The first benefactor was our founder himself Marquis Stefano Rivarola. It is due to him, for example, that Chiavari had night illumination along the main street the “ Carüggio Drito “ , in 1896; a year before Genoa provided the same necessity.

His brother, Agostino Rivarola who had helped him create the Library, left it all his books. Another benefactor, Emanuele Gonzales, generously donated real estates, money and works of art.

There have been many bequests in the form of works of art, or money to help deserving students with grants.

Others worthy of mention: Giacomo Massa, Luigi Brizzolari, Evelina Costigliolo, Giuseppina Martinengo, Aurelia, Egle e Mario Ravenna, Nicola Rocca, Gianna Rombolini (widow De Ferrari), Irma and Ebe Descalzo, Vittorio Bertiati, Fedora Botto, Alessio Levaggi, Lino Tito Fontana,  Nicola and Settimio Boletto, Maria Rosa Cassani and Giovanni Copello. The Galardi family represented by Arch. Alberto Galardi in memory of his father Decimo and his mother Giuseppina Giorgi, donated valuable works of art and documents, among them the parchment regarding Pope Innocenzo IV of  Fieschi.

Indeed, some of the halls are dedicated to several benefactors: Davide Ghio and Nina Schiffini, Maria Rosa Cassani, Decimo and Giuseppina Galardi.

A formal ceremony is held at the acceptance of a bequest, as well as at the bestowal of awards.