Start a Club

Support for Go in Schools

Library and Community Center Programs

Support for the Visually Impaired

Support For College Clubs

Support For AGA Chapters

Other Ways We Can Help

Support for Go in Schools

Go, like chess, is a proven mind-building activity that benefits the growing brain in many ways. In fact we think Go suits the purpose even better! Click here to learn why Go is good for the growing brain.

Classroom Starter Set

9 reversible vinyl boards:
- 6 9x9/13x13
- 3 19x19/13x13
3 full sets of plastic stones in stackable bowls
12 Way to Go booklets
5 cardboard 9x9 sets, with punch out cardboard stones
5 Go posters
2 sample issues of Go World magazine.

Apply for your free Starter Set:

To get started, simply fill out our online Project Application Form.

Applicants should be a teacher or advisor over the age of 18. Students may start programs as long as they have a co-applicant who is over the age of 18. If you need help starting a club, we can assign an AGF Mentor to help you develop your Go program. E-mail us for help if you need it.

Once you are approved as an AGF program, you do not need to fill out the form for additional requests. Just e-mail us instead.

"My faculty and I firmly believe in the value of engaging students through hands-on, minds-on learning, and the game of Go falls perfectly in the realm of stimulating learning experience. " -- Joy Zhao, Director of Academics, YingHua International School, Princeton , NJ

The AGF believes that Go offers a uniquely flexible activity for healthy growth and development.

In the classroom, it serves as a valuable tool to teach and supplement core curriculum content in math, social studies and other subjects.

AGF Support for Teachers and After-School Programs

The AGF pays teachers to start Go Clubs for kids in after school-programs and community settings such as libraries and youth centers. See our Grants page for more information.

AGF Education Store: Approved programs can order supplies at discounted prices

Opportunities for Students

Join the AGA to be notified by email of upcoming youth tournaments. The North American Kyu Championship is held in February. The AGA Girls Cup is in March. Stronger players can also compete in the Redmond Cup, where junior and senior players can win a free trip to the US Go Congress. Young players can apply for scholarships to attend The US Go Congress. The AGF also awards $1000 College Scholarships annually to outstanding student organizers.

With at least three players of any strength, your school or library can enter the online School Teams Tournament.

Library and Community Center Programs

Make your media center more relevant to young users -- introduce them to the ultimate board game: Go. If you have an anime club or Asian study group of any kind, you have a likely starting point. Go was commended by Confucius in ancient times; more recently, it has become the star of its own manga/anime, Hikaru no Go, a coming of age saga in the classic "Hero's Journey" style. Students who learn go develop transferable learning skills and other important competencies. Click here to learn more.

"Gaming is one example of how libraries continue to change to meet the needs of their communities and users, offering innovative programs and services that educate, entertain and expand interaction with their patrons." -Beth Galloway

Go is played by millions of people all over the world. Thousands of them are playing online right now! Go is an ideal window on Asian culture as well as a way to improve cognitive skills. Like the martial arts, Go can teach concentration, balance, and discipline. Each person's style of play reflects their personality, and can serve as a medium for self-reflection and personal growth.

Go offers a uniquely flexible activity for mental development. As an arena for mental and social activity, Go serves as a valuable tool to teach new skills, open closed minds, and create new possibilities. The AGF supports youth programs in community centers, and programs for adults in institutional settings such as senior centers, military facillities, prisons and mental institutions.

Support for the Visually Impaired

Tactile Go Sets

Schools for the visually impaired are eligible for free tactile Go sets. Quantities can be adjusted depending on the number of students. Programs should fill out the project application form and email us for more information. We will also pay up to $75 an hour for an instructor.

9x9 Tactile Go Set

Our tactile go boards are made of MDF wood, with a raised grid. The stones are slotted on the back to click into the grid. White stones are smooth on top, while black stones have concentric circles on them. The grid itself can be felt easily, and the stones will not be dislodged by moving your fingers across them.

Free for schools for the visually impaired, $30 for individuals.

19x19 Tactile Go Set

Free for schools for the visually impaired, $75 for individuals.

Support For College Clubs

Although the AGF does not provide free equipment to college clubs, we do offer AGA matching funds for purchases. This program gives clubs access to all of the items in the AGF store. Please note that equipment can only be used for in club play. Individuals may not order equipment for personal use, and clubs may not resell our equipment. Click here to visit the store.

Approved programs will receive up to $50 in matching funds from the AGA. This means if you want $100 worth of equipment, you need to pay $50 and the AGA will pay the other $50. Charges for shipping are included in matching funds.

College clubs that are also AGA Chapters are entitled to a full $100 in matching funds.

To apply to become an AGF Program, fill out or online Project Application Form. If you need help starting a club, you can request an AGF Mentor to help you develop your Go program. E-mail us for more info.

Support For AGA Chapters

AGA Chapters can purchase any of the items in the AGF store. Please note that equipment can only be used for in club play. Individuals may not order equipment for personal use, and clubs may not resell our equipment. Click here to visit the store.

The Way To Go

Revised for its seventh printing, WTG is a proven winner when it comes to learning how to play go. This AGA publication is available for download in pdf format here.

If you have an event coming up, write to us at mail@agfgo.org. Tell us about the event and how many WTG booklets you will need. You can request up to 100 copies per year, per chapter. The print edition is a pocket-sized booklet. Additional copies are available for purchase here.

Beginner's Kit

Perfect for introducing the game to newcomers, this kit includes 4 9x9/13x13 vinyl boards, and one full set of plastic stones - enough for four simultaneous games of 9x9 at once.

The Beginners Kit costs $20, including shipping and handling.

Other Ways We Can Help

Matching Grants for Equipment and Salaries: The AGF offers approved programs up to $200 in matching grants for equipment, and up to $1000 to match salaries of newly hired Go instructors in after school-programs and community settings such as libraries and youth centers.

AGF Store: Approved programs can order exclusive supplies at discounted prices.

AGF Teacher of the Year Award: An outstanding Go teacher receives an all-expenses paid trip to The US Go Congress.

Special Vendor Discounts: As an AGF programs, all your dollars go further. Most major Go vendors offer special discounts to AGF-approved teaching programs.

Free Book for Teachers and Organizers: Go as Communication is a unique look at Go through the eyes of Yasuda Yasutoshi, 9-Dan, a Japanese Professional Go player. He has a passionate belief in the value of Go for children and special populations such as the elderly and those with developmental delays. Click here to request a copy.

Fiscal Management: Your local supporters may be able to donate to your activities through the AGF, making their contributions tax-deductible. Ask for details. In addition, local and regional funds that could help you are available through cultural, educational and civic organizations and government grants. In many cases the grantee must be a 501c3 nonprofit; that's where we come in! As an approved program, you can apply to use our corporate structure to obtain these funds, as long your project fits our guidelines.

Support for College Programs

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