OUR FOUNDER
Stavros S. Niarchos: His Life & Achievements

Niarchos served in the Greek Navy during World War II. He participated in the Allied operations in Normandy and was awarded, among other distinguished service medals, the Commander of the Order of the Phoenix in 1977, the Royal Order of King George I, and the Royal House Order of SS George and Constantine. While Niarchos was serving in the Greek Navy, the Allied Forces leased his first vessel. The ship was destroyed in battle, and Niarchos used the insurance funds as capital to expand his fleet after the War. Thus began the emergence of Stavros Niarchos as a significant participant in the world of international commerce. For many years, he owned the largest private fleet in the world, with his company operating more than 80 tankers and other vessels.

Stavros Niarchos understood the meaning of thinking and acting globally long before the term globalization became so prominent. His business operations began in Greece, the country of his birth and heritage, yet his accomplishments were notable worldwide. Although he was known predominantly for his shipping business, Niarchos’s diversified financial activities were at the core of the global economy from the time he formed the Niarchos Group in 1939 until his death in 1996. He was considered one of the most innovative and successful businessmen of the twentieth century.
By designating a significant part of his estate to establish the Stavros Niarchos Foundation, Stavros Niarchos created an enduring vehicle to enrich the lives of others worldwide.
In 2021, SNF celebrated 25 years of grantmaking. Over the past quarter-century, SNF has formed thousands of partnerships with organizations around the world, seeking to help create lasting positive impact for society. In this work, SNF has been guided by commitment to an open process, accessible to anyone, anytime, and to equal opportunity. SNF’s work, in addition to making grants to nonprofit organizations around the globe, has expanded in recent years to include initiatives to help promote civil discourse, productive exchange of ideas, and civic engagement.
Link to New York Times' Obituary of Stavros S. Niarchos (04/18/1996)