WELCOME TO THE OFFICIAL SITE FOR
​THE AMERICAN FOUNDATION OF SAVOY ORDERS

​As a charitable organization, the American Foundation of Savoy Orders’ mission, history and current grant making strategies are rooted in supporting local, national and international charities focusing in medical, educational and humanitarian assistance fields.
 
The Savoy Foundation focuses its philanthropy on hospitals and relief agencies for the poor, sick and elderly. Our grants continue the centuries old hospitaller traditions of the ancient but still active Savoy Order of Saints Maurice and Lazarus. The Foundation’s Savoy Orders Pigott Scholarships support U.S. college and graduate students. Our unique Savoy History Series  fosters historic and cultural knowledge about Italy and the 1,000-year traditions of the Royal House of Savoy. The Foundation’s Emergency Response Fund supports emergency relief efforts throughout the world to victims of natural disasters such as earthquakes, hurricanes and floods.

​The Savoy Foundation recently inaugurated  its charitable initiative -  Chivalry for Children's Causes™​ - to support organizations providing integral humanitarian aid and intervention services for disadvantaged children and youth.
​
​The Foundation is a Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) in Roster Consultative Status with the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations. Since 2005, our scholarship students have participated in the medical, poverty and educational work of the United Nations.
 
The Foundation was Incorporated in New York in 1993, as a United States not-for-profit tax-exempt 501(c)(3) charitable organization. Our North American and international, philanthropic work is generously supported by tax-deductible contributions of the members and friends of the American Delegation of Savoy Orders.

Read here for more about the charitable and philanthropic beneficiaries of the Savoy Foundation.

 Events

INVITATION
2 7th  A n n u a l
​
​​ R o y a l  S a v o y  B a l l 
The Annual Winter Charity Gala hosted by
the American Foundation of Savoy Orders
​will be celebrated on Saturday evening,
December 7, 2024 in New York City.

Benefiting
Casita Maria Center for Arts and Education
Young Artists Apprenticeship Program​
EVENT HONOREE
JACQUELINE WELD DRAKE
CHAIRPERSON, CASITA MARIA
SAVOY FOUNDATION PRESENTS GRANTS TO A CHANCE IN LIFE -THE VILLAGE AND COOLEY'S ANEMIA FOUNDATION
​ON JULY 9, 2024

The American Foundation of Savoy Orders, on July 9, 2024, presented grants of $35,000 to A Chance In Life and $35,000 to Cooley’s Anemia Foundation. A Chance In Life provides shelter, education and leadership development for at-risk youth while Cooley’s Anemia Foundation fights thalassemia, a rare genetic blood disorder that requires lifelong blood transfusions and daily drug treatments.  The funds for the grants were raised at the Foundation’s 26th annual 2023 “Royal Savoy Ball -Ballo di Savoia” Winter Charity Gala on December 9, 2023 in New York City. 
​2024 SUMMER COOKOUT - Summer Steak Cookout at White’s Point, Waterford, Connecticut August 3, 2024
​Co-Hosted by Grand Officer George C. White and Dame Commander Betsy White 

​Members and guests of the American Delegation enjoyed a traditional, turn of the century, bona fide summer steak cookout at the historic landmark, beachside family home of Dame Commander Betsy and Grand Officer George White, overlooking Long Island Sound in Waterford, Connecticut on August 3, 2024. Some guests came by train, some by car and some by ferry from Orient Point, Long Island. The White’s had been hosting the annual summer event for the American Delegation of Savoy Orders, weather permitting, since 2010.

Henry Cooke White (1861-1952), the grandfather of Grand Officer George White, was the patriarch of an extremely artistic family, purchased undeveloped land on a coastal part of Waterford, Connecticut in 1891. When passing through the area he found a vantage point overlooking the water, he was overwhelmed by the panoramic view of Long Island Sound, writing in his memoirs, “…I was convinced that this was my Promised land.” Not long after, he built a summer cottage on what became known as White Point the following year. The Whites wintered with his parents in Hartford until they built a year-round home in Waterford in 1913, designed by Wilson Eyre, a Philadelphia architect, after he was inspired by Charles Lang Freer’s home in Detroit. The rustic Shingle style house was constructed of ashlar stone masonry with shingles above, which is sited perfectly on the rocky shoreline. Also on the site is a boat house and garage. Our host and grandson of Henry C. White did not follow in his grandfather’s footsteps as an artist, but rather excelled in the theater arts, establishing the Eugene O'Neill Theater.

​The summer social gathering was attended by more than 30 members and guests who travelled from Connecticut, New Jersey, New York City and Southampton, Long Island.

SAVE THE DATE!

