Help Preserve Our Heritage. Help Build What Comes Next.

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Financial contributions and donated equipment can help ASI turn its mission into lasting educational and community resources.

American Saudade, Inc. (ASI) welcomes interest from individuals, families, businesses, foundations, trusts, and other grantmaking institutions that wish to support the preservation of Portuguese and Cape Verdean maritime heritage.

Support may help preserve family histories, develop educational materials, strengthen research collections, document maritime traditions, and prepare S/V American Saudade for its planned heritage voyage.

Every contribution should serve a clear purpose, receive responsible oversight, and support work ASI has the capacity to carry forward.

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A Giving Program Under Development

ASI is developing the financial systems, gift-acceptance procedures, and fundraising arrangements needed to receive and manage contributions responsibly.

Potential approaches include online giving, fundraising events, project appeals, equipment donations, and applications for grants.

Specific campaigns and donation methods will be announced as they become ready. This page introduces the proposed giving program; it does not indicate that every fundraising activity or payment option is currently available.

Financial Giving

As the program develops, donors may have opportunities to make one-time contributions, recurring gifts, or gifts supporting an approved project.

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Financial support could help ASI:

• Preserve photographs, documents, and oral histories

• Develop educational videos and learning materials

• Build and maintain digital research resources

• Purchase archival supplies and suitable technology

• Support community presentations and cultural activities

• Develop supervised internship and volunteer initiatives

• Obtain approved vessel equipment and professional refit services

• Document the planned heritage voyage

• Meet the administrative costs that make these activities possible

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Unrestricted contributions would allow ASI to respond to its most pressing mission-related needs. Project-restricted gifts would be accepted only when ASI can honor the proposed purpose.

Responsible administration is part of delivering the mission.

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Equipment and Materials Donations

Useful equipment can make a practical difference when it matches an identified need.

Potential donations may include:

• Marine equipment, tools, and suitable spare parts

• Navigation and communications equipment

• Electrical and renewable-energy components

• Safety equipment suitable for the intended use

• Cameras, microphones, lighting, and production equipment

• Computers, scanners, and digital storage

• Archival supplies and collection-storage materials

• Appropriate office equipment

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ASI will review proposed donations before accepting delivery. Condition, compatibility, safety, remaining service life, ownership, storage, and the cost of installation or disposal all matter.

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Marine safety equipment and critical vessel components will require particular scrutiny. A donated item must be suitable for its intended purpose.

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Please contact ASI with a description, photographs, model information, condition, and any available service records before sending or delivering equipment.

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Gifts With a Clear Understanding

Before accepting a significant or restricted contribution, ASI will seek a shared understanding of its purpose and any conditions attached.

For equipment, this may include whether ASI may retain, install, transfer, sell, or otherwise dispose of the item. Any permitted sale proceeds would support ASI’s charitable work, subject to the agreed terms.

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For project funding, ASI will clarify what happens if a project changes, is delayed, becomes impractical, or receives more funding than required.

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ASI may decline a gift when its restrictions, costs, conditions, or other circumstances would interfere with the organization’s mission or responsible operation.

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Foundations, Trusts, and Institutional Grants

ASI intends to pursue appropriate funding opportunities from foundations, charitable trusts, community funds, businesses, and government grant programs.

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Potential proposals may address cultural preservation, maritime education, archives, digital storytelling, youth learning, and community engagement.

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Applications will be developed around defined projects, realistic budgets, measurable outcomes, and the ability to meet reporting requirements.

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Grant funding is competitive and will not be presented as secured until an award has been confirmed. ASI will evaluate matching requirements, reimbursement arrangements, and other obligations before accepting an award.

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Fundraising Events and Community Giving

Future fundraising may include educational presentations, community gatherings, heritage events, online appeals, and other approved activities.

Each campaign should clearly explain:

• The purpose of the appeal

• How contributions will be received

• The intended use of funds

• Any event benefits or goods provided

• Relevant costs and conditions

• How supporters can obtain further information

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Event participation and charitable giving will be described clearly so supporters understand what they are purchasing or contributing.

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Accountability and Donor Recognition

ASI’s developing donor procedures will address contribution records, acknowledgments, restricted funds, equipment inventories, spending approvals, and reporting.

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We intend to share meaningful progress without overstating what a contribution has achieved. Updates may include work completed, materials preserved, resources produced, and the challenges still ahead.

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Donors may choose whether they wish to be publicly recognized. ASI will seek permission before publishing a donor’s name, photograph, or personal story.

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A donation does not purchase editorial influence, authority over beneficiary selection, or control of ASI’s programs. Recognition will follow the terms agreed upon and ASI’s mission and policies.

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Before You Contribute

Use only the donation channels ASI officially announces. Please do not send funds to an individual volunteer or deliver equipment without prior acceptance.

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Acknowledgments will describe contributions received. Donors remain responsible for determining the value of donated property and obtaining their own tax advice. ASI will not promise that every contribution or event payment qualifies for a tax deduction.

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Questions about a proposed gift are welcome before any commitment is made.

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ACTA NON VERBA

Deeds, Not Words.

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Preserving heritage requires practical resources: the equipment to record a story, the materials to protect a photograph, the tools to complete a task, and the funding to sustain the work.

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ASI’s donor program is being developed to connect generosity with clearly defined needs and responsible action.

Help preserve a story. Equip a project. Support the work that carries our heritage forward.

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Explore Ways to Contribute

• Contact Us - Discuss a financial gift or proposed equipment donation.

• Current Projects - Explore ASI’s developing work.

• S/V American Saudade Refit - Learn about vessel preparation and equipment needs.

• Education and Internship Program - Explore proposed learning initiatives.

• Family Albums - Discover our approach to preserving family history.

• Transparency Policy - Review ASI’s accountability commitments.

• Privacy Policy - Learn how personal information is handled.