ACGG Foundation news

Okay, I'm going to [post some news here to let everyone know the things that are going on inside the Foundation. At our most recent BOD meeting the big topic was getting the Scholarship and Grant programs running again. 

FIRST - Unanimously passed tonight was to begin a grant program for gunsmithing students attending a gunsmithing school. Agreed to, was to have five grants of $1000.00 each. This is based upon what we have done in the past and also including features from the Pistol smiths Guild program. The grants will be given to students who are at least 50% done with their classes and have a strong grade point average and can get endorsement from two instructors. There will be no restrictions on how the money is to be spent. Since these will be good and serious gunsmithing students we can expect them to use the money wisely. Paying rent or putting gas in the car all helps them get through school. The target is to put TRAINED PROFESSIONAL gunsmiths into the trade. We expect this to benefit the trade as a whole and these future gunsmiths as well, and perhaps they will become interested in fine gunsmithing.

SECOND - There was discussion and will be more discussion at the next meeting about TWO TYPES of Scholarships to pay tuition for other types of training. 

1.  to create several scholarships to pay for attendance to summer gunsmithing courses at gunsmithing schools.

2. To pay for selected individuals to spend time with a professional member in their shop, to learn a Custom Gunmaking task from a master. The payment is expected to go to the Professional member for taking on the role of an instructor. 

The above ideas are still in the process of being hashed out, so don't worry too much it will all be worked out.

The first program will benefit some individuals and the trade of gunsmithing in general.

The second two programs should greatly benefit the fine gunsmithing and custom gunmaking trades as a whole by sharing trade information and developing the skills of workers already in the trade. They will hopefully bolster attendance at the gunsmithing schools summer programs. We also hope that the Professional members would welcome the opportunity to teach and receive income for doing it. 

With a successful fundraising year behind us, we are determined to move forward and spend some money wisely, to benefit the trade of gunsmithing, the schools and the students of the summer courses and even the professional members of the Guild who might be interested in teaching a student in their own shop and being reimbursed for their time. 

We will be rebuilding our web site   www.acggfoundation.com  Shortley with professional help and you can look for the launch of the first grant program soon. 

fyi- the old web site  www.acggfoundation.org  is obsolete and will come down soon.