For over 100 years, UNICO National has served as a compassionate and unwavering leader of the Italian American community. With a mission to promote Italian American heritage and to serve others, UNICO has benevolently impacted local communities while also serving as an esteemed national voice for Italian Americans. Each year, UNICO provides over $1 million dollars to support charitable, scientific, cultural, educational, and literary projects. As a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization, UNICO celebrates the many significant achievements of Italian Americans in the United States.

Founded upon the principle of “Service Above Self,” the members of our chapters across the country devote their time, energy and resources to serve their local communities. UNICO supports various worthy causes, including Cooley’s Anemia, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Mental Health Wellness, and Cancer Prevention and Research, Food Banks, Shelters, and other Community Needs.

Over the past century, UNICO and its members answered the call to those in need, from providing relief to Italian earthquake victims and their communities to supporting the families after the 911 attack in New York City. The organization also supports numerous educational initiatives, including providing student scholarships and promoting the study of Italian language in high schools. UNICO has endowed chairs at several universities to promote Italian American Studies and the rich history of Italy.

UNICO promotes a positive image of Italian Americans, one of the largest ethnic groups in the nation. The more than 16 million Italian Americans are interwoven into the fabric of the United States and have profoundly contributed in all areas of our nation, from the arts to business to science and law. UNICO celebrates these Italian American contributions and achievements while promoting the durable bond between the United States and Italy.

UNICO was founded in 1922 by Dr. Anthony P. Vastola in Waterbury, Connecticut, to unite people of Italian heritage in an organization to perform charitable, patriotic and educational deeds.  UNICO means “unique” or “only one of its kind” in Italian and additionally, the letters represent: U-Unity, N-Neighborliness, I-Integrity, C-Charity and O-Opportunity. Over the next 100 years, UNICO will fulfill the forward-thinking vision of Dr. Vastola, by leading the Italian American community, serving others, and making significant contributions to our communities and the nation.