Patronage happening right now

On 1 August 2026, Kommersant Weekend published “Keepers. Maria Tenisheva” — a feature on the Silver Age princess, patron, collector and enamellist. Drawing on her memoir “Impressions of My Life,” the piece follows her path from a difficult childhood to supporting artists, Talashkino and collecting: Tenisheva belongs with Vrubel and other masters of the era, and her name remains central to the history of Russian artistic patronage.

On 29 July 2026, Yekaterinburg hosted the plenary session “The Ural Code of Patronage: From Tradition to Innovation,” bringing together business, charitable foundations, government and cultural institutions. The focus was a shift from one-off charity to long-term social investment in culture, education, urban environments and regional development. Practices presented included projects of the Russian Copper Company and the Sinara and SKB Kontur foundations. Especially notable is the Yekaterinburg Assembly: over 15 years the project has raised more than 1 billion rubles for culture, medicine, education, sport and social support.

The Vladimir Potanin Charity Foundation opened the competition “Practices of Personal Philanthropy and Altruism.” It targets local initiatives that help solve problems of cities, professional communities and specific social groups. The maximum grant is 500,000 rubles; project duration ranges from three months to one year.

In August 2026 Moscow will host free walking tours “Walk and Help” on the history of capital philanthropy. Routes will cover Kuznetsky Most and Bolshaya Ordynka, telling visitors about the Tretyakovs, Morozovs and Mamontovs and places linked to the rise of private charity in Moscow.

As part of comparative research on patronage in the BRICS+ countries, a paper on Iran has been released. At its centre is the waqf, one of the oldest forms of charity, in which property or funds are dedicated to religious and public purposes. The study shows how a centuries-old tradition of earmarked giving operates in today’s legal framework.

Ingosstrakh has extended its partnership with the Bolshoi Theatre’s Young Opera Programme. The programme helps emerging singers and accompanists refine their craft under leading teachers and gain stage experience — an example of corporate patronage investing in long-term training of young performers, not only one-off events.

The premiere of the documentary “Holy Entrepreneurs” was held at the Cathedral of Christ the Saviour in Moscow and attended by more than 1,300 people. The film tells of pre-revolutionary entrepreneurs who built schools, hospitals, almshouses, churches and cultural institutions, and of today’s business leaders continuing the tradition of socially responsible enterprise. It draws on research by the Museum of Entrepreneurs, Patrons and Philanthropists on 33 entrepreneurs canonized as saints and on the legacy of the Tretyakovs, Bakhrushins, von Mecks and Abrikosovs.

Tomsk State University associate professor Alexander Bykov published the monograph “Charity as a Sociocultural Phenomenon.” He traces aid to those in need from antiquity to the nineteenth century and systematically compares Russian and West European models: in Russia the church long sustained the tradition of help, while in Europe municipal and secular authorities engaged earlier. The book was twelve years in the making and is available in open access.

The Manege of the Small Hermitage opened the exhibition “Baron Stieglitz. ‘A Feat of Enlightened Philanthropy’,” marking the 150th anniversary of the Stieglitz Academy. In 1876 industrialist and financier Alexander Stieglitz donated one million rubles to found a school of technical drawing and later established a museum of applied art. About 800 works are on show; many were specially restored and are displayed for the first time.

On June 26, 2026, the State Hermitage Development Foundation will hold its anniversary, twentieth, charity reception at the Winter Palace. Funds raised by patrons and trustees are traditionally directed to the restoration of museum collections and the Hermitage's educational projects.

In its 170th anniversary year, the Tretyakov Gallery has opened the large-scale exhibition “Predecessors. Pryanishnikov and Soldatenkov,” introducing the public for the first time to two of the greatest Moscow collectors of the 19th century. The merchant and patron Kozma Soldatenkov and the official Fyodor Pryanishnikov assembled outstanding collections of Russian painting and bequeathed them to museums — establishing the tradition of private collecting for the public good long before Pavel Tretyakov.

On June 18, 2026, the A. P. Chekhov Melikhovo Museum-Reserve launched the charity marathon “Never tire of doing good!”. The programme brings together private donors and cultural institutions to support museum and social initiatives in the Moscow region.

The Martha and Mary Convent and the Moscow Virtuosi State Chamber Orchestra gave a charity concert, “The Seasons. Reimagined.” Proceeds support the convent's aid programmes for those in its care — an example of culture and mercy joined together.

On June 10, 2026, a gala concert of opera soloists and the symphony orchestra of the Bolshoi Theatre, conducted by Valery Gergiev, will take place at Registan Square in Samarkand. The performance will be held in the historic square, a UNESCO World Heritage site, and will be one of the significant musical events of the summer. 2026 marks the Bolshoi Theatre's 250th anniversary.

More than 3 million rubles have been contributed to the endowment fund of the Museum of Patrons: entrepreneur Igor Rybakov announced that he would double any contributions made to the museum's endowment, supporting the tradition of private participation in preserving the history of Russian patronage.

The annual «Bridges to the Future» award has been established, which will recognize outstanding projects by philanthropists, patrons, and social entrepreneurs who contribute to the development of society, culture, and education.

The «Polylog» Foundation has opened applications for a grant competition for regional NGOs and initiative groups. Support will be provided to projects aimed at preserving cultural heritage, developing education, and social entrepreneurship.

The Ministry of Economic Development, together with Forbes Russia, presented a public register of all registered endowment funds in Russia — for the first time with a system for comparing profitability and expenditure items.

The Ministry of Culture of the Russian Federation has opened applications for the annual «Patron of the Year» award. Nominations: «Estate Revival», «Museum Support», «Educational Initiative», «Preservation of Intangible Heritage».

The 23rd «Museum Without Borders» competition has been announced — the total grant fund is over 200 million rubles. Priority is given to regional and rural museums, digital projects, and inclusive programs.

The second stage of restoration of Alexander Blok's house has been completed: a memorial study and park area have been opened. The work was carried out through private donations and a grant from the Ministry of Culture.

The SberVmeste online donation platform summarized its results: over 1.8 million people supported 1700 NGOs. The average check increased to 540 rubles, and the share of regular donors exceeded 30% for the first time.