During the first fifteen years of operation the Cassa made donations to the few charitable institutions then existing, to the almshouse, and then to the Society of St. Vincent de Paul and the Compagnia di carità. The pattern of these early donations already indicates the intelligent policy adopted: generous donations to organisations with proven experience in the organisation and targeted distribution of charity. This same policy has been followed ever since.
Today the Cassa di Risparmio has grown, transforming itself into a successful credit institution, while the Foundation, now ten years old, is responsible for continuing the traditional philanthropic work of the organisation.
Almost all the charitable donations given by the Foundation come in response to specific requests and applications. It often comes to the aid of long-term projects, following the development of an initiative throughout, but sometimes it also intervenes to resolve individual problems in cases where other organisations cannot react with sufficient speed.
The Foundation operates throughout the province of Ferrara, where it has its roots, and in the surrounding areas. It may also become involved in national or international projects of major social importance.
In the Foundation's other areas of activity, it is increasingly common for it to budget for long-term initiatives following a well-defined programme; less frequently, there is an impression that there is a similar approach to assistance. A more ambitious aim, however, would be to promote and conduct projects in this area. This may lie in the future. In the meantime, the Foundation continues to step in where the need arises, and this is undoubtedly rewarding.