From its founding, The Hellenic Initiative has stood for a new kind of philantropy – one that doesn’t just give, but invests. One that doesn’t simply respond to crisis, but builds resilience. One that measures success not by how much we give away, but by how much we help Greece stand on its own.
This is Venture Philantropy – and it has defined THI since day one.
In many ways, THI embodies the priniciples of philantropcapitalism – a global movement that blends the discipline of business with the purpose of giving. It’s an approach that sees philantropy not as charity, but as strategic investment in social change. Like the world’s most effective enterprises, we operate with goals, metrics and a focus on results.
Bringing together investment and sustainability, THI follows a model where generosity meets strategy. Our donors, Board members, and partners don’t just fund programs – they help shape them. They dive deep. They mentor, measure and more importantly empower. Together, we have turn philantropy into a force for Greece’s long-term growth.
Recently, THI Board member, Andreas Kramvis, exemplified this commitment on the ground in Greeece. Alongside THI’s team, he visited three of our partner organizations – the Greek Food Bank, Odyssea and SOS Children’s Villages – each tranforming lives in its own way: by fighting food insecurity, providing training and pathways to employment, and supporting vulerable families and children. These weren’t cerremonial visits; they were working sessions – coversations about scaling, sustainability, and strategy. The message was clear: THI doesn’t just support organizations; we stand beside them as they evolve and expand their impact.
This hands-on, data driven, and human-centered approach is that makes THI different. We fund programs like ReGeneration which trains and then connects thousands of Greeks with jobs on the ground; and Endeavor, which helps bridge investors and startups from around the world to fuel Greece’s innovation economy.
Every one of these initiatives represents the same DNA: measurable impact, sustainable growth, and deep collaboration between civil society, business, and philantrhopy.
At The Hellenic Initiative we believe philantropy is not charity – it’s investment in the future. It’s about engaging people and organizations to thrive without perpetual dependence. It’s about helping Greece not only recover but lead.
From our Board to out volunteers, from donors to on-the-ground partners, we share one vision: a Greece that dreams, builds, and succeeds on its own terms.
Together, we don’t just give. We invest in a better Greece.
