John S. Latsis Public Benefit Foundation

The John S. Latsis Public Benefit Foundation, an independent, non profit organization, was established in 2005 in Liechtenstein with the aim of undertaking and supporting a variety of public benefit activities in the areas of science, education, culture, arts, social welfare, environmental protection, etc.

It is named after the late John Latsis (1910-2003), a Greek tycoon, whose various entrepreneurial activities in Greece and other countries all over the world were accompanied by public benefit work.

The Foundation’s grant making strategy focuses mainly on the support of initiatives contributing to the advancement of Greece and its citizens, both locally and internationally. Since its establishment, the John S. Latsis Foundation has implemented, apart from its various individual contributions, a series of ad-hoc funding programs. One of those programs with a particular contribution to the field of scientific research is the "Scientific Projects" program that begun in 2008 and has funded, to date, more than 80 scientific projects covering a wide spectrum of scientific topics. Moreover, after the devastating fires that struck many regions of Greece in the summer of 2007, the Latsis Foundation designed, funded and implemented “It is Our Duty”, an independent program, in order to restore the fire-stricken regions, to provide afflicted citizens with financial support, to strengthen the national and volunteer forest protection mechanisms, and to restore the natural environment. The first version of this program ended in 2010 and was later reactivated in 2012, this time as a Social Solidarity Program, having as its main objective to contribute to the relief of the vulnerable sectors of Greek society hardest hit by the effects of the ongoing fiscal crisis. Another indicative activity that begun in 1997 and is now implemented by the John S. Latsis Public Benefit Foundation is the series of publications entitled “The Museums Cycle”, that begun in 1997. Until today, the series volumes have presented to the reader thirteen different archaeological museums of Greece. All the series volumes are available as e-books in the Foundation's website.

As mentioned in its website "the John S. Latsis Public Benefit Foundation invests significant time and thought in determining the projects where its funds will have the greatest multiplier benefit. This is possible through strategic, long-term planning that combines the Foundation’s values and priorities with a steady, clear-eyed look at society and its true needs".