1. The purpose of the ARPAS Foundation is to provide educational programming for current members of ARPAS and to enhance the certification process for prospective members.
2. The Foundation will encourage current members and supporters of ARPAS to contribute funds to the Foundation to build a financial base.
3. The bylaws state that only the income from the Foundation assets can be used for the educational programming and enhancement of the certification process.

The ARPAS Foundation was initiated in 2008, and the ARPAS bylaws in 2010 were ratified by the membership. Bill Braman has done an excellent job in chairing the initial committee. Committee members include Moe Bakke (2014), Dale Hill (2015), Andy Cole (2016), Mike Galyean (2017), Bill Braman (finishing chair duties in 2015), and Bill Sanchez (rotating into chair role in 2015). Members serve for three-year terms and are joined on the Foundation board by Carl Hunt as a statutory member (as treasurer of ARPAS) and Kenneth Cummings as ex officio member. 

The ARPAS Foundation as of May 31, 2015, had assets of approximately $150,000. The mix of investments is made up of 75% in fixed-income securities and 25% in equities. With an estimate of 5% earnings, the budgeted amount for Foundation support now is in excess of $5,000 annually. Thus far, the Foundation support has primarily been aimed at paying the expense of student exams. The Foundation was able to support 81 exams in 2014 for a total of $2,025.00. So far in 2015, the Foundation has supported 26 student exams for a total of $655.00.

Contributions to the Foundation will ensure the long-term success of ARPAS by increasing the value of membership. Major regulatory changes are affecting and changing the way we provide technical services to our companies and clients. Your contribution to the Foundation will mean that ARPAS can provide a lead role in delivering the most current information needed to navigate this changing regulatory environment and key issues that face animal agriculture. A donation form is available on the ARPAS website (ARPAS Foundation donor form) for those wishing to donate to the Foundation or make a pledge. You easily can contribute when you pay your 2016 ARPAS dues, or you can send your contribution made out to the ARPAS Foundation to the following address.

ARPAS
1800 S. Oak St., Suite 100
Champaign, IL 61820-6974