After the purchase of Villa Emo, completed by notarial act on 22nd December 2004, the new owners, the Credito Trevigiano Cooperative Bank, realised the need to create a separate board with the specific task of safeguarding the villa and overseeing its maintenance as well as promoting cultural initiatives on the premises.

The Villa Emo Foundation was born on 25th July 2005. The notary Marco Tottolo presided and the act was registered on 29th July, index number 348. On 15th December 2005 the Foundation was registered under number 178 at the prefecture in Treviso.

This is a cultural non-profit-making foundation which operates under the direct control of the Ministry of Arts and Culture, represented on the board by the Regional Director of Cultural and Environmental Affairs.