On April 2014, on the appointment of Her Excellency Marie-Louise Coleiro Preca as President of Malta, she expressed her intention to set up a foundation for the promotion of the wellbeing of society. A taskforce was set up to develop the Ethos and the Statute reflecting this purpose. The proposals were then shared with the highest authorities of the country, for further recommendations. The Malta Foundation for the Wellbeing of Society was officially set up by the signing of its deed on the 25th of June 2014, at the President’s Palace in Valletta, in the presence of the Prime Minister, former Presidents of Malta, the Leader of the Opposition, the Chairperson of Alternattiva Demokratika, the Rector of the University of Malta, the Attorney General and numerous other distinguished guests. The Foundation immediately began its work on the development of four research entities and the setting up of a Children’s Hub. The Foundation aims to be a catalyst to bring change in society by creating safe spaces in communities and in society , so as together with the academic research can advocate for the necessary changes in society to help in the building of resilient, inclusive, socially just, equitable, peaceful and prosperous communities.

The Foundation’s first offices were situated at Sant’ Anton Palace and later, in 2019 when the foundation changed its name to the Malta Foundation for the Wellbeing of Society, moved to Maison Notre Dame, St Calcedonius Square, Floriana.