Filitalia International will bring together supporters, community leaders and friends of Italian culture for its 39th Annual Gala on Sunday, November 1, 2026, at Overbrook Golf Club in Villanova, Pennsylvania.
The evening will combine philanthropy, Italian heritage and recognition of distinguished leaders while supporting one of the organization’s most ambitious projects to date.
At the center of this year’s celebration is a $200,000 fundraising campaign dedicated to expanding Filitalia International’s headquarters in Philadelphia. The facility is home to the History of Italian Immigration Museum and the M. Fabrizio & P. Nestico Center for Language and Culture. The planned expansion is intended to provide additional space for exhibitions, educational activities, cultural programs and community events, while strengthening the organization’s ability to preserve the stories of generations of Italian immigrants.
The gala comes as Filitalia approaches 4 decades of activity. Founded in Philadelphia in 1987 by Pasquale F. Nestico, M.D., and a group of Italian Americans, the nonprofit was established to preserve and promote Italian heritage, language and traditions. Its name reflects that mission – “Filitalia” means “Love for Italy.”
Over the years, the organization has developed programs ranging from scholarships and Italian-language education to cultural events, humanitarian initiatives, professional networking and international exchanges. Its international network has reached 27 chapters across 5 countries, supported largely by volunteers committed to maintaining connections with Italy and Italian culture.
Recent years have also brought significant growth. Between 2023 and 2025, Filitalia added 6 chapters in the United States and Italy and reported an increase of nearly 75% in active worldwide membership.
The November 1 gala will therefore celebrate both Filitalia’s history and its next chapter – transforming nearly 40 years of community work into a larger permanent home for Italian and Italian American culture in Philadelphia.
