Our Values

We believe we have a duty to be good stewards and help others increase their self reliance so they can eventually help others. We prioritize organizations that teach people skills and give them tools with which to escape poverty, homelessness, and other difficult situations.  But people don't have to be in distress to benefit from self reliance improvement. Education, both formal and genuine trade learning (like hi tech computerization, maintenance of medical equipment, caring for sophisticated systems like airplane engines, and the like) so as to make an impact with personal skills and desires for future gainful employment.

We want our Board Members to engage our grantees to learn about what they do, as well as to help them improve what they do (when desired by grantees). We like to make site visits to meet key staff, and see operations and programs in person, to have a good understanding of how LAFF money is spent and to learn about real results.