Trevi Fountain coins: from tourist ritual to Caritas charity lifeline

The coins tossed into Rome's Trevi Fountain, averaging €1.5 million annually, are collected by utility company Acea and handed to Caritas Roma, which uses the funds for social projects including food emporiums, shelters, and services for the poor. The tradition, popularized by 19th-century archaeologist Wolfgang Helbig, has been formalized through an agreement with the city of Rome. Caritas director Giustino Trincia notes the funds represent about 10% of the organization's budget, supporting initiatives like Alzheimer's centers, funeral assistance for non-residents, and a night service for the homeless. The five Caritas emporiums in Rome, partly funded by the fountain, have assisted 23,000 families over 15 years. Despite past political challenges—including attempts by mayors Ignazio Marino and Virginia Raggi to redirect the funds—the agreement was renewed by Mayor Roberto Gualtieri in December 2021. The collection process, which starts around 8 a.m., involves Acea workers vacuuming the coins, witnessed by Caritas representative Fabrizio Marchioni, who has overseen the operation since 2011. Foreign currencies are converted every two to three years through embassy agreements. Similar coin-collection practices exist at Las Vegas's Bellagio hotel ($12,000/year for Habitat for Humanity), Disney World ($18,000 for foster children), and the 9/11 Memorial ($3,000).