Our Initiatives
The Antonio Percassi Family Foundation
Established in 2013 by Antonio Percassi, the Foundation’s aim is to implement initiatives to enhance the Bergamo area, across many different fields and sectors.
The driving force and beating heart of the charitable foundation is its focus on people in an economically and socially disadvantaged position, and children in particular. It also strives to promote culture in its broadest sense. It is no coincidence that the Foundation chose Crespi d’Adda – recognised in 1995 as a UNESCO World Heritage Site – as its headquarters.
The “Giardino della Pace” (Garden of Peace), a unique work of art commissioned by Antonio Percassi and his family in memory of their beloved parents, Pierina and Francesco, was created on the occasion of the canonisation of Pope John XXIII and contributes to making the Sanctuary of Sotto il Monte Giovanni XXIII one of the most important in Italy.
This great project combines culture and entrepreneurial commitment, art and spirituality, research and simplicity, exemplifying the “quest for beauty” that has always set the Percassi family and their company’s way of working apart.
In addition, the Foundation is constantly committed to promoting, supporting and nurturing the growth of corporate welfare to the benefit of all Percassi Group employees, the true driving force of this large family.
InCammino – Towards the Jubilee 2025
Every year The Starbucks Foundation launches the “Global Community Impact Grants” programme involving all its partners, who can nominate local non-profit organisations to support programmes with a significant impact.
Percassi, as the sole licensee partner of Starbucks in Italy, nominated Pane Quotidiano, a non-profit organisation based in Milan that distributes basic food items free of charge to people in need, and also made a donation to the organisation.
As part of this initiative, in order to strengthen its impact in terms of social commitment and responsibility, Percassi launched the corporate volunteering days at Pane Quotidiano headquarters. On these days, company volunteers support the non-profit organisation in preparing food parcels and distributing them directly to people in need, who visit the association every day.
Pane Quotidiano Onlus:
Every year The Starbucks Foundation launches the “Global Community Impact Grants” programme, involving all its partners, who can nominate local non-profit organisations to support programmes with a significant impact.
Percassi, as the sole licensee partner of Starbucks in Italy, nominated Pane Quotidiano, a non-profit organisation based in Milan that distributes free basic food items to people in need, and made a donation to it.
As part of this initiative, in order to strengthen its impact in terms of social commitment and responsibility, Percassi launched the corporate volunteering days at Pane Quotidiano headquarters. On those days, company volunteers support the non-profit organisation in preparing the food parcels and distributing them directly to those in need, who visit the association every day.
Banco Alimentare
Since 2019, the Starbucks Stores managed by Percassi have been collaborating with the Banco Alimentare association. Set up initially in Milan, this collaboration has gradually spread to all cities with Starbucks Stores and provides food for people in need while reducing food waste. All products that can be withdrawn from sale and donated at the end of the day or the following day at the latest – including those with allergens and sensitive ingredients – are selected and offered following a careful evaluation of the individuals who receive them.
Fondazione Don Gino Rigoldi
The collaboration with Don Gino – Chaplain of the IPM Cesare Beccaria, a Juvenile Detention Centre for 50 years, and now Chaplain Emeritus – has been ongoing for several years. Initially, Starbucks expressed the desire to expand its first European Reserve Roastery in Milan to also include the outdoor area in Piazza Cordusio, where the social news-stand managed by Don Gino Rigoldi’s Cooperativa Sociale Comunità Nuova was located. Agreements followed whereby, in exchange for the outdoor space made available, Don Gino arranged for young people from his foundation to be employed at the Roastery. Since then, the collaboration with Percassi Group has continued through the involvement of the Human Resources Department, which offers training courses for boys and girls who are part of the Fondazione Don Gino Rigoldi’s “Credito al Futuro” programme. These training sessions focus on how to write a resume, handle a job interview and search for job opportunities, with direct experience in our shops to learn about retail-related activities in the field, fostering the development of these young people from disadvantaged backgrounds and promoting their integration in the world of work.
Associazione Italiana Persone Down (AIPD)
Percassi Group’s Bergamo offices sort plastic caps, which are then collected directly by the association’s volunteers through the local network, which gathers up to 6,000 kg of caps per month! The caps are then handed over to a waste sorting facility, which shreds them and reassembles them for building materials. This is Percassi Group’s way of being part of the fund-raising efforts to support various projects run by the association, including holiday programmes, and initiatives focussed on semi-independence and supported housing.
Gender Equality UNI/PdR 125:2022
Percassi obtained the Gender Equality UNI/PdR 125:2022 certification for companies in the Retail segment, confirming its concrete and structured commitment to promoting fairness, inclusion and equal opportunities.
The certification involved 2,070 people – 67% women and 33% men – and attested to the progress achieved in many crucial areas, such as governance, HR processes, pay equity, growth and development opportunities, parental protection and work-life balance. This journey is consistent with the Group’s People and ESG strategy, which places people at the centre of corporate development.
Achieving this certification is a significant step in a broader journey based on accountability, measurable results and ongoing improvement. It is certainly not an endpoint, but rather a tool to further strengthen our processes and consolidate an inclusive and sustainable organisational culture.
This milestone was possible thanks to a shared strategic vision, led by Chairman Antonio Percassi, and the daily commitment of all the people who contribute to the Group’s growth.