The American Arbitration Association has announced the establishment of the AAA-ICDR Foundation. This development is a welcome enlargement of the already pervasive and salutary role and influence of this esteemed institution and its international affiliate, the ICDR.
In a recent press release, the AAA explains that the Foundation is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization, and is able to solicit donations and provide grants to fund a range of worthy causes that promote the Foundation’s wide-reaching mission, which is to support the use and improvement of dispute resolution processes in the USA and internationally.
Among its mission goals are:
- Fostering measures that reduce potential escalation, manage, and resolve conflicts.
- Expanding the use of dispute resolution processes tailored to the conflict.
- Supporting research, education and initiatives promoting high quality, efficient and fair dispute resolution.
- Increasing access to justice in and through alternative dispute resolution.
- Encouraging collaborative processes to resolve public conflicts.
- Sharing expertise across diverse groups and cultures.
- Partnering with others dedicated to advancing the Foundation’s mission
The Foundation has received initial funding from the AAA/ICDR, AAA/ICDR Panelists and others, though it is independent of the AAA. The Foundation is committed to funding critical projects in the ADR community to improve and expand the use of arbitration, mediation and other forms of dispute resolution.
The AAA-ICDR Foundation is now accepting proposals for its first funding cycle. Interested organizations or individuals should submit a 1-2 page Initial Description of Grant Request no later than December 1, 2015. For more information on the AAA-ICDR Foundation and the grant-application process, please visit www.AAAICDRFoundation.org.