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Since 1996

Explore milestones in the Stavros Niarchos Foundation’s (SNF) more than quarter century of grantmaking.

SNF’s mission is broad by design, and the grants we’ve made since 1996 reflect this breadth. Grant projects have taken place on six continents—and in the seas between. They have spanned young and old, remote villages to big cities, alpha to omega (literally, in Greek language tools). They have ranged in size from a few thousand euros to a billion-dollar-plus initiative, but we know that dollar value and human value are two different things entirely. The thousands of grants SNF has made reflect the diversity of the people they serve but are all united by a common goal: empowering humanity. Explore a sampling in the timeline below.

2024

November

Columbia cuts ribbon at SNF Center for Precision Psychiatry & Mental Health

Columbia holds a ribbon-cutting for the SNF Center for Precision Psychiatry & Mental Health, established through a grant made as part of SNF’s Global Health Initiative (GHI) to help advance the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of mental illness through the paradigm of precision medicine.

November

SNF and its Co-President honored by Columbia University’s medical school

In recognition of their support for the creation of the SNF Center for Precision Psychiatry & Mental Health, SNF and Co-President Andreas Dracopoulos are honored by Columbia University’s Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons at its annual Crown Awards Gala.

October

Supporting hurricane relief efforts, United States

In late September, Helene became the deadliest hurricane to hit the mainland United States since Katrina, claiming more than 230 lives across six states, including Florida, Tennessee, and North Carolina. Then, less than two weeks later, Milton, one of the most intense hurricanes ever recorded in the region, passed across Florida, affecting some of the same communities touched by Helene. SNF sought to respond swiftly by partnering with organizations who know the needs on the ground.

July
The honored SNF Co-President, Andreas Dracopoulos, standing between the Rector and the Dean of the School of Health Sciences of the NKUA. All of them are dressed in their gowns. The Dean carefully places the hat on the head of the honoree.

Andreas Dracopoulos and SNF honored by the University of Athens, Greece

Greece’s first and largest university, the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens (NKUA), has conferred the title of doctor honoris causa of the Departments of Medicine and Nursing upon SNF Co-President Andreas Dracopoulos and awarded SNF the title of Grand Benefactor of the University of Athens.

June
SNF Co-president, Andreas Dracopoulos along with GNO artistic director, on the GNO stage.

The Greek [inter]National Opera, Greece

Since 2012, SNF has supported the Greek National Opera’s efforts to engage with a broader public, including creating its new home at the Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center in Athens. Further major grants in 2019 and 2024 have helped the GNO reach new audiences, form new international collaborations, and grow from strength to strength while garnering the wide recognition it has long deserved.

June

Opportunity for Greek artists, Greece

Created in 2017 with a founding grant from SNF, ARTWORKS encourages early-career Greek artists in their practice with opportunities for personal and professional development. At its core is the SNF Artist Fellowship Program, which has welcomed several hundred fellows with additional support from SNF.

June

Growing bioethics expertise, Greece

The SNF Bioethics Academy, which is organized through a partnership between Johns Hopkins University and ETH Zürich and aims to expand awareness of the field in Greece, expands significantly with major additional support from SNF.

May

Construction starts on SNF General Hospital of Sparta, Greece

Construction on the new SNF General Hospital of Sparta begins. Delivery of the SNF General Hospital of Sparta to the Greek National Health System is slated for late 2027.

February

Literacy equality, United States

A grant to the Children’s Literacy Initiative supports its Framework for Teaching and Learning, a research-driven tool that offers insights into how to deliver effective and equitable literacy instruction.

February

Construction starts on the SNF University Pediatric Hospital of Thessaloniki, Greece

Construction on the SNF University Pediatric Hospital of Thessaloniki begins in February 2024.  The SNF University Pediatric Hospital of Thessaloniki, which SNF plans to deliver to the public in late 2026, will represent a significant step forward in health care for children in Greece. 

2023

December

Understanding youth mental health drivers, United States

A grant supports Sapien Labs in expanding its Global Mind Project, a database that seeks to provide a basis for understanding the factors that promote or undermine mental health, to young people ages 13-17.

