What's the AGF all about?

We were founded to provide a way for US players to donate to help spread the game. We look for people who want to teach go in their communities, and we help them get equipment, materials, and support. We're especially interested in bringing go into the schools. People who want to foster this kind of activity contribute, and take the donation off their taxes. Some people use matching programs at work to double the impact of their dollars

How is the AGF connected to the AGA?

They are totally separate. The AGF is a tax-deductible 501(c)3 charitable Foundation with its own Board of Directors and a mission limited to the educational and cultural aspects of go. People who give us money can deduct the contribution from their taxes. The AGA is a membership organization which promotes all aspects of go. But we work closely together, and most people involved in the AGF are also active in the AGA, so they may seem more connected than they really are.

What has the AGF been up to lately?

Last year we gave away more money and resources than ever. Fortunately, we also received more donations than ever, but gifts are not keeping pace with the growing need. We printed 20,000 more copies of The Way to Go, Karl Baker's great introductory book. For last year's US Go Camp, we provided $3000 to cover professional fees and over $2000 in scholarship help. Most of that came from earmarked donations but we had to use general funds as well. We ordered the production of 600 inexpensive laminated boards (13x13 and 9x9) and just received 200 Ing starter sets, 300 sets of modest quality stones and 2000 inexpensive cardboard sets. Over $12,000 in equipment! We bought copies of Yasuda's book on teaching go in institutions and sent one to every American teacher who asked. More copies are available, by the way!

So what's next?

On the money side, the AGA has kindly agreed to distribute a fundraising appeal on our behalf, which will be going out soon. We've been getting more and more donations for programs like our Go Camp scholarship program, so we want to make sure everyone knows about what we're doing. We think the new website will publicize the educational support we can provide and greatly expand the number of kids in school programs. Dozens of teachers may apply for funds and equipment, but we think the American Go community will back us with their dollars. We also hope players will check out the new web pages, and contact us with questions, suggestions, offers of help, and donations.