TAA Foundation Moves Forward

More than $5,100 has been donated so far to the TAA Foundation (TAAF), a nonprofit organization formed two years ago to raise funds to support projects that benefit text and academic authors. In September 2003, the Foundation received 501(c)3 status, which means that all gifts made to the Foundation are tax-deductible.

Last year, the Foundation hired a grant writer to seek grants for several projects. She has already gathered the preliminary information to begin writing grant applications and will begin writing grant proposals in March 2005.

TAA Foundation President Michael Lennie said they will also begin reaching out to members for support. Nineteen people made initial pledges to the Foundation to fund its application for incorporation and 501(c)3 status, and to hire a grant writer. "We want to thank everyone who made gifts to help us launch the TAA Foundation," he said. "Your gifts have helped us form a Foundation that will nourish authors' interests for present and future generations."

The Foundation is looking for funding, through grants and individual donations. The Foundation board of directors are in the process of planning various projects for grant application. TAA members are encouraged to contact TAAF to suggest projects. Currently under discussion are the following projects:

• Encourage more culturally diverse participation in the writing of textbooks and journal articles by reaching out and providing guidance to a broad spectrum of prospective authors.
• Form TAA chapters in major college towns and cities across the U.S. with the goal of truly making TAA a national organization.
• Expand the number and reach of workshops to promote, encourage and educate textbook and academic writers around the country.
• Create a Legal Hotline to advise authors on contract issues.
• Investigate and contribute to suggestions regarding textbook pricing. Work with publishers and other groups to bring about change. To extent allowed under the tax code, support organizations lobbying for change in textbook pricing structure.
• Seek improvement in the state adoption process. The state adoption process adversely affects the cost of textbooks since publishers end up publishing two to three editions of the same book to satisfy the adoption requirements of major states.
• Expand national recognition of TAA's Textbook Excellence Award and McGuffey Longevity Award program, allowing the awards to continue to grow in stature.
• Research the effect of textbook authoring on the tenure and promotion track process for college professors, and decide if an advocacy group should be formed to promote the merits of textbook authoring.
• Conduct a study to identify services which would help academic authors succeed in their promotion and tenure track.

If you would like to support the TAA Foundation with a tax-deductible gift, or have suggestions for other projects, contact Michael Lennie at mlennie@aol.com. Mail your donation made payable to TAAF to P.O. Box 56359, St. Petersburg, FL 33732-6359.

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