CCF Scholarship Donor Profiles
The Italian American Forum
The Italian American Forum
The Italian American Forum is a community of thought leaders in the Italian American community and supports the promotion and preservation of Italian American culture and values, with a goal of passing them on to future generations. Through their commitment of service to the community, the Forum works to support educational and cultural programs for K-12 students, help families in need, and save historically significant cultural sites and monuments in the US and Italy.
As part of their work, the Forum hosts an educational dinner series as a networking component for their members. Speakers have included experts from various creative industries to global business leaders. The Forum also provides support to additional like-minded organizations that promote Italian American culture in different ways. One of the organizations they choose to support is CCF, through the funding of Adopt-A-Scholar scholarships. The two high school students that are currently receiving the scholarships are Natalia and Gia Scipioni, and they both attend Maria Regina High School. Below, you can read quotes from Natalia and Gia about how the scholarships have impacted their lives.
Read More About The Italian American Forum
“I have been blessed to grow up with immigrant grandparents, and I was also raised to honor our elders and treasure all they have taught me about the importance of celebrating our culture, preserving our heritage and above all, the importance of family. They faced many challenges, but they demonstrated with hard work and perseverance they were able to achieve the American Dream. These are lessons I will keep with me the rest of my life and pass onto my children someday. I am very appreciative to be a recipient of this scholarship because it has helped me attend Maria Regina High School where I am receiving a great education in a Catholic school. I am forever grateful to CCF and the Italian American Forum for making it possible for students to attend schools that they may not have been able to attend. I am proud to be an Italian American and I hope to pay it forward in the future.”
- Natalia Scipioni
“The missions of CCF and the Italian American Forum are important because their goals are to preserve our Italian heritage and honor the past generations who have shaped our culture. I was taught the significance of family and the value of passing down traditions. These include learning how to make Nonna’s cavatelli, learning Italian card games like Scopa, and celebrating Christmas Eve Italian style. I was excited and honored to receive this scholarship and grateful that it allowed me the opportunity to attend Maria Regina High School. I love my English class the most and I am enjoying playing softball. Maria Bartiromo has proven that dreams are attainable with an incredible work ethic, which she attributes to her Italian American upbringing. In the future, I aspire to be a successful businesswoman and give back to the Italian American community.”
- Gia Scipioni
Dalio Philanthropies
While not focused on one single mission, Dalio Philanthropies is focused on bringing strong and strategic ideas and programs to life, through strict funding criteria. The Dalio family has varied philanthropic interests, including but not limited to education, oceans, the environment, technology, mental health, child welfare in China, and the arts. To date, the Dalio family has given over $5 billion in funding to Dalio Philanthropies to support their charitable giving priorities.
CCF was the recipient of scholarship funds from Dalio Philanthropies in 2018, which to-date has afforded 26 CCF Scholars the opportunity to, through larger awards, attend the high schools and colleges of their dreams. This would not have been possible without the additional scholarship funding granted through the Dalio family. Three of our CCF Scholars have shared in their own words what the scholarship with the Dalio Philanthropies funds has meant to them, below.
Read More About Dalio Philanthropies
“When the time came to apply for colleges it became a daunting task trying to untangle the best fit academically and which ones we could afford. It had crossed my mind that I could take out a student loan, however the thought of being saddled with a huge debt after college was daunting. The [scholarship] not only allowed me to go to a college that I had determined would be perfect for me but also alleviated the strain the tuition would put on my family. I am now attending classes that have put me on the path to fulfilling my dream of becoming a physician.
CCF and Dalio Philanthropies invested in me and secured my pathway into the medical field. Their generosity has been overwhelming and deeply appreciated.”
- Michael Donohoe, CCF High School and College Scholarship Recipient, Xavierian High School and St. Francis College, Brooklyn, NY
“I feel honored to be selected as one of many deserving candidates to receive such a large award amount from CCF and Dalio Philanthropies. The scholarship allows me to focus solely on my education without worrying that I am putting myself or my family in debt. I am very connected to my Italian heritage and, as an advocate for greater educational opportunities for the next generation. I worked extremely hard in high school and getting the scholarship made me feel that the leadership roles, extracurriculars, AP Courses, and two jobs throughout high school were well worth it. These scholarships give students opportunities to chase their dreams by furthering their education and allowed me to excel in high school and now in college, and I am extremely grateful.”
- Marisa Garvin, CCF High School and College Scholarship Recipient, Preston High School and Fordham University, Bronx, NY
“Receiving one of the largest scholarships awards makes me feel appreciative and humbled. The scholarship I received from CCF and Dalio Philanthropies has helped me and my mother immensely. During the college selection process, I selected St. John’s University before I knew about the scholarship and I had brainstormed numerous scenarios on how to afford school. One scenario was I do not live in the dorms, but I would need to buy a car to commute to school. Another option was to take out a student loan, to which I was ardently opposed. Thankfully, the scholarship I received enabled me to live in the dorms and not need to take out a student loan. Living where I learn is a rewarding experience and I am learning more effectively and surrounded by likeminded people. None of this would be possible without the CCF scholarship I received. I am very grateful.”
