Frequently Asked Questions

OSDIA stands for the Order Sons and Daughters of Italy in America®, the oldest and largest organization for men and women of Italian heritage in the United States. Learn more about our history here.

A lodge is a local or state chapter of OSDIA. The term dates back to 1905, reflecting the structure of other fraternal organizations of that era. View a map of our lodges here.

Lodge members have voting rights and can hold office. They receive all benefits from OSDIA and their lodge. At-Large Members receive most benefits but cannot vote or hold office.

To join a local lodge or become an At-Large Member, click here. More details on member benefits are available here

If there is no lodge in your area, you can join as an At-Large Member and enjoy all membership benefits. Alternatively, you can start a lodge in your community! Click here for more information on starting your own lodge.

Please do not contact the National Office directly for address changes. If you belong to an OSDIA lodge, please notify your lodge of your new address. At-Large Members or Italian America magazine subscribers can change their address and other personal information at the members-only section of OSDIA.org. If you have any issues accessing your account, email nationaloffice@osia.org or call 202-547-2900 for assistance.

All OSDIA lodge members and At-Large Members receive a complimentary subscription to Italian America® magazine as part of their membership. To view our membership options, click here.  If you are not a member and wish to subscribe, click here to fill out our subscription form.

The Commission for Social Justice® (CSJ) is OSDIA’s anti-defamation arm. It focuses on addressing and combating stereotypes of Italian Americans in media, advertising, and entertainment industries.

You can support the Commission for Social Justice® (CSJ) by participating in its campaigns such as petitions, letter-writing, boycotts, and special events. Help spread awareness about Italian heritage and the CSJ’s mission to combat negative stereotypes. Financial contributions to support CSJ’s work are also welcome.

For issues at the local or state level, please contact the relevant OSDIA Grand Lodge (state chapter). For nationally significant matters, such as a widespread advertising campaign, contact the national Commission for Social Justice®. Correspondence can be sent to:

Commission for Social Justice®
219 E St., NE
Washington, DC 20002
Email: csj@osia.org

The NELA Gala is the Sons of Italy Foundation’s premier fundraising and public affairs event, held annually in May in Washington, D.C. The event celebrates the Foundation’s commitment to education and is open to all who wish to attend.

Yes. The Sons of Italy Foundation® awards grants to organizations that sponsor programs related to cultural preservation, medical research, disaster relief, and education, as funds permit. However, grants are not awarded to individuals.

To contribute to the General Scholarship Fund, please donate online or mail a check payable to the Sons of Italy Foundation®, marked “General Scholarship Fund” to:

Sons of Italy Foundation®
219 E St., NE
Washington, DC 20002
To establish a scholarship, please contact the National Office at 202.547.2900.

The Sons of Italy Foundation® awards 10 to 18 merit-based college scholarships each year, with amounts ranging from $5,000 to $20,000. Scholarships include awards for graduate studies, study abroad, and Italian language programs.

Yes, you can direct your donation to a specific campaign or make a contribution in honor of someone. Please visit our current campaigns page to learn more and make a donation.

The Sons of Italy Foundation® has contributed tens of millions of dollars to scholarships, medical research, disaster relief, cultural preservation, and other projects. Supported causes include the Alzheimer’s Association, Cooley’s Anemia Foundation, Hurricane Andrew relief, Assisi earthquake relief, and the National Law Enforcement Officers’ Memorial, among others.

OSDIA and its subsidiaries do not engage in lobbying. However, OSDIA and the CSJ advocate on issues important to Italian Americans and our membership.