Last December The American's Executive Council approved, by a vote in excess of the required two-thirds majority, the creation of the American Psychoanalytic Foundation. Incorporated in the District of Columbia in April of this year, the new foundation has applied to the Internal Revenue Service for status as a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt charitable organization. In the meantime three trustees—Harvey Rich of Washington, D.C., Nadine Levinson of Dana Point, California, and Harold Kulish of Birmingham, Michigan—have been appointed to the foundation's Board of Directors. All three have extensive financial and fundraising experience in their local organizations and serve on The American's Joint Board and Council Committee on Foundations, Rich as chair and the others as co-chairs. These initial appointments indicate The American's determination that the foundation's fundraising will complement, rather than compete with, the efforts of local institutes, societies, and foundations.

The board's first meeting, with Helen Fischer serving as consultant, was held in Philadelphia during the May meetings. Initial tasks included revision of a preliminary draft of the foundation's bylaws and the formulation of a statement of purpose.

Eventually the board will be expanded to include a mix of analysts and laypersons, in order to link the profession to the larger community and to provide economic, financial, and political expertise. Fundraising efforts will soon be under way; approximately $3,000 has already been contributed to the foundation to honor Helen Fischer on her retirement. Under consideration for funding are such areas as The Americans mentoring and fellowship programs, psychoanalytic research, and support for local groups looking to set up their own foundations.