Founded in 1986 as the Fundación Hernando de Larramendi by Ignacio Hernando de Larramendi y Montiano, at his death in 2001 the Board of Patrons, by unanimous decision, changed its name to its present name, the Ignacio Larramendi Foundation.

That same year his widow, Lourdes Martínez Gutiérrez, took over as President to continued the work started by her husband until january of 2015.

Ignacio Hernando de Larramendi y Montiano bestowed on the Foundation principles which, true to his own spirit, keep it financially independent and non-partisan, together with objectives in keeping with his long-held religious convictions and cultural and patronage concerns, particularly as they relate to the dissemination of thinking originating in Spain, Spanish America, Portugal, and Brazil.

Coupled with his management skills, these concerns led him to undertake initiatives aimed at spreading the thinking, science, prose, and poetry emanating from Spain, Spanish America, Portugal, and Brazil and at studying the historical roots underpinning these great cultural movements.

This is the direction he mapped out for the Foundation, and this is the work to which we are still dedicated day by day.

Guiding principles

The Foundation adheres to certain guiding principles to ensure its independence and avoid the operational and ideological pitfalls that can ensue from official subsidies or subsidies of other kinds, and accordingly it can accept donations only from persons whose last name is Hernando de Larramendi, though it may co-fund projects jointly with other institutions. Similarly, Patrons must have Hernando de Larramendi as their first or second surname, with the exception of the original Board of Patrons, which included Ms. Lourdes Martínez Gutiérrez, wife of Ignacio Hernando de Larramendi y Montiano. Equally, by exception may form part of the same, by decision of the Board of Patrons, those people because of their special relationship with the founder, Mr. Ignacio Hernando de Larramendi y Montiano, or for their relevant contribution to the activities of the Foundation, deserve belong to Board of Patrons.

Patrons are to render their services completely disinterestedly and are not entitled to remuneration of any kind for performing their duties; they should also be in agreement with the Foundation’s spiritual and ideological purposes.

If at some future time there is no longer anyone who is eligible to accept the position of Patron who adheres to its guiding principles, the Board shall dissolve the Foundation, and its endowment and funds shall be donated to the Madrid-Alcalá Diocese of the Catholic Church.

Objectives

The objectives were defined by the Founder in the Articles of Association:

The purpose of the Foundation shall be to contribute to the following objectives in the common interest by offering support for physical or intellectual needs, free of charge:

  1. Promoting charity in social relations as a concrete expression of love and preference for the weak and the disadvantaged, which underlies the doctrine of the Catholic Church, and protecting economically or otherwise underprivileged people or groups.
  2. Assessing the work of independent institutions as means of optimizing resources and invigorating society.
  3. Studying the historical influence of the Carlist movement on Spanish society.
  4. Promoting not-for-profit scientific studies and activities in the common interest.

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