The Foundation is named after Tito Balestra, one of the greatest Italian poets of the twentieth century. It was established in 1986 thanks to the donation of his heritage (2302 works including oils, graphics and sculptures) by his widow Anna Maria De Agazio. It is a permanent institution, open to the public and working for the community. It is registered as a non-profit institution since 1998. Its primary purpose is to promote the study and knowledge of cultural heritage.

The Foundation aims to organise initiatives for disseminating knowledge of contemporary art and twentieth-century literature, with particular attention to Tito Balestra’s works. In order to achieve these objectives, it manages the art collection, the library and the educational workshops at the Malatestian castle of Longiano.