27th Annual
​​ Royal Savoy Ball - Ballo di Savoia
The Annual Winter Charity Gala hosted by
the American Foundation of Savoy Orders,
​will be celebrated on Saturday evening,
December 7, 2024 in New York City. ​

2024 notte di savoia los angeles

2023 BALLO DI SAVOIA 

The 26th Ballo di Savoia (Royal Savoy Ball), the annual winter charity gala hosted by the American Foundation of Savoy Orders, was celebrated on Saturday evening, December 9, 2023 in New York City. The benefit gala was under the patronage of Their Royal Highnesses Prince Victor Emmanuel and Princess Marina of Savoy. The Savoy Foundation welcomed back His Royal Highness Prince Emmanuel Philibert of Savoy, Prince of Venice and Piedmont and his cousin His Royal Highness Prince Dimitri of Yugoslavia, who were guests of honor for this occasion. The royal gala also marked the 150th anniversary of the birth of Elena of Montenegro, Queen of Italy. The Ball was part of a four-day weekend of events organized by the American Delegation of Savoy Orders and the American Foundation of Savoy Orders. More than 300 patrons, benefactors and guests gathered to support the Savoy Foundation's 26th annual white-tie dinner-dance. The event raised funds in support of the Savoy Foundation's philanthropic mission - Chivalry for Children's Causes - and the event's primary beneficiaries: The Cooley's Anemia Foundation which funds medical research fighting thalassemia, a rare genetic blood disorder that requires lifelong blood transfusion and daily drug treatment; and A Chance In Life Inc., formerly Boys and Girls Town, which provides resources for empowering, life affirming educational and health-related programs for youth in under-resourced communities on Staten Island's North Shore.

Prior to Saturday's evening Gala, a welcome reception on Friday evening, December 8, was held at the Lotos Club for guests attending the Royal Savoy Ball. At the ball on Saturday, gala attendees enjoyed a champagne reception, hors d'oeuvres and signature cocktails before the main program began with a royal fanfare. Alex Donner and His Orchestra provided top-tier dance music for the guests to enjoy.
​Savoy Foundation's 26th Annual Royal Savoy Ball (Ballo di Savoia) raised funds for children's charities in New York City with the support of prominent business leaders and under the patronage of the Italian Royal family. H.R.H. Prince Emmanuel Philibert of Savoy and H.R.H. Prince Dimitri of Yugoslavia were guests of honor. The charity event also commemorated the 150th anniversary of the birth of Elena of Montenegro, Queen of Italy. The winter charity gala benefited the Cooley's Anemia Foundation and A Chance In Life Inc.
Ballo di Savoia Welcome Reception, December 8, 2023
​SAVOY FOUNDATION'S 2023 "NOTTE DI SAVOIA" GALA IN LOS ANGELES RAISES $300,000 FOR CATERINA'S CLUB CHARITY SERVING HOMELESS CHILDREN

​​On October 15, 2023, the American Foundation of Savoy Orders presented a record grant of $300,000 to Caterina’s Club, a Southern California based charity aiding homeless children with meals and housing, from funds raised from the Foundation's 2023 "Notte di Savoia" Charity Gala in Los Angeles at the Jonathan Club on Saturday, April 29, 2023. The grant was presented during the annual charity fundraiser for Caterina’s Club on October 15, 2023 which honored H.R.H Prince Emmanuel Philibert of Savoy, who was recently elected as Chairman of the Board of the American Foundation of Savoy Orders, Incorporated.

2023 savoy history series presentation
October 30, 2023, New York City

The American Foundation of Savoy Orders presents the 18th Annual Savoy History Series on Monday, October 30, 2023 at The University Club in New York City with guest speaker, author, historian and Holy Shroud expert, Guy R. Powell, who will masterfully weave a myriad of true historical and scientific facts about the Shroud of Turin, Jesus’s burial cloth, into a fascinating presentation about this treasured relic that Christians and the Royal House of Savoy worked to keep safe over the last two millennia. His presentation, based on his recently published book - The Only Witness: A History of the Shroud of Turin  - will appeal to the history enthusiast, a fan of ancient mysteries, or a seeker of spiritual growth and will captivate your imagination and leave you pondering the secrets at the heart of the Holy Shroud of Turin. 

Mr. Powell will display an actual replica of the Holy Shroud for his presentation. You’ll be captivated by this intriguing account of the Shroud’s miraculous survival from harm and destruction, despite wars, crusades, floods, and fires. Follow its journey from Golgotha in Jerusalem to its final resting place in Turin, Italy, where it has been housed since 1578. Four hundred years later, in 1978, extensive scientific study began in order to prove or disprove its authenticity. Discover for yourself the mystery of the Shroud and determine if you think it is, indeed, the witness to the resurrection of Jesus Christ. 