November

Construction starts on SNF General Hospital of Komotini

In November 2023, construction begins on the new SNF General Hospital of Komotini, which is expected to be delivered to residents of the Prefecture of Rodopi in Northern Greece and beyond and begin serving as to serve as a model of public health care in late 2026.

October
Scientists from The Rockefeller University pose with SNF Co-President Andreas Dracopoulos, who holds a helix-shaped award.

SNF Co-President honored by The Rockefeller University, United States

At an event focused on Accelerating Discoveries in a Golden Age of Biomedicine at New York’s Rockefeller University, SNF Co-President Andreas Dracopoulos receives Rockefeller’s 2023 Enlightened Philanthropy Award.

September

Combatting childhood malnutrition, Madagascar

In the wake of Cyclone Freddy, a grant supports Pivot’s response to its long-term impact, including identifying and treating malnutrition in children, training community health workers, and raising community awareness around malnutrition.

August

Construction resumes on three SNF hospitals, Greece

Following the February 2023 cancellation of the tender for construction of the hospitals included in SNF’s Global Health Initiative (GHI) due to the exceptionally high bids received, SNF, together with Hill International, the Design Team, and expert consultants, engages in renewed deliberations and carried out an intensive direct negotiation process, as a result of which the construction and outfitting of the three hospitals are awarded to AVAX S.A., one of the largest construction groups in Greece and Cyprus.

June

SNF conference on mental health, Greece

President Barack Obama, actors Goldie Hawn and Glenn Close, and experts and advocates from a range of fields come together in Athens at the SNF Nostos Conference on mental health to fight stigma and spotlight solutions on an issue relevant to all of us.

May

Co-President receives honorary degree, United States

SNF Co-President Andreas Dracopoulos receives an honorary Doctor of Humane Letter degree from Johns Hopkins University.

March
Staff from Independent Doctors Association provide care to a child.

Grassroots earthquake response, Syria

In response to the earthquakes in February in Turkey and Syria, a grant supports Choose Love in partnering with local groups in Syria working in their communities to address critical needs for vulnerable populations, including by providing mental health and psychosocial support.

2022

November

SNF Co-President honored by the New York Landmarks Conservancy, United States

The New York Landmarks Conservancy honors SNF Co-President Andreas Dracopoulos at its annual Living Landmarks Celebration for his notable contributions to New York City.

October

Innovative works from artists of color, United States

A grant for the WaterWorks artist fellowship program at Harlem Stage, an SNF partner since 2010, supports artists of color in creating innovative and socially significant works of art.

September

Enhancing orthopedic care, United States

Building on a longstanding partnership with the world-renowned orthopedics institution, a new grant supports the Hospital for Special Surgery in expanding and modernizing its facilities to enhance patient care and research through the construction of its new Kellen Tower.

June

A global conversation on health, Greece

The SNF Nostos Conference in Athens focuses on health writ large by welcoming experts from around the world, paralleling the transformation of SNF’s Health Initiative into the Global Health Initiative (GHI). 

June

SNF’s Health Initiative becomes Global Health Initiative (GHI)

New partnerships with eminent centers of care and research, including Columbia University, The Rockefeller University, and the Child Mind Institute, expanded the initiative’s mission of opening up access to quality physical and mental health care beyond Greece.

June

Sports-based youth development, Mali

Seeing a need in Bamako for the type of sports-based youth development programming that is relatively common in the US, two people with roots in Mali start Care Club Foundation. SNF supports the launch of its soccer-based after-school and summer programs, the creation of a new student study and recreation center, and projects to drill wells to supply clean water in nearby communities.

June

Advanced Hellenic studies, United States

A grant supports two Institute in Advanced Studies Memberships to bring junior scholars from Greece pursuing research in Hellenic Studies to the New Jersey institution.

January

SNF completes grant evaluations in fire relief initiative for northern Evia

Following wildfires in 2021 that devastated forests and left livelihoods in tatters, SNF grants help people return to their professions, provided psychological support, and helped local responders prepare to avert future disasters.

