To ensure the continuation of the study of Italian language and culture at tertiary level, in 1999 the Cassamarca Foundation donated $6 million over six years to fund 11 lectureships, scholarships and a chair in Latin Humanism at UWA.

As a philanthropic organisation, the Cassamarca Foundation operates and provides assistance in a number of fields, including:

• scientific research
• the preservation of the environment
• health, education
• the arts and culture in general
• emigration and immigration.

In particular, the Cassamarca Foundation is actively engaged in the promotion of Italian culture, both at home and abroad. The Foundation is active in a number of countries that have strong traditional ties with Italy because of their substantial migrant communities. A chance encounter by a young UWA researcher, Loretta Baldassar, with Italian lawyer and philanthropist, Dr Dino De Poli, led to an unprecedented gift to Australian universities.

The Australasian Centre for Italian Studies (ACIS) is the Foundation’s main instrument in Australia. Dr De Poli chose UWA as the anchor for his funding and entrusted the University’s Office of Development to administer and disburse the lectureships and scholarships.

In recognition, UWA bestowed the honorary degree Doctor of Letters to Dr De Poli in 2001.

The Cassamarca Foundation extended the term of its funding and the Cassamarca lectureships are moving into a phase of perpetual funding.

This gift of 900,000 Euros per year over 13 years (approximately $22.5 million dollars), was negotiated by ACIS and the Office of Development.