hosts the AtWork format.
- Fondation DonwahimajorAtWork partner in Abidjan, Ivory Coast.
- Al Riwaq Art SpacemajorAtWork partner in Manama, Bahrain.
- National Gallery of ZimbabwemajorAtWork partner in Harare, Zimbabwe. Also hosts Creativity Pioneer Raphael Chikukwa as Executive Director.
- mARTaderomajorAtWork partner in Cochabamba, Bolivia.
- Darb 1718majorAtWork partner in Cairo, Egypt. Contemporary art space for creative community.
- Makerere UniversitymajorAtWork partner in Kampala, Uganda. Academic institution collaborating on creative education.
- PolimodamajorAtWork partner in Florence, Italy. Fashion and design institute.
- Fondazione Fotografia ModenamajorAtWork partner in Modena, Italy.
- Leo BurnettsupportingPro bono partner providing creative and advertising expertise.
- InterbrandsupportingPro bono partner providing brand strategy expertise. Global Chief Strategy Officer Manfredi Ricca serves on Executive Board.
- MM&L LexsupportingPro bono partner providing legal services.
- Open CaresupportingPro bono partner.
- Another AfricasupportingMedia partner covering African cultural content.
- Art AfricasupportingMedia partner for African art coverage.
- DoppiozerosupportingItalian media partner and online magazine. Marco Belpoliti, co-founder of foundation, is co-editor of doppiozero.com.
- TransistorsupportingPodcast hosting platform partner for Creativity Pioneers podcast distribution.
- Wiki In AfricamajorCo-creator of WikiAfrica Schools initiative. Implements Wikimedia-inspired curricula in South African secondary schools.
- FavinisupportingPaper supplier for Folios publication. Since 2020, Folios printed on Favini's Shiro Echo paper with 100% recycled fibre using vegetable-based ink.
- Wikimedia South AfricamajorWikimedia chapter partner supporting WikiAfrica Education initiatives in South Africa.
- Wikimedia AlgeriasupportingWikimedia usergroup partner for North Africa content creation.
- Wikimedia GhanasupportingWikimedia usergroup partner supporting Dagbani language content.
- Wikimedia NigeriasupportingWikimedia usergroup partner supporting Nigerian language content.
- Wikimedia TunisiasupportingWikimedia usergroup partner supporting Tunisian/Arabic content.
- ALU (African Leadership University)supportingLearning partner in Creativity Pioneers Fund coalition. Executive Director Veda Sunassee featured on podcast.
- Istituto MarangonisupportingLearning partner in Creativity Pioneers Fund coalition.
- SEOC (Social Open Education Camp)supportingLearning partner in Creativity Pioneers Fund coalition.
Scale indicators7 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights4 records
Moleskine Foundation competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Ashoka: Global network supporting leading social entrepreneurs and changemakers. Directly comparable as a network partner of Moleskine Foundation (previously collaborated on Ashoka Changemaker Schools) and shares the changemaker-identification and amplification model central to Creativity Pioneers.
- Fondazione Prada: Corporate cultural foundation of Prada supporting contemporary art, cinema, and philosophy programming. Comparable as a luxury-brand-affiliated cultural foundation running programs, exhibitions, and publications in Milan (same city as Moleskine Foundation headquarters).
- Wikimedia Foundation: Global nonprofit supporting free knowledge through Wikipedia and Wikimedia projects. Directly comparable as a strategic partner of Moleskine Foundation on WikiAfrica Education and as a knowledge-equity-focused grantmaking entity with overlapping mission areas.
- Fondation d'entreprise Hermès: Corporate foundation of Hermès supporting contemporary craftsmanship, design, and arts education. Comparable as a corporate-affiliated arts and education grantmaking foundation with a similar artisan/craft focus and European base.
- Prince Claus Fund: Dutch-headquartered cultural and development foundation that supports artists and cultural practitioners in Africa, Asia, Latin America, and the Middle East. Highly comparable to Moleskine Foundation in mission (creativity/culture as social change tool), grantmaking approach, and geographic focus.
- BIC Foundation: Corporate-affiliated foundation of BIC supporting education and creative development. Direct peer as a co-funder in the Creativity Pioneers Fund coalition with a similar corporate-CSR-grantmaking hybrid model.
- Fondation Cartier pour l'art contemporain: Corporate foundation of Cartier dedicated to contemporary art exhibitions and cultural exchange. Directly comparable as a corporate-affiliated arts foundation supporting artists from the Global South and running both exhibitions and international cultural programming.
Broad incumbents
- King Baudouin Foundation: Major Belgian public-benefit foundation managing significant philanthropic assets across multiple domains. Broader incumbent peer as a co-funder in the Creativity Pioneers Fund coalition and as a comparable European grantmaking foundation with substantially larger scale.
- Doen Foundation: Dutch foundation supporting innovative entrepreneurs and artists addressing social and environmental challenges. Comparable as a co-funder in the Creativity Pioneers Fund coalition and as a peer in European creative-for-social-change grantmaking.
- Open Society Foundations: One of the world's largest private foundations supporting civil society, education, and arts globally. Comparable as a network partner and co-funder in the Creativity Pioneers Fund, though vastly larger and with broader thematic scope.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Moleskine Foundation social profiles
Digital presenceMoleskine Foundation financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Moleskine Foundation leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles16 records
Moleskine Foundation funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Moleskine Foundation M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Moleskine Foundation
What does Moleskine Foundation do?
Moleskine Foundation is a non-profit foundation that drives creativity for social change by delivering grants to creative non-profits (Creativity Pioneers Fund), running educational programs including intensive youth workshops (AtWork) and African Wikipedia content expansion (WikiAfrica Education), publishing the periodic Folios cultural publication, distributing creative tools such as notebooks to underserved communities, and curating a collection of over 1,500 artist-created works. Core operational costs are fully funded by the Moleskine brand partnership, allowing external donations to flow directly into programs.
Is Moleskine Foundation a public or private company?
Moleskine Foundation is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Moleskine Foundation founded?
Moleskine Foundation was founded in 2006. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Moleskine Foundation based?
Moleskine Foundation is headquartered in Milan, Italy, in the Europe region.
How does Moleskine Foundation make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Membership Program is the primary driver. The others are donations, corporate Partnership and folios Publication Sales.
Who are Moleskine Foundation's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Ashoka, Fondazione Prada, Wikimedia Foundation, Fondation d'entreprise Hermès, Prince Claus Fund, BIC Foundation and Fondation Cartier pour l'art contemporain. Broad incumbents are King Baudouin Foundation, Doen Foundation and Open Society Foundations.
Does Moleskine Foundation have an API?
No public API is recorded for Moleskine Foundation.
What industry is Moleskine Foundation in?
Moleskine Foundation's product category is Non-profit foundation services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAGAKAJ, Arts, Culture & Humanities Grantmaking Foundations, with a secondary code of BPAGAKAK, Education Grantmaking Foundations. Its NAICS code is 813211 and its SIC code is 8200.