Almost a decade ago, a tenacious octogenarian, F.J., made her first generous gift to support our work at AHA Foundation. She had been deeply inspired by Ayaan, telling us, “Of the many women engaged in fighting for women’s rights, I admire Ayaan most of all for her courage in the face of so many challenges and setbacks in her life.” She added, “It is shocking to think that a practice such as [female genital mutilation] can be carried out in this country, even tolerated, without more people being aware of the fact and joining in its public condemnation.
As the years went on, her engagement with our work, and her generosity, continued. With time, as she reached her 90s, she began thinking more often about what she would leave behind. She told us she was working to complete a book she had been writing, fully aware that the time she had left to finish it was not endless. During those conversations, she also shared that she planned to remember AHA Foundation in her will.
August is Make-a-Will month, and three years after F.J.’s passing, we honor and remember her legacy gift that has quietly strengthened AHA Foundation’s work since then. Because her gift was unrestricted, it became a source of stability we could rely on—fueling everything from policy advocacy to education and survivor support.
Like F.J., your choices today can create a legacy that defends Western freedoms for generations.
What Legacy Gifts Make Possible*
$35,000 → Pass state legislation to end child marriage or female genital mutilation (FGM)
$10,000 → Fund two months of policy advocacy protecting girls from child marriage or FGM
$16,000 → Support one student through AHA Fellowship on confronting antisemitism
$160,000 → Support a cohort of 10 Fellows defending Western freedoms
If you’ve ever wondered whether a legacy gift can make a difference, I can tell you: it already has. And it will again.
If you have any questions about including AHA Foundation in your will or estate plans, our team is here to help. You can reach us at TreyD@theahafoundation.org.