About The American Go Foundation

The American Go Foundation is a tax-deductible charitable organization devoted to promoting and spreading Go in the United States.

Board of Directors

Terry Benson, President
Paul Barchilon, Vice President
Barbara Calhoun, Treasurer
Keith Arnold, Secretary
Larry Gross
Chris Kirschner
Roy Laird
Andy Okun (AGA President -- ex officio)
Bonnie White
Lionel Zhang (youth representative)

Curious about us? Click here to view our recent tax returns and financial reports, as well as our Articles of Incorporation and By-Laws.

---

How we help

• Send free Go equipment to hundreds of schools across the nation
• Provide scholarships for needy young Go enthusiasts to attend the AGA Summer Go Camps
• Publish The Way to Go, the most widely read Go book in English (over 40,000 copies distributed)
• Distribute free copies of Go As Communication, a book about teaching Go
• Purchase specialized equipment for Go instructors in schools
• Help teachers to purchase additional equipment on a matching basis
• Provide matching startup funds for new Go programs for children
• Accept earmarked donations to support local programs, making those gifts tax-exempt

Can we help you teach someone Go today?

---

Our History

In 1984 Roger B. White, a prominent Cleveland industrialist, established the American Go Foundation. White discovered Go when he was in his forties. He wasn't a top player, hovering in the neighborhood of 9K, but when it came to love of the game, he was a match for anyone. In the 1980's White was the AGA Club Coordinator and he, his wife Bonnie, and their dog Lady, traveled the country in an RV visiting Go clubs large and small. The thousands of miles he traveled earned him the nickname "the Johnny Appleseed of Go". He guided and underwrote the creation of the first computer program to play go across telephone lines. He was the principal editor, driving force, and funder for the development of The Way To Go, and worked to broaden the presence of Go in Western society in every way he could. He provided the initial funds for the AGF and, at his death in 2002, he left a generous bequest to keep it strong. The AGF is a fitting legacy.

During the 1980's and 1990's, proceeds from US Go Congresses were placed on deposit with the AGF. Half of those funds were earmarked for use by Congress organizers; the rest went to support AGF programs, which grew over the years with the success of the US Go Congress. In 2000 , the AGA became a formally recognized tax-exempt entity and took over management of the US Go Congress. This move provided the AGA with a new funding stream to help promote Go.

Today the AGF relies completely on the generousity of donors like you for everything we do. Our hundreds of school programs are developing a new generation of Go players, and more people are playing Go in America than at any time in history.

To donate to the AGF, click here.

To learn more about how you can help, click here.