During its first two decades, ACOR made enormous strides. Starting from scratch, ACOR became a major research center with a large purpose-built building, an extensive research library and a variety of equipment for supporting archaeology in Jordan.
However, during those decades no provision was being made for lean years. ACOR lived hand to mouth, with the expenses of each year met by income in that year.
The 1990's demonstrated clearly the dangers of not having adequate reserves. During the Gulf War there were no fellows, few archaeologists, no development grant management income - no cash to maintain the building or pay the staff. Since the war there has been another threat with the reduction of US government funding.
In 1994 the Board of Trustees decided to insure the future by creating an endowment fund that would be adequate to support skeleton operations during lean times. The objective is a fund of $3.1 million.
To assist in meeting this target, ACOR applied for and was awarded a challenge grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH). NEH will match up to $133,333 on a 1 to 3 basis between December 1, 1994 and July 30, 1999. If you donate $3,000, NEH will add $1,000 for a total of $4,000.
Please help us protect ACOR's future, and take advantage of the NEH challenge. Mark checks for less than $1,000 "ACOR endowment - NEH challenge" on the memo line. For donations of $1,000 or more, and all non-cash donations (e.g. shares of stock), we require a separate letter with the wording:
I made payment of this gift directly to the American Center of Oriental Research on (date).
ACOR, one of the American Schools of Oriental Research, is tax exempt as a 501(c)3 organization, as determined by the U.S. Internal Revenue Service. Thus, your donation may be eligible for a charitable deduction for U. S. federal, state and municipal income taxes purposes, depending on your tax situation.