 |
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||
|
|||||
|
|
There are more than 600,000 licensed amateurs in the US and an estimated three million worldwide. Approximately 170,000 are members of the ARRL--the National Association for Amateur Radio. Although ARRL services and activities are primarily for members, many ARRL activities benefit all hams. It's no exaggeration to say--especially in these times of enormous spectrum demand--that the existence of Amateur Radio is due in no small measure to the efforts of the ARRL and of the 150-member International Amateur Radio Union, for which ARRL serves as the secretariat. This first installment in a series focuses on The ARRL Foundation, whose services are available to the entire amateur community.
An independent, not-for-profit organization, the ARRL Foundation's home is at ARRL Headquarters in Newington, Connecticut. The League provides office space and one ARRL staff member--the Foundation Secretary--whose administrative time is reimbursed by the Foundation to ARRL.
A team of volunteer directors manages the ARRL Foundation. All are active hams who are as passionate about the hobby as they are devoted to promoting its growth and helping to ensure its perpetuation.
The ARRL Board of Directors created The ARRL Foundation in 1973. It operates exclusively for charitable, educational and scientific purposes. Its original charter restricted support to satellites and science. Now, the Foundation's mission has been broadened to include other innovative programs related to ARRL's goals. These programs entitle the corporation to exemption under the provisions of Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code--a not-for-profit status.
Programs include scholarships, grants, and services to community groups, all levels of licensed hams and their family members. The Foundation also assists teachers in secondary and baccalaureate educational institutions, and serves the disabled community and public service agencies.
Foundation grant programs include The ARRL Foundation Scholarship Program, The Victor C. Clark Youth Incentive Program, The Jesse Bieberman Meritorious Membership Program, The ARRL Program for the Disabled Fund and The General Fund Grants Program.
The ARRL Foundation Scholarship Program
 Daniel J. Nowacki, N1SKW, Kennebunk, Maine received $600 from The New England FEMARA Scholarship Fund. |
The ARRL Foundation Scholarship Program helps hams--either young students or career-changers--with a range of scholarship awards. No pocketbook is exempt from the high cost of schooling, but an Amateur Radio license has value beyond the fun and excitement of hamming--it is also a key to help meet tuition costs.
The Foundation awarded 22 specific scholarships last year, ranging from $500 to $5000. In addition, it gave out five General Fund Scholarships of $1000 plus 10 New England Foundation of Eastern Massachusetts Amateur Radio Association (FEMARA) scholarships of $600 each.
To apply, download an application from the ARRL Web site, or write The ARRL Foundation Inc, 225 Main St, Newington, CT 06111.
The Victor C. Clark Youth Incentive Program
The Victor C. Clark Youth Incentive Program distributes $1000 mini-grants to youth groups seeking money for Amateur Radio experiments, exhibits, station hardware acquisitions, and school/community station startup costs. It is popular among school and youth clubs and community disabled services organizations. See QST, May 2000, p 90, "Why we Fund Museum and Science Center Ham Radio Displays" and QST, Nov 2000, p 85, "Victor C. Clark Program Now Offering $1000 Minigrants."
The Jesse Bieberman Meritorious Membership Program
 Andrew K. Mui, K2TJ, Rochester, New York was awarded a $1000 General Fund Scholarship. |
The Jesse Bieberman Meritorious Membership Program offers a one-year membership extension to ARRL members of 25 years or longer who are elderly, and to disabled hams. See QST, May 1997, page 96, "Spotlight on the Jesse Bieberman Meritorious Membership Program."
The ARRL Program for the Disabled Fund
The ARRL Program for the Disabled Fund is designed to help develop referral resources for disabled amateurs, so that more people with disabilities can enjoy our wonderful hobby. The ARRL Field and Educational Services Department administers the program. Our ARRL Sourcebook for the Disabled is available via ARRL FTP and its funet.fi mirror for use by individuals, clubs, and rehabilitative personnel. Visit the Courage HANDI-HAM Web page to find still more useful resources. Help yourself or another get started in the hobby of a lifetime!
The General Fund Grants Program
 ARRL President Jim Haynie, W5JBP, and DeGolyer teacher Sanlyn Kent, KD5LXO (center), with several of the K5DES crew: Standing, Lyndsey, KD5LXP; Haynie; Mary; Jasmine, KD5OJI; Sanlyn Kent, KD5LXO; Addy (facing right); Glendon, KD5OJH; Jay, KD5LXN; and Reba, KD5OJC. In front, Megan, KD5OJG, and Jaquoran, KD5OJJ. [ARRL Photo] |
The General Fund Grants Program provides money for large-scale Amateur Radio projects such as satellites, the Space Amateur Radio EXperiment (SAREX)/Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) program, high-profile museum displays, emergency disaster communication and ARRL-specific projects for educational, promotional or organizational purposes.
The Everette Lee DeGolyer School in Dallas recently received $2600 worth of equipment to outfit its Amateur Radio club station, K5DES. Funds for the DeGolyer pilot project came from individual gifts and an ARRL Foundation donation to the Amateur Radio Education Project--also known as "The Big Project." Plans call for establishing similar programs at other schools across the US.
 Shawn M. Burkhardt, AC5JZ, San Antonio, Texas received $500 from The McDaniel Memorial Scholarship. |
Additional Services--Wills and Memorial Contributions:
Simple Will Kit & Bequest Service
The foundation accepts donations from all persons interested in promoting its goals. A Simple Will Kit & Bequest Service is available to hams who wish to sponsor scholarships or add to preexisting programs after their deaths. This kit was designed to meet the needs of those seeking testamentary language when considering a bequest to the ARRL or The ARRL Foundation. The Foundation and ARRL suggest that persons wishing to contribute in this manner use the services of their attorney to ensure that their wishes are carried out in the correct manner.
Memorial Contributions Service
This service to hams, their families and their friends can be used to express appreciation--anniversary contributions or in memory of an Elmer or the remembrance of a beloved Silent Key, for example. That this service grows every year speaks highly of the innate generosity of the amateur community.
