Our Programs

The American Foundation of Savoy Orders has established three programs: The Savoy History Series, the Savoy Orders Pigott Scholarships and a NGO Program in Special Consultative Status with the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations. These programs are in keeping with the noble traditions of honor and service that distinguish the centuries-old Dynastic Orders of the House of Savoy and the significant tole that the Savoy dynasty played in European history, culture and philanthropy.

​​Savoy History Series 
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The Savoy Foundation plays host to the most eminent historians, writers, artists and thinkers in the nation. Beginning with our inaugural lecture in 2003, the annual Savoy History Lecture Series features a wealth of topics across historical periods and themes, with an emphasis on the Savoy dynasty and European history and culture. The series brings a wide array of extraordinary lectures and dynamic conversations to New York City. Through the generosity and leadership of Series’ founding Chairman Emeritus Marco Grassi and also funded by the Savoy Foundation’s educational endowment, the Savoy History Lecture Series brings leading lights of European intellectual history to Manhattan. A broad range of topics, particularly in relation to Italy, are presented by eminent scholars, curators, writers and visual artists. Highlights from current exhibitions, film discussions, and musical performances enhance the historical and contemporary significance of the presentations.

​Click here to learn about upcoming and past lectures and to watch video recordings of past presentations.

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​​Savoy Orders Pigott Scholarships

Each year, the Savoy Foundation awards three $2500 scholarships to outstanding undergraduate or graduate students for use during the following academic year in the fields of arts and humanities and in international studies. The scholarships are funded by an endowment established by the Mark Pigott family in 2010. Students must meet certain criteria: be enrolled in a US accredited institution of higher education, be a United States citizen or permanent resident alien.  For scholarships in arts and humanities academic disciplines, students in Italian studies will have preferred consideration.  

​Click here for current scholarship guidelines and application
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NGO Program

The Savoy Foundation’s NGO Roster Consultative Status with the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations enables the Foundation to participate in the medical, poverty and educational work of the United Nations. It also provides an excellent opportunity to form strategic alliances with the international philanthropic community with which the Savoy Orders are already active. The Foundation sends representatives to the United Nations in New York to attend meetings and conferences which are open to NGOs in consultative status. Recipients of the Savoy Orders Pigott Scholarships in the field of International Studies also periodically attend NGO briefings at sessions relating to the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations. Scholarship recipients are required to write brief summaries of each meeting they attend. Foundation representatives guide and supervise the student's activities at the United Nations.

An official representative from the Savoy Foundation  participates in meetings on a wide array of issues, such as the environment, women’s rights, and economic development. Many other not-for-profit organizations operate in fields not related to politics.