ITALIAN CULTURAL FOUNDATION SCHOLARS FUND

 Creating Opportunity. Honoring Heritage. Investing in the Future.

For generations of Italian American families, education represented far more than the pursuit of a degree. It represented opportunity.

Italian immigrants came to America in search of a better life, often working long hours, making extraordinary sacrifices and placing their greatest hopes in their children. For many of those children, becoming the first generation in their families to attend and graduate from college was a defining milestone—one that opened doors to professions, financial stability and social mobility that had once seemed beyond reach.

That progress became part of the Italian American story. With each generation, educational opportunity helped families move forward, build successful careers, contribute to their communities and create greater possibilities for those who followed.

As an organization dedicated to preserving and advancing Italian and Italian American culture, The Italian Cultural Foundation at Casa Belvedere believes that investing in the education of our young people is an important part of carrying that legacy forward.

Established in 2023, the Italian Cultural Foundation Scholars Fund recognizes deserving college-bound students of Italian American heritage who demonstrate academic achievement, financial need, leadership, service and character, by awarding schlarships to defray the significant cost of higher education.

Each scholarship represents a $10,000 pledged commitment per student, distributed at $2,500 annually over four years. Rather than a one-time award, it is a sustained investment in each scholar throughout his or her undergraduate journey.

In 2026, the Italian Cultural Foundation entered it’s fourth year of the program, and committed $90,000 in pledged scholarship support to deserving students—an investment not only in their education, but in the next generation of Italian American leadership, achievement and cultural stewardship.

Our Scholarship Awards

All three scholarships are awarded through a single application and selection process and share the same commitment to financial need, academic achievement, leadership, service and Italian American heritage.

Italian Cultural Foundation Scholars Award
Established in 2023, the Italian Cultural Foundation Scholars Award reflects Casa Belvedere’s broader mission to preserve and celebrate Italian American heritage while investing in the promise of future generations.

The award recognizes an outstanding college-bound student whose academic achievement, leadership, service and character exemplify the values of the Foundation. Each recipient receives a $10,000 pledged scholarship, distributed over four years, helping to ease the financial burden of higher education while encouraging the pursuit of excellence and continued connection to his or her Italian American heritage.

Vito & Rosalia Biancardi Memorial Scholarship
Established in 2023, the Vito & Rosalia Biancardi Memorial Scholarship honors the parents of Casa Belvedere Founder and President Gina Biancardi and reflects a story shared by countless Italian American families.

Vito and Rosalia came to America as Italian immigrants with determination, a strong work ethic and the hope of creating greater opportunities for their children. They worked tirelessly and sacrificed so that their children could pursue an education and a future that had not been available to them.

To Vito and Rosalia, education represented independence, stability and possibility—and the most meaningful inheritance they could give the next generation.

Funded annually by the Biancardi family, this $10,000 four-year scholarship commitment carries their values forward by helping another deserving Italian American student pursue a college education and the opportunities it can make possible.

Connie Profaci Scholarship Award
Launching in 2026, the Connie Profaci Scholarship Award was established by the Profaci family to honor Connie Profaci’s extraordinary life, entrepreneurial spirit, work ethic, resilience and enduring impact on the Staten Island community.

Through decades of leadership in the real estate profession and a life defined by determination and achievement, Connie exemplifies the belief that hard work, perseverance and opportunity can transform lives.

The $10,000 scholarship, distributed over four years, honors her legacy by investing in a deserving student who demonstrates the drive, character and promise to build a meaningful future of his or her own.

Through the Italian Cultural Foundation Scholars Fund, we honor the sacrifices that made opportunity possible, support the students carrying that legacy forward, and invest in the promise of generations yet to come.

Consider making a meaningful difference by supporting deserving students through a tax-deductible contribution to the Italian Cultural Foundation Scholars Fund.

SUPPORT THE ITALIAN CULTURAL FOUNDATION SCHOLARS