Monaco's Charitable Foundations and Its Season of Giving — And Villa Monaco's Own Tradition of Philanthropy
Monaco's social calendar is built as much around giving as it is around glamour. Behind the galas, auctions and rallies that fill the Principality's autumn and winter months sits a serious philanthropic infrastructure — foundations founded by the ruling family, private benefactors and long-standing institutions, all governed by a legal framework that requires state oversight, accounting and audited reporting. Villa Monaco, three minutes from Monaco in Cap-d'Ail, takes part in this culture directly — most recently when its own team took to the road in the Principality's most storied ladies' charity rally.
The Foundations
Monaco's Leading Charitable Institutions
Monaco's philanthropic landscape is unusually dense for a two-square-kilometre principality. Below, ten of the Principality's leading charitable foundations — royal, princely and private — each with a defined mission and, in most cases, decades of history.
Fondation Prince Albert II de Monaco
Founded in 2006 by Prince Albert II, one of the most internationally recognised philanthropic institutions in the Principality — supporting projects worldwide focused on environmental protection, climate change and biodiversity.
Fondation Princesse Grace
Founded in 1964 by Princess Grace, the foundation supports humanitarian projects for children as well as cultural initiatives and students, and remains one of Monaco's longest-running charitable institutions.
Fondation Prince Pierre de Monaco
Founded in 1966 by Prince Rainier III in memory of his father, Prince Pierre, the foundation promotes contemporary culture and awards annual prizes in literature, music and the visual arts.
Fondation Princesse Charlène de Monaco
Founded in 2012 by Princess Charlène, the foundation is engaged internationally in drowning prevention and uses sport as a tool for youth development and education, with projects now running in numerous countries.
Fondation Cuomo
Founded in 2001 by Alfredo and Maria Elena Cuomo, this independent Monaco-based foundation finances projects across Europe, Africa and Asia in education, health and social development — including the Cuomo Cardio-Pediatric Centre in Dakar.
Fondation Lord et Lady Laidlaw
Founded in 2006 by Lord Irvine Laidlaw and Lady Marie-Christine Laidlaw, the foundation supports organisations helping disadvantaged, sick or vulnerable children and young people, both within Monaco and internationally.
Fondation Nabil M. Boustany
Founded in 2004 by Nabil M. Boustany, one of Monaco's private philanthropic foundations, supporting humanitarian and social projects.
Fondation François-Xavier Mora
Founded in 2014 by Marie-Laurence Mora and Frédérique Mora, the foundation is engaged particularly in medicine, supporting cancer research, prevention and healthcare projects.
Fondation Sancta Devota
Founded in 1995 by Jean-Jacques Lemoine, the foundation supports vulnerable populations — particularly children — through projects in education, ecology and emergency relief.
Institut océanographique, Fondation Albert Ier, Prince de Monaco
Founded in 1906 by Prince Albert I, the institute holds a historic place among Monaco's foundations — established to spread knowledge of the ocean and promote its protection. Today, the Oceanographic Museum in Monaco and the Maison de l'Océan in Paris both fall under its activities.
The Rally
Villa Monaco & the Ladies Vintage Car Rally
Among Monaco's charity traditions, the Ladies Vintage Car Rally holds a particular place for Villa Monaco. The rally pairs classic automobiles with fundraising for Child CARE Monaco — a foundation dedicated to educational projects for disadvantaged children — and has become one of the defining charity events of the Monaco Riviera's autumn season.
This year, the rally doubled as an end-of-summer team-building outing for the Villa Monaco team. Jessica Stockmann, the estate's owner, took the wheel of the villa's own 1970 Mercedes 280SL Cabriolet, alongside Mihaela Radulescu, a Romanian philanthropist and her close friend of nearly twenty years. The route began at Monaco's Place du Casino and wound through the French Riviera into Italy's Bordighera — twelve hours on the road before finishing at the Monte Carlo Beach Hotel, where the Villa Monaco team was awarded the trophy for the day. Beyond the win itself, the rally reflected something the team returns to each year: a shared outing that combines the pleasure of driving together with a cause worth supporting, in keeping with the values the estate was built around.
A shared outing that combines the pleasure of driving together with a cause worth supporting — in keeping with the values the estate was built around.
The Owner
Jessica Stockmann — Giving as a Way of Life
The philanthropic thread running through Villa Monaco traces back directly to its owner. Jessica Stockmann has spent decades engaged in charitable work across several countries. She sits on the board of trustees of the Deutsche AIDS-Stiftung — the German AIDS Foundation — and has supported children's welfare initiatives in India, including her long association with Bal Vikas, a children's home in Mumbai.
