History

THE ORIGINS OF
THE FOUNDATION

The Capellino Foundation is funded through its operations rather than through donations. Specifically, it is funded by the profits – after deducting costs, the amount necessary to ensure the Foundation’s continued operation, and taxes – generated by Almo Nature Benefit SpA, of which the Foundation is the sole owner.

We have named this model the Reintegration Economy: an economic model in every sense of the word.

Fondazione Capellino has joined ENEF – the European Network of Enterprise Foundations, the network that brings together corporate foundations in Europe: philanthropic organisations that hold full or partial ownership of a company and guide its strategies and values.

As the sole owner of Almo Nature, Fondazione Capellino, although a non-profit organisation, pays tax in the same way as a standard commercial enterprise, in accordance with Italian law.

Mission

To safeguard the biosphere and biodiversity, giving back to nature what human activity takes away.

Vision

An economic model in which the profit generated by work does not become financial wealth for the few, but is reinvested for the benefit of biodiversity, of which human beings are a part, not the whole.

The story of Fondazione Capellino, as told by its founder Pier Giovanni Capellino

2013

The first insight: forging a new path

I believe that a company can contribute to protecting biodiversity. I considered various options. Initially, I thought about selling the company and setting up a fund for biodiversity. Gradually, however, the idea of keeping Almo Nature began to take hold. This would ensure the continuity of the company and the work of its staff, while giving it a different purpose: not to generate wealth for a single owner, but to serve a universal cause: the protection of biodiversity.

2018

Fondazione Capellino

Fondazione Capellino is established with the specific aim of safeguarding biodiversity and combating climate change.

Pier Giovanni and Lorenzo forgo their dividends, which are allocated to the Foundation.

2018

Donation of Almo Nature to Fondazione Capellino

Following an application submitted to the Italian Revenue Agency 16 months earlier, the Foundation was granted the status of a ‘non profit commercial entity’. This paved the way for Pier Giovanni and Lorenzo to donate Almo Nature to the Foundation free of charge, permanently relinquishing 100 per cent of their ownership rights and voting rights.

2019

The idea of the Reintegration Economy is born

A company that directs its profits towards biodiversity rather than allocating them to one or more individuals.

From 1 January 2018, I chose to forgo my dividends permanently. Eighteen months later, together with my brother Lorenzo, I donated 100 per cent of Almo Nature to the Capellino Foundation for zero euros, having paid the applicable donation taxes.

Almo Nature became an economic instrument in the service of biodiversity. Since 2020, we have referred to this model as the ‘Reintegration Economy’.

2025

A modus operandi that took time to develop

With the Prefect of Genoa's approval of the new articles of association and economic model, the model becomes formally operational. It is based on a company producing dog and cat food that is 100 per cent owned by a foundation dedicated to safeguarding biodiversity.

Biodiversity is protected through practical field projects and a form of activism that offers a constructive alternative to the status quo.

2026

Firefly_Create a refined, conceptual fine-art photograph of a human hand gently brushing the 133738 (1)

The Reintegration Economy: a new economic model

The Reintegration Economy is developed into a theoretical framework: an economic model in which the profits generated by business activities are reinvested in protecting biodiversity, transforming the economy into a tool in the service of life.

What is Almo Nature

Is 100% owned by Fondazione Capellino and represents its main source of funding. Every time you purchase Almo Nature food for dogs and cats, you contribute to the Reintegration Economy.

The Foundation

The link between Fondazione Capellino and Almo Nature

Fondazione Capellino is the sole shareholder of Almo Nature. In 2019, Pier Giovanni and Lorenzo Capellino donated through an irreversible notarial deed, 100% of the economic rights (effective from 1st January, 2018, and governance rights, effective from 28th June 2019, of Almo Nature Benefit SpA to the Foundation.

The Foundation exercises direction and coordination and appoints the Board of Directors.

In the extremely unlikely event that the Foundation were to sell its stake in Almo Nature, the proceeds would become 100% part of its endowment fund, with no possibility of distribution to the founders or third parties.

WHO OWNS THE FOUNDATION

The purpose of the foundation, which is to safeguard the biosphere and, in particular, biodiversity, is its sole “owner” .

The Foundation’s assets including the endowment fund and the operating fund, can never, in any form, return to its founders, their successors, or be distributed to private third parties. The bylaws clearly stipulate how any remaining assets would be allocated in the extremely unlikely event of dissolution.

Every business has an impact on the environment. The model promoted by Fondazione Capellino aims to give back to return to nature what human activity takes from it. This is driven by the essential role of biodiversity, in which we humans are a part, not the whole, in creating the conditions that make life on our planet possible.

Reintegration Economy occurs whenever business profits, public funds, and individual contributions are returned to biodiversity. With Almo Nature, 100% owned by Fondazione Capellino, a non-profit dedicated to safeguarding biodiversity, we are already making this vision a reality.

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