Alexander S. Onassis Foundation

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The Alexander S. Onassis Foundation is simultaneously a charitable organization and a multibillion-dollar empire. Also known as the Alexander S. Onassis Public Benefit Foundation, it grants scholarship money and funds philanthropic projects. However, it also maintains a small shipping fleet and many real estate and securities assets.^[1] Established in 1973 by Aristotle Onassis in memory of his beloved only son, Alexander Onassis, it is based in Vaduz, Liechtenstein, with main offices in Athens, Greece.

Neither the Onassis Foundation nor its assets and affiliations should be confused with Athina (née Roussel) Onassis de Miranda. These entirely separate entities are not associated in any part or any capacity with each other. Ms. Onassis de Miranda inherited the personal fortune of her mother, Christina Onassis, which was and is distinct from the Onassis Foundation.

1 Mission
2 Projects
3 Officers
4 Footnotes

[edit] Mission

As per the Will of the late Aristotle Onassis, the Public Benefit Foundation's purpose is to provide funds in all of the following areas: medicine, education, literature, religion, science, journalism, art, and exploration.^[2] Furthermore, it seeks to promote and encourage Hellenic culture and studies.

[edit] Projects

The Onassis International Cultural Competition Prizes, launched in 1994 and so far awarded every 3-4 years, awards monetary prizes to playwrights, musical composers, painters, and choreographers that have been selected by the Board of Directors.^[3] It fulfills the wish of Aristotle Onassis to have a prestigious and highly selective prize-giving process akin to the Nobel Prize.
The Onassis Cardiac Surgery Centre was completed in 1992. A US$75 million project, the OCSC was five years in construction and is equipped with the most cutting-edge medical technologies and innovations.^[4]
The Onassis Library for Hellenic and Roman Art at New York's Metropolitan Museum of Art was launched in 2000.

Many other Greek scholarship and social welfare projects are undertaken by the Foundation.

[edit] Officers

Each Foundation (Public Benefit and Business) has its own officers. The Boards of Directors have member and presidential elections every year. Each Board has 15 seats. The current President and Treasurer for both Foundations is Anthony S. Papadimitriou, who is the son of his predecessor, the laet Stelios A. Papadimitriou.