In 2011, she was awarded the Blaues Herz in Berlin for years of social engagement in the city, and in 2025 she received the Golden Planet Award for social engagement, sustainable real estate and quality of life — recognising her work across both Villa Monaco and her real estate company, Stockmann³. She has also lent her support to UNICEF over the years. The Ladies Vintage Car Rally, and the Villa Monaco team's participation in it, sits naturally within that wider history of giving. For a fuller look at the Golden Planet recognition, see our Golden Planet Award 2025 post.
The Calendar
Monaco's Charity Calendar · 2026 – 2027
Seven of the Principality's most significant charity dates, from the Ladies Rally that opens the autumn season to the Red Cross Gala that closes the following summer. Several are among the oldest standing charity events in Europe.
Ladies Vintage Car Rally
The traditional ladies' vintage car rally benefiting Child CARE Monaco — one of the defining charity events of the Monaco Riviera's autumn.
Pink Ribbon Monaco Gala
Held at the Salle Empire, Hôtel de Paris Monte-Carlo, combining an exclusive gala dinner with a charity auction of art, design objects and experiences. Proceeds support breast cancer research and the Centre Hospitalier Princesse Grace.
Grande Braderie de la Croix-Rouge monégasque
The Monaco Red Cross's large charity sale, running since 2004 — offering clothing, luxury items, accessories and household goods, with proceeds supporting the Red Cross's humanitarian work.
No Finish Line Monaco
Eight days of continuous walking and running, open to all ages and abilities, held under the high patronage of Prince Albert II. For every kilometre covered, the organisation Children & Future contributes one euro toward projects for sick and disadvantaged children.
Bal de Noël, Fondation Princesse Charlène de Monaco
One of the most glamorous charity evenings of the winter season, built around a charity auction supporting the foundation's projects. The exact date is confirmed closer to the event.
Bal de la Rose
Chaired by Princess Caroline — one of Monaco's best-known society events, combining gala, fashion and music with a charitable purpose. Currently listed for 21 March 2027, pending official confirmation.
Gala de la Croix-Rouge monégasque
An annual highlight of Monaco's charity season since 1957, held at the Salle des Étoiles and combining an international show programme with a tombola. The 77th edition took place on 18 July 2026.
Sport & Charity
Running, Cycling & Water Sport for a Cause
Sport plays an outsized role in Monaco's philanthropic culture — with running, cycling, golf, tennis and water sports all put to charitable use throughout the year.
No Finish Line Monaco
Translates every kilometre walked or run into direct funding for sick and disadvantaged children through Children & Future.
The Crossing & Riviera Water Bike Challenge
Organised by the Fondation Princesse Charlène de Monaco, pairing sport with drowning prevention and awareness for the protection of the Mediterranean. This year's edition of The Crossing ran for the first time from Viareggio in Tuscany to Monaco, with seven teams of four athletes covering roughly 225 kilometres by water bike.
The Princess of Monaco Cup
Pairs an international golf tournament with fundraising for the Fondation Princesse Charlène.
ASF Monaco Tennis Tournament
Held annually at the Monte-Carlo Country Club by Amitié Sans Frontières Monaco — this year running from 12 to 14 June — supporting the Monaco Collectif Humanitaire, which brings children with serious illnesses to Monaco for treatment unavailable in their home countries.
Saint-Tropez to Monaco Charity Bike Ride
Organised by the Champagne & Oyster Cycling Club of Monaco, reached its twelfth edition in 2026 — supporting the Fondation Princesse Charlène de Monaco alongside the My Name'5 Doddie Foundation, which funds research and support for people living with motor neurone disease.
Frequently Asked
Charity in Monaco · FAQ
What are the main charitable foundations in Monaco?
Monaco's leading foundations include the Fondation Prince Albert II de Monaco, the Fondation Princesse Grace, the Fondation Prince Pierre de Monaco, the Fondation Princesse Charlène de Monaco, and the Institut océanographique, Fondation Albert Ier, Prince de Monaco — alongside several private foundations supporting health, education and humanitarian causes.
What is the Ladies Vintage Car Rally in Monaco?
An annual charity rally pairing classic vintage cars with fundraising for Child CARE Monaco, supporting educational projects for disadvantaged children. The Villa Monaco team has taken part in the rally as both a charitable commitment and an annual team-building tradition.
Is Villa Monaco involved in charity work in Monaco?
Yes. The Villa Monaco team has participated in the Ladies Vintage Car Rally benefiting Child CARE Monaco, reflecting owner Jessica Stockmann's long-standing personal commitment to philanthropy — including her work with the Deutsche AIDS-Stiftung and children's charities in India.
When is the charity season in Monaco?
Monaco's charity calendar runs largely through autumn and winter — from the Ladies Vintage Car Rally and Pink Ribbon Monaco Gala in September and October, through No Finish Line Monaco in November and the Bal de Noël in December, with the Bal de la Rose and the Gala de la Croix-Rouge monégasque following in spring and summer.