Giving Society - Alumni and individuals

Bocconi University is grateful to all individuals and Alumni who personally have chosen to support its initiatives. As a way of acknowledging their commitment and participation, we have established a series of donor groups, each of them associated with a symbol of the University. The total amount of donations received within a single fiscal year determines to which group a donor belongs. 

Endowment Donors

Alumni and individuals that choose to donate to the endowment, rather than to current priorities, are donors who demonstrate that they place great trust in the University, its mission and its management of resources. The endowment is, in fact, the University's capital fund, which the University invests for the long-term and which generates an annual return, guaranteeing the independence and sustainability of Bocconi activities over time.

Ettore Bocconi Society

This society comprises all donors who have made a bequest to the University. Ettore Bocconi, son of Ferdinando and brother of Luigi, led the University until his death and bequeathed the entire Bocconi family estate to the University his father had founded.

Alloro Circle

  • Alloro Diamond over 1,000,000 euros
  • Alloro Gold over 100,000 euros
  • Alloro Silver from 50,000 to 99,999 euros
  • Alloro Bronze from 10,000 to 49,999 euros

The laurel (alloro) wreath in the University's crest represents the accomplishment and the good fortune of having achieved knowledge and understanding through sacrifice and dedication. The laurel - laurus in Latin, from which the word "laureate" also derives - is a symbol of victory, knowledge and wisdom. For this reason, it is used to crown new graduates

Leoni Circle

  • from 1,000 to 9,999 euros

The lion sculptures, by Arturo Martini, in the entrance hall of the main building at Via Sarfatti 25, are the University's symbol par excellence. Tradition has it that you may walk between them only after graduating. Lions represent strength, prudence and courage.

Pellicani Circle

  • from 1 to 999 euros

The pelican has been the University's mascot since the time of the Bocconi University Graduates Association (ALUB), which chose it as its symbol at the beginning of the last century.

1902 - Loyalty Society

This society recognizes all donors who have supported the University for at least two consecutive years. It commemorates the year in which Ferdinando Bocconi, by donating part of his own estate, founded Bocconi University in memory of his son Luigi.