The American Go Foundation: Report and Appeal

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To All American Go Players:

The American Go Foundation, a tax-deductible charity separate from the AGA, is busier than ever helping to grow the next generation of Go players, and it needs your help. The AGF receives no government support, we don't have a development department, we rely completely on contributions from players like you. At this time of year, when the spirit of giving moves all of us, consider a gift to the future of American Go. Just click here to download the contribution form and fax with credit card info or mail with your check.

Here are some of the things the AGF is doing:

Support For Youth Programs: Any Go teaching program targeted at youth can receive a free Classroom Starter Set, a $40 value. Specially developed by the AGF and not available elsewhere, the kit includes materials for up to 24 students.

Support For Teachers: The AGF is building a national network of Go programs in schools, after-school programs, libraries and community centers throughout the US. We estimate that more than 200 programs are now active.

Support for After-School Instruction: To add Go to local youth programs, we offer matching grants of up to $1000 ($500 per class) for teachers in their first year of funded Go instruction.

AGA Summer Camp Scholarship: Thanks to this program, dozens of kids have been able to enjoy both a great camp experience and learn Go.

Tigersmouth.org: A Go website for kids and teens with hundreds of visitors per month and over 9000 postings in the forum.

The Way To Go: This little booklet, designed as a perfect brief introduction, has shown the essence of Go to thousands of people. This year the AGF revised and updated WTG for a seventh print run of 40,000 copies.

Mentors For teachers: Experienced Go teachers offer guidance and support to "newbies" and "wannabes".

Sensei: A Newsletter for Teachers: A resource for strengthening the growing community of Go teachers by sharing information.

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 the benefits in terms of contemporary learning and developmental theory.

AGF Teacher Store: Approved programs can quality for a $200 matching equipment grant, receive discounts from participating vendors, and purchase a growing range of materials from us at special low prices. The AGF invested more than $25,000 in initial inventory; and, the way sales are going, we may need to restock soon!. Note: This site is for American school and after-school programs only, not available to the general public.

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 using commonly available household items.

Go As Communication: Through a special arrangement with Slate and Shell, the AGF offers all teachers a free copy of Yasuda's sensei's inspiring account of his teaching experiences.

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.

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 improve PlayGo, a module that can easily be downloaded to any XO computer.

In the near future we plan to establish a scholarship for college-bound high school students and produce a WTG-like booklet specifically for children. We're also working with a New York literary agency to develop a book for children with a mainstream publisher. And with our "Go In The Classroom" initiative of ads and articles, we hope to encourage many more classroom teachers to make Go a part of the school day. With the right materials, even non-playing teachers can learn along with their students.

Just click here to download the contribution form and fax with credit card info or mail with your check.

If you can't give money, give time! The AGF can help you to develop a local program. The next Michael Redmond may be living in your neighborhood. Make a New year's resolution to find her (or him).

Thank you in advance for your support!