The Gates Chili School District has the potential to fund its Italian language programs through funding from the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Silvano Orsi, chairman of the Little Italy Association, announced Monday he has secured a potential $13,000 in funding, pending approval by the Gates Chili School Board.

The Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Consular, and the Italian American Committee on Education (IACE) offered the funding to keep the programs going at Gates Chili. Orsi said the funding is contingent on creating a constructive and long-term dialogue with the Italian government and IACE.