National Association of Social Workers Foundation

About The NASW Foundation The National Association of Social Workers Foundation (NASWF) is a 501(c)(3) organization that was founded in 2001 to support NASW’s charitable, educational and research initiatives through a wide range of projects that serve the profession, the practitioner and the public. Mission The National Association of Social Workers Foundation is a 501(c)(3) organization created to support NASW’s educational and charitable initiatives through a wide range of programs and projects. The Foundation serves three primary audiences, known as the Three Ps: the profession – by honoring and investing in social workers past, current, and future; the practitioner – by enhancing social workers’ knowledge and skills; and, the public – by providing information and resources to help individuals, families and communities. Goals The Foundation administers a wide variety of educational and research programs in an effort to fulfill its core mission of enhancing the well-being of individuals, families, and communities through the advancement of social work policy and practice. Founded in 2001, the Foundation's goals and objectives are to: identify, develop, and respond to social work policy and practice issues; assist with rapid response to social crises; support practice-based research, so that practice and research are directly linked; raise the visibility of social work and enhance public esteem for the profession; support the development of cutting edge continuing education and training that addresses critical issues; and, promote the appropriate application of new technology to the practice of social work. Governance The Foundation is managed by a nine-member Board of Directors that comprises the current NASW President, three NASW members, and three individuals involved in professions other than social work. Non-voting members of the board include the NASW Chief Executive Officer who serves as President of the Foundation and the NASW President-Elect. Foundation assets total $4 million, including the NASW Foundation Endowment, which is funded by voluntary contributions from donors, including friends, NASW members, corporations, and others; as well as awards and grants from government agencies, foundations, and other entities interested in our work. The NASW Foundation is not funded through NASW Membership dues.