Changing the World, Together
Convenings offer a unique opportunity to forge collaborations and transform ideas into action. The Rockefeller Foundation designs convenings to achieve breakthroughs that reshape global systems and meaningfully impact the well-being of people in every part of the planet.
Our Philosophy 
Funding isn’t enough to make transformative change. Real impact depends on relationships, alignment, and shared ownership — making strategic convening a vital way to unlock progress that wouldn’t be possible otherwise. Core Principles For over a century, The Rockefeller Foundation has perfected the art of convening. We’ve developed a blueprint and core principles that outline our approach to strategic and impact-oriented convening. Convening Breakthroughs Discover how convenings at The Rockefeller Foundation’s Bellagio Center have sparked transformative breakthroughs in health, food, finance, and energy by uniting diverse leaders to drive lasting global change.
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Are you ready to turn your idea into action? We host week-long convenings at The Bellagio Center to help innovative leaders strengthen solutions and build partnerships needed for system-level change. Sign up for our newsletter to stay up to date on the next application deadline.
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History of Convenings
Learn more about our historic convenings that have launched organizations and built transformative solutions.
Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research
Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR), the world’s largest agricultural research network, got its start during a series of Bellagio meetings over fifty years ago. Today, it unites 15 top-tier research centers to address climate resilience, food insecurity and other pressing challenges in agriculture.
The Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunization (GAVI)
The Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunization (known as Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance) helps vaccinate more than half the world’s children against deadly and debilitating infectious diseases. It all started at a 1999 Bellagio convening.
Global Impact Investing Network (GIIN)
The field of Impact investing — and the term to describe it — got its start at two Bellagio convenings. The Foundation set the stage in 2007-'08, leading to the 2009 creation of the Global Impact Investing Network (GIIN), an independent nonprofit which connects a diverse network of investors committed to generating social and environmental impact alongside financial returns.
Global Energy Alliance for People and Planet (GEAPP)
We believe connecting everyone to renewable, reliable electricity is the defining task of our time. In 2021, after a pivotal convening at our Bellagio Center, we helped launch the Global Energy Alliance for People and Planet (GEAPP), which aims to unlock $100 billion in funding. Since its launch at COP26, GEAPP has invested and committed $464 million to 130 projects in 40 countries.
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Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research
Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR), the world’s largest agricultural research network, got its start during a series of Bellagio meetings over fifty years ago. Today, it unites 15 top-tier research centers to address climate resilience, food insecurity and other pressing challenges in agriculture.
1999The Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunization (GAVI)
The Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunization (known as Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance) helps vaccinate more than half the world’s children against deadly and debilitating infectious diseases. It all started at a 1999 Bellagio convening.
2007Global Impact Investing Network (GIIN)
The field of Impact investing — and the term to describe it — got its start at two Bellagio convenings. The Foundation set the stage in 2007-'08, leading to the 2009 creation of the Global Impact Investing Network (GIIN), an independent nonprofit which connects a diverse network of investors committed to generating social and environmental impact alongside financial returns.
2021Global Energy Alliance for People and Planet (GEAPP)
We believe connecting everyone to renewable, reliable electricity is the defining task of our time. In 2021, after a pivotal convening at our Bellagio Center, we helped launch the Global Energy Alliance for People and Planet (GEAPP), which aims to unlock $100 billion in funding. Since its launch at COP26, GEAPP has invested and committed $464 million to 130 projects in 40 countries.
Transforming Ideas Into Impact:
Born at Bellagio: A Fair Share Tax Coalition
Fair Share America aims to inform a national tax and revenue strategy to transform the U.S. economy, support working families, and increase resources so budgets can meet climate change challenges.
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New York Headquarters Our global headquarters is the host of dozens of convenings throughout the year. Regional Offices From Nairobi to Bogotá to Bangkok to Washington, DC, our global presence allows us to bring together the best minds needed to improve the well-being of humanity. Bellagio Center Our Italy-based center has been connecting changemakers across sectors and borders to drive impact for decades.