The American Go Foundation

What Is The AGF?

The American Go Foundation is a 501(c)(3) tax-deductible charitable organization devoted to promoting the game of Go in the United States. With our support, thousands of Americans, especially children, have learned Go in hundreds of schools, after-school programs, libraries and community centers throughout the US. We focus on Go for children, but we support many kinds of promotional and educational activities. Click on Certificate of Incorporation and By-laws to view them.

To support our work, click here.

What is Go?

Go is the most modern of ancient board games -- simple enough for a child; too challenging for a computer; a gateway for learning, and a model for parallel thinking. A game of Go is a wordless communication, the mutual construction and solution of a puzzle as easy or as complex as the players can make it, and more. Go is a game of aesthetics and patterns, best played with balance, tolerance and respect for the game and your partner.

The American Go Foundation is the charitable arm of the American Go community, promoting the game in the United States for its enjoyment as a pastime and as an ideal classroom enrichment tool to promote cultural diversity and understanding. With its ancient connection to Asian culture and literature and its natural mathematical aspects, Go connects naturally to core curriculum content in many areas

To learn more about American Go, visit www.usgo.org.

What does the AGF do?

Equipment Grants: American teachers, schools and youth programs can apply for the free Classroom Starter Set -- six 9x9/13x13 sets with Way to Go instruction booklets and a Go CD. Qualified programs will also receive a "Starter Grant" of $200 in matching funds to purchase sets, books, equipment, demo boards and other materials in our online store. For more detailed information about AGF equipment grants click here . To receive the Starter Set or other AGF equipment, programs must submit the Project Application Form. Include any questions you may have on the form.

Teaching Grants: AGF support for American teachers is available to schools and after-school programs willing to devote minimal resources to establish a Go program. Matching funds of up to $15/hr are available for instructors. Click here for Teacher Support Guidelines. Click here to download a funding application form and request further information.

The Way to Go: This introductory booklet was produced by The American Go Association, and is published and mainly distributed by the AGF. Now in its fifth printing, WTG is the most widely read book about Go in the English language. Clear, concise and comprehensive, more than 70,000 copies are in print. Low-cost copies are available in our online store, or download it for free .

AGA Summer Camp Scholarships: The AGF provides funds for the American Go Association Summer Go Camp for children ages 7 - 17. We provide scholarships for children who could not otherwise attend. Thanks to the generosity of AGF donors, financial need has never prevented a child from attending the AGA Summer Go Camp.

AGF College Scholarship: A $1000 award to a student who has made an outstanding contribution to promoting Go, especially in underserved areas.

Teaching Mentors: If you'd like to teach Go, but you're not quite sure where to start, contact the AGF Education Coordinator at agf@usgo.org. We have experienced players and teachers who will help you at any stage of the process.

Sensei – A Newsletter for Teachers and Organizers: Important, up-to-date information for teachers, librarians, enthusiasts, and others who want to teach and demonstrate this beuatiful game.

Tigersmouth.org: A Go website for kids and teens, maintained and moderated by the AGF.

Free Book for Teachers: Go As Communication by the Japanese professional player Yasuda Yasutoshi describes his surprising discovery that a simplified version of Go can have enormous educational and therapeutic value, even with senior citizens and those suffering from developmental delays and other disabilites. The AGF will send a free copy of this inspiring book to teachers. To request a copy please email us at agf@usgo.org and include information about your program. This offer is for teachers only, please.

AGF Teacher Store: Approved programs can purchase a growing range of materials from us at special low prices. The AGF invested more than $20,000 in initial inventory, and the way sales are going we may need to restock soon!. Special discounts from major vendors are also available. Note: This site is for American school and after-school programs only, not available to the general public.

Go in the Classroom: Go is an ideal classroom enrichment activity that links naturally to core curriculum elements. AGF Board member Dr. Roy Laird, a certified child therapist, has developed a page that explains how Go can influence development in positive ways in terms of contemporary learning and developmental theory.

Teaching Materials: The AGF maintains a growing library of materials, lesson plans, exercises and other teaching aids. Recent additions include 200 Go Puzzles for Beginners, developed by Paul Smith for the British Go Association, now available for download; WonderGo, the award-winning innovation for young children; a lesson plan cooperative to help teachers link Go to core curriculum elements; and complete directions enabling anyone to make a demonstration board for group instruction.

Starter CD: Some students and teachers, especially children, lack Internet access or have a slow connection that prevents much downloading. In partnership with the AGA, the AGF has produced thousands of Starter CDs for beginning players. The Starter CD contains more than 300 MB of game records, software, instructional material, videos and more, including much of the AGA website, in a specially designed easy-to-explore format. Teachers are encouraged to make copies and give them to anyone who wants one. Available to teachers in the AGF Store; also available from the AGA.

One Laptop Per Child Project: The MIT-based OLPC has developed a rugged, Internet-based, low-cost computer for children in developing countries. AGF Vice President Paul Barchilon worked with them to develop PlayGo, a module that can easily be downloaded to any XO computer.

Teacher of the Year Award: Each year the AGF selects a teacher who has made an outstanding contribution to Go education and promotion. The winner attends the U.S. Go Congress free of charge.

Directed Funding: Because of our tax-deductible status, we can receive earmarked tax-deductible donations for local educational, cultural, and club activities consistent with our mission and IRS rules. Local sponsors can obtain tax-deductible support for promotional and educational Go outreach in your community by working through the AGF. If you have local funders or funding available contact the AGF at agf@usgo.org.

To support our work, click here.