The National Italian American Foundation (NIAF) is a non-profit organization dedicated to preserving and promoting Italian American heritage and culture. As the largest organization for Italian Americans in Washington D.C., NIAF represents nearly 25 million Italian Americans, advocating on their behalf and highlighting their contributions. NIAF provides educational programs for students, works to promote Italian Americans in government and media, and hosts annual events to celebrate Italian culture.

1. The National
Ambassadors of Culture
Italian American Foundation
The National Italian American Foundation serves as a major
advocate in Washington, D.C., for nearly 25 million Italian Americans,
raising the prominence of all things Italian in American culture and
society, and making “Italian American” part of the national conversation.
NIAF remains committed to highlighting the positive images of Italian
Guests enjoy NIAF’s 32nd Anniversary Gala in Washington, D.C., on October 13, 2007 (Image Courtesy - Chris Hays)
Americans and their numerous contributions to the United States.
T he National Italian American Foundation
(NIAF) is a non-profit organization dedicated
to preserving and promoting the heritage and
culture of Americans of Italian descent, the
nation’s fifth largest ethnic group. Founded in
1975, it is entirely non-partisan and headquartered
in the nation’s capital.
As a unified and effective Washington voice for
this community, NIAF provides educational and
scholarship opportunities, as well as programs
and activities, to help our young people. One
such program, the Ambassador Peter F. Secchia
Voyage of Discovery, has helped hundreds of
Italian American college students visit Italy for
the first time. Our Students to Leaders and
Graduates to Leaders programs help high
school and college students pursue careers in
communications, law and other fields by providing
informational forums and networking with Italian NIAF honored Academy Award-winning director Martin Scorsese, Ellen Pompeo of ABC’s hit series “Grey’s Anatomy,” former New York City Mayor and
presidential candidate Rudolph W. Giuliani, Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, actress, singer and entrepreneur Connie Stevens, and CEO of the AARP
American professionals. William D. Novelli at the Foundation’s 32nd Anniversary Gala in October 2007. (Image Courtesy - Keith Jewell)
The Foundation also serves as a liaison
between the Italian American community and the
U.S. Congress, the White House and government
agencies, while also promoting the appointment
of qualified Italian Americans in the government.
The NIAF Frank J. Guarini Public Policy Forum
and NIAF Public Policy Lecture Series are two
programs that feature distinguished speakers
discussing important topics of the day. Past
keynote speakers have included Supreme Court
Justice Samuel Alito, Jr., Chairman of the U.S.
Securities Exchange Christopher Cox, Federal
Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke and former
Federal Reserve Chairman Alan Greenspan.
Additionally, NIAF works to ensure a realistic
portrayal of Italian Americans in the media and
the arts; serves as a liaison between Italy and the
United States by promoting cultural, educational,
economic, and political cooperation; and serves
as a clearinghouse of information on Italy and on
Americans of Italian descent.
Each year, NIAF’s Anniversary Convention
and Gala attracts thousands of guests to
Washington, D.C., for an evening of Italian food,
wine, and culture that honors the contributions of
outstanding Italian Americans to this organization
and the world at large.
www.NIAF.org Participants of the NIAF Voyage of Discovery program, an annual, all-expenses-paid, 10-day educational
Tel +1.202.387.0600
NIAF’s national headquarters, The Ambassador Peter F. Secchia Building (image courtesy - National Italian American Foundation) excursion to Italy for students ages 18-23, meet with local chefs in Campania, Italy
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