Among the precursors of the Savoy Orders was the Military Order of St. Lazarus of Jerusalem, which originated during the Crusades. The Order of St. Lazarus was an order of hospitallers that took care of lepers. In keeping with those origins, the Savoy Orders focus particularly on charitable activities in the field of health care.

     Foundation grants have been made to Saint Vincent’s Medical Center - Rudolph W. Giuliani Trauma Center in New York City to help pay for and operate a specially equipped ambulance bearing the Arms of the Royal House of Savoy.

     Other recent grants have gone to Boys' Towns of Italy, Cabrini Hospital Hospice Center, Catholic Charities USA–World Trade Center Fund and Hurricane Relief Fund for New Orleans, to Doctors Without Borders for Tsunami Relief and Haiti Earthquake Relief, to the Italian Red Cross for  Abruzzo Earthquake Relief,  to the Catholic Near East Welfare Association for the care of needy children in the Near East.