2021

December

Co-President receives FDNY honor, United States

SNF Co-President Andreas Dracopoulos is sworn in as an Honorary FDNY Battalion Chief, the highest civilian award given by the New York City Fire Department, for which SNF has provided longstanding support.

November
Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew places a cross around co-president of SNF Andreas Dracopoulos' neck honoring him as Archon Grand Orator

SNF Co-President honored as Archon Grand Orator

SNF Co-President Andreas Dracopoulos is invested as Archon Grand Orator (Megas Rhetor) by Archbishop of Constantinople and Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I. This honor is given to those selected by the Ecumenical Patriarch for their service to the Church and for their overall contributions to society.

October

Community-centered educational readiness, India

A grant to Pratham supports catch-up lessons to help students in India build functional literacy and numeracy and overcome learning inequalities exacerbated by the pandemic.

October

A mobile museum of African art, South Africa

The Zeitz Museum of Contemporary Art Africa in Cape Town is dedicated to art from Africa and the African diaspora, and an SNF grant supports the museum in bringing a mobile museum program to underserved communities.

August

Discussing humanity and AI, Greece

Taking place in person again following a virtual version during the height of the pandemic, this year’s SNF Nostos focuses on the theme of Humanity and Artificial Intelligence.

July

Grand opening of the Stavros Niarchos Foundation Library (SNFL) in New York, United States

Created through a total reimagining and renovation of the New York Public Library’s central circulating branch with support from a $55 million SNF grant, the Stavros Niarchos Foundation Library (SNFL) offers beautiful, inspiring public space to all.

June

Co-President receives honorary degree, Canada

SNF Co-President Andreas Dracopoulos receives an honorary Doctor of Laws degree from Simon Fraser University in Vancouver.

April

Maternal health amid COVID, Kenya, Malawi, and Zambia

A grant to Amref Health Africa, an SNF partner since 2007, supports maternal and child health projects in Kenya, Malawi, and Zambia, including building community health capacity for COVID-19 prevention and vaccination.

February

Addressing childhood cancer disparities, six countries in Africa

A grant supports World Child Cancer’s pediatric cancer program in Ghana, Cameroon, Kenya, Liberia, Malawi, and Sierra Leone, including through trainings for health workers, awareness campaigns, and efforts to help families stick with treatment.

2020

April

SNF announces a $100 million global pandemic relief initiative

Grants made through the initiative seek both to provide emergency relief for the immediate effects of the pandemic and to help pave communities’ road to recovery

December

Creating opportunity in agriculture, Greece

New Agriculture New Generation, which grew out of SNF support to Rutgers University in 2015, seeks to create employment and entrepreneurship opportunities for young people in the Greek agrifood sector, and a new grant supports its extension.

October

Learning Greek, Canada

Staellinika, a learning tool for young Greek-language learners, launches in full. Its story-driven and game-based courses were first developed through the SNF-supported Rebooting the Greek Language project at Simon Fraser University.

September

Micronutrition, Tanzania

A grant to Sanku supports hundreds of small-scale maize millers in Tanzania in producing fortified flour, helping fight malnutrition for approximately 2 million vulnerable families.

September

Closing pandemic learning gaps, Cambodia, Myanmar, and Nepal

Responding to learning loss in the pandemic, a grant to United World Schools supports remote education with home learning materials, socially distanced group learning, teacher training, and curriculum support.

June

Mother-child services, Greece

A grant supports the construction of a nursery at the Ionia Center, a Greek Orthodox cultural center near Athens, enabling the nonprofit to provide services to mothers and their children.

June

Virtual SNF Conference and more, online

A virtual edition of SNF Nostos, RetroFuture, keeps the annual tradition alive during the height of the pandemic.

February

An inclusive orchestra, United Kingdom

A grant supports the Barbican's London training center for the National Open Youth Orchestra, where young musicians with and without disabilities strive for musical excellence together.

February

A major new art museum, Greece

The National Museum of Contemporary Art in Athens is on the verge of being able to present its full collections to the public, and major support from SNF makes its opening, which subsequently takes place in early 2020, possible.

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