- Joseph Salamone, CCF College Scholarship Recipient, St. John’s University
As part of their work, the Forum hosts an educational dinner series as a networking component for their members. Speakers have included experts from various creative industries to global business leaders. The Forum also provides support to additional like-minded organizations that promote Italian American culture in different ways. One of the organizations they choose to support is CCF, through the funding of Adopt-A-Scholar scholarships. The two high school students that are currently receiving the scholarships are Natalia and Gia Scipioni, and they both attend Maria Regina High School. Below, you can read quotes from Natalia and Gia about how the scholarships have impacted their lives.
Read More About The Italian American Forum
“I have been blessed to grow up with immigrant grandparents, and I was also raised to honor our elders and treasure all they have taught me about the importance of celebrating our culture, preserving our heritage and above all, the importance of family. They faced many challenges, but they demonstrated with hard work and perseverance they were able to achieve the American Dream. These are lessons I will keep with me the rest of my life and pass onto my children someday. I am very appreciative to be a recipient of this scholarship because it has helped me attend Maria Regina High School where I am receiving a great education in a Catholic school. I am forever grateful to CCF and the Italian American Forum for making it possible for students to attend schools that they may not have been able to attend. I am proud to be an Italian American and I hope to pay it forward in the future.”
- Natalia Scipioni
“The missions of CCF and the Italian American Forum are important because their goals are to preserve our Italian heritage and honor the past generations who have shaped our culture. I was taught the significance of family and the value of passing down traditions. These include learning how to make Nonna’s cavatelli, learning Italian card games like Scopa, and celebrating Christmas Eve Italian style. I was excited and honored to receive this scholarship and grateful that it allowed me the opportunity to attend Maria Regina High School. I love my English class the most and I am enjoying playing softball. Maria Bartiromo has proven that dreams are attainable with an incredible work ethic, which she attributes to her Italian American upbringing. In the future, I aspire to be a successful businesswoman and give back to the Italian American community.”
- Gia Scipioni
Dalio Philanthropies
While not focused on one single mission, Dalio Philanthropies is focused on bringing strong and strategic ideas and programs to life, through strict funding criteria. The Dalio family has varied philanthropic interests, including but not limited to education, oceans, the environment, technology, mental health, child welfare in China, and the arts. To date, the Dalio family has given over $5 billion in funding to Dalio Philanthropies to support their charitable giving priorities.
CCF was the recipient of scholarship funds from Dalio Philanthropies in 2018, which to-date has afforded 26 CCF Scholars the opportunity to, through larger awards, attend the high schools and colleges of their dreams. This would not have been possible without the additional scholarship funding granted through the Dalio family. Three of our CCF Scholars have shared in their own words what the scholarship with the Dalio Philanthropies funds has meant to them, below.
Read More About Dalio Philanthropies
“When the time came to apply for colleges it became a daunting task trying to untangle the best fit academically and which ones we could afford. It had crossed my mind that I could take out a student loan, however the thought of being saddled with a huge debt after college was daunting. The [scholarship] not only allowed me to go to a college that I had determined would be perfect for me but also alleviated the strain the tuition would put on my family. I am now attending classes that have put me on the path to fulfilling my dream of becoming a physician.
CCF and Dalio Philanthropies invested in me and secured my pathway into the medical field. Their generosity has been overwhelming and deeply appreciated.”
- Michael Donohoe, CCF High School and College Scholarship Recipient, Xavierian High School and St. Francis College, Brooklyn, NY
“I feel honored to be selected as one of many deserving candidates to receive such a large award amount from CCF and Dalio Philanthropies. The scholarship allows me to focus solely on my education without worrying that I am putting myself or my family in debt. I am very connected to my Italian heritage and, as an advocate for greater educational opportunities for the next generation. I worked extremely hard in high school and getting the scholarship made me feel that the leadership roles, extracurriculars, AP Courses, and two jobs throughout high school were well worth it. These scholarships give students opportunities to chase their dreams by furthering their education and allowed me to excel in high school and now in college, and I am extremely grateful.”
- Marisa Garvin, CCF High School and College Scholarship Recipient, Preston High School and Fordham University, Bronx, NY
“Receiving one of the largest scholarships awards makes me feel appreciative and humbled. The scholarship I received from CCF and Dalio Philanthropies has helped me and my mother immensely. During the college selection process, I selected St. John’s University before I knew about the scholarship and I had brainstormed numerous scenarios on how to afford school. One scenario was I do not live in the dorms, but I would need to buy a car to commute to school. Another option was to take out a student loan, to which I was ardently opposed. Thankfully, the scholarship I received enabled me to live in the dorms and not need to take out a student loan. Living where I learn is a rewarding experience and I am learning more effectively and surrounded by likeminded people. None of this would be possible without the CCF scholarship I received. I am very grateful.”- Joseph Salamone, CCF College Scholarship Recipient, St. John’s University