The Paolo Gerolamo Franzoni Onlus Foundation, recognized throughout the national territory by ministerial decree, takes its name from the figure of an illustrious Genoese, Abbot Paolo Gerolamo Franzoni (1708-1778), founder, in 1749, of the first public library in the city, later called Franzoniana, in 1751 by the Congregation of the Franzonian Evangelical Workers and in 1753 by the Congregation of the Pious Mothers. Established in Genoa in 2001, it aims to promote and enhance the heritage of historical, artistic, bibliographic archival interest and to promote culture and art. Fitting in the line of a centuries-old tradition of service to mankind and culture, the Franzoni Onlus Foundation promotes scientific research through collaborations with inter-university centers and cultural institutions. As part of its activities, it organizes, among other things, the organization of exhibitions, conferences, seminars, series of conferences, book presentations and art catalogs.