SAVOY ORDERS PIGOTT SCHOLARSHIPS ANNOUNCEMENT

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - The American Foundation of Savoy Orders is pleased to announce the following five Savoy Orders Pigott Scholarships recipients for the 2023 – 2024 academic year:

​Ms. Kyla Denwood of Washington, DC

Mr. Giovanni Desir of Brooklyn, New York

Ms. Kelechi Dimgba of Rochester, New York

Ms. Elizabeth Elken of Seattle, Washington

​Mr. Callahan Reed Farr of Tempe, Arizona

Press Release:
2023 Ballo di Savoia

Savoy Foundation's
26th Annual Charity Gala -
Royal Savoy Ball -To Benefit Children's Charities and Commemorate Her Late Majesty Queen Elena of Italy

2023 Ballo di Savoia - Royal Savoy Ball
Invitation

ballo di savoia gala weekend of events
december 8-10, 2023 new york city
SAVOY FOUNDATION - 2023 NOTTE DI SAVOIA LOS ANGELES -
POST EVENT PRESS RELEASE
​SAVOY FOUNDATION - CATHOLIC NEAR EAST WELFARE ASSOCIATION  (CNEWA)  RECEIVES GRANT FROM THE AMERICAN FOUNDATION OF SAVOY ORDERS

​Joseph Sciame, President of the American Foundation of Savoy Orders, presented a check for $4,000 on June 27, 2023 to CNEWA's Chair, Timothy Cardinal Dolan of New York and CNEWA's President, Monsignor Peter I Vacccari at the Cathedral of Saint Patrick in Manhattan to help support CNEWA's humanitarian relief activities in Turkey/Syria and in Ukraine.

​While deeply rooted in the past, the Savoy Orders are actively engaged in the challenges of modern society," states Joseph Sciame, and the Foundation in the United States, based in New York City, supports the humanitarian concerns of the Dynastic Orders of the Royal House of Savoy  as well as promotes philanthropic causes of particular concern, from emergency relief to the welfare of children and underserved youth.
SAVOY FOUNDATION - HIGHLIGHTS OF THE 5TH ANNUAL NOTTE DI SAVOIA GALA FUNDRAISER, APRIL 29, 2023 IN LOS ANGELES AT THE JONATHAN CLUB.

Hundreds of thousands were raised for Caterina's Club aiding homeless and hungry children in Southern California.
2022 BALLO DI SAVOIA VIDEO HIGHLIGHTS 
Savoy Foundation Presents Grants to A Chance In Life - The Village and Cooley's Anemia Foundation on April 4, 2023​
​
​The American Foundation of Savoy Orders, on April 4, 2023, presented grants of $42,000 to A Chance In Life and $50,000 to Cooley’s Anemia Foundation. A Chance In Life provides shelter, education and leadership development for at-risk youth while Cooley’s Anemia Foundation fights thalassemia, a rare genetic blood disorder that requires lifelong blood transfusions and daily drug treatments.  The funds for the grants were raised at the Foundation’s 25th annual 2022 “Ballo di Savoia” Winter Charity Gala on December 17, 2022 in New York City. An additional $10,000 grant was also presented to A Chance In Life for Ukrainian refugee children in Italy from funds raised at the annual Savoy Foundation's  St. Lazarus Dinner which was held on April 27, 2022 in New York City.
Picture
accept grants totaling $52,000 from Savoy Foundation President Joseph Sciame.
Picture
Executive Committee Member Frank Somma (left) and National Executive Director Criag Butler of Cooley's Anemia Foundation accept a grant of $50,000 from Savoy Foundation President Joseph Sciame

AMERICAN DELEGATION OF SAVOY ORDERS
SEVENTEENTH ANNUAL ST. LAZARUS MASS
AND SAVOY FOUNDATION CHARITY DINNER, MARCH 1, 2023

On March 1, 2023, the Knights and Dames of the American Delegation of Savoy Orders of the Royal House of Savoy and their guests participated in the seventeenth annual St. Lazarus Mass at the Cathedral of Saint Patrick in New York City. H.R.H. Cav. Gr. Cr. Prince Dimitri of Yugoslavia, Honorary Delegate of the American Delegation, joined the American Delegation. The Mass commemorated the patron Saint of the Savoy Orders, the death of the late King of Italy, King Umberto II who died on March 18, 1983 and the 450th Anniversary of the Founding of the Order of Saints Maurice and Lazarus. The Mass was followed by a convivial dinner at Il Gattopardo Restaurant where more than 45 members and guests enjoyed the festive evening, which raised funds for the charitable initiatives of the American Foundation of Savoy Orders. The Very Rev. Enrique Salvo, Rector of St. Patrick’s Cathedral, hosted the Mass and attended the subsequent charity dinner at Il Gattopardo Restaurant.

2023 Notte di Savoia gala charity benefit - April 29, 2023, Los Angeles, ca