About the IBC

The Italian Benvenuti Club of Portland Oregon is organized to promote Italian culture throughout the greater Portland community. The club provides an opportunity for Italians, Italian-Americans, and others to come together  to celebrate the unique and profound contributions of Italy and her progeny to history, art, literature, and science. 

This celebration of Italian culture and its contributions is intended to promote the social, educational, cultural, and economic advancement of all Americans regardless of race, religion, or ethnicity, gender, or political affiliation; to encourage and proote racial, religious, and social tolerance among all people; to promote understanding and friendly relationships among all people of all nations and to instill a sense of great appreciation of the moral obligations of the citizens of the United States of America as a nation of many immigrants, including those of Italian descent. 

For over 70 years, the IBC has been a proud and important part  of Portland's Italian community. Established by Portland businessmen of Italian heritage, the organization was formed with this mission:

• Coordinating efforts  to provide aid after Italy's tragic  Po River flood of 1951 . That act led to a tradition of assisting many worthwhile causes, locally as well as in Italy.  
• Promoting and celebrating Italian culture and language with our friends,  family and Portland neighbors.

Of course, many changes have occurred over the  years, as well as changing the original name, Italian Businessmen's Club to the Italian Benvenuti Club, keeping the acronym IBC.
Today's IBC consists of men and women of Italian heritage and others who love Italian culture, believe in our mission and 'la Dolce Vita', an Italian phrase which was first used in a film of that name to mean crass or shocking, though modern usage  means simply and positively,  "the good life".