The Andrea Bocelli Foundation (ABF) was founded in July 2011 by the Bocelli family after they were inspired by the love and positivity received from fans and partners around the world. Since then, ABF has grown to become an independent non-profit organization led by world-class professionals who oversee the strategic development of key projects.

The Foundation’s main mission is to empower people and communities in situations of poverty, illiteracy, and suffering due to disease and social exclusion by promoting and supporting national and international projects that encourage people to overcome these barriers and express their full potential. Since 2011, ABF has raised over 54 million euros, which has led to the construction of 9 schools in Italy and Haiti, which offer access to world-class education to over 3,500 students every day. Furthermore, ABF has created welfare projects that provide access to drinking water and basic medical care to the more than 400,000 people who live in the most remote and impoverished areas of Haiti.

Drexel University’s Charles D. Close School of Entrepreneurship, the first independent school of Entrepreneurship, is founded on the belief that an entrepreneurial mindset enables resilience and confidence. Through our unique approach to entrepreneurship education, rooted in Drexel’s commitment to experiential education, we unlock the inner entrepreneur in all of us. The Close School has brought its educational programming to underserved communities to enable them to reach their full potential.

The Andrea Bocelli Foundation and the Charles D. Close School of Entrepreneurship will continue to embrace our missions – Empowering Everyone – so that we break barriers to suffering and provide the intellectual tools and resilient mindset to disadvantaged communities.

This year’s Entrepreneur Awards Gala is the perfect moment to celebrate our partnership, to recognize innovators, founders, and starters, and to continue to ignite the entrepreneurial spirit for everyone.

Please join us for a magical evening of special musical performances as we celebrate Andrea Bocelli, his family, and our awardees - who through their generosity and passion for impact, inspire us all.

AJ Mattia, Chair
Donna De Carolis, Dean, Charles D. Close School of Entrepreneurship The Silverman Family Professor of Entrepreneurial Leadership