Going back to school is an important time of year. It’s a period of learning and new experiences of course, but also of excitement and often anxiety. With the costs of education increasing exponentially, it’s important to consider ways – both large and small - that we can assist in the effort.Although AWA+D has existed for 95 years as an organization dedicated to supporting women in the design profession, our sister organization, the Association for Women in Architecture Foundation (AWAF), was established in 1997 to specifically address students. As a 501(c)(3), tax exempt charitable organization, AWAF raises funds and extends financial support to women students pursuing degrees in architecture and allied design fields. More recently the group has secured grants to award a Professional Development Fellowship targeting professional women in architecture and allied arts.To support the efforts of AWAF anyone can send a check to our headquarters or donate online via our website. One other incredibly easy way to contribute in an ongoing way is to utilize AmazonSmile (smile.amazon.com) which lets shoppers enjoy the same wide selection of products, low prices, and convenient shopping features as on Amazon.com. The difference is that when customers shop, the AmazonSmile Foundation will donate 0.5% of the price of eligible purchases to a charitable organization - selected by you!So How Does It Work?Simply visit AmazonSmile, and select our organization, Association For Women In Architecture Foundation Inc. and you’re set! From that point on you go about your shopping as usual, and for eligible purchases, the AmazonSmile Foundation will donate 0.5% of the purchase price to AWAF every time an item is eligible.So as women across California head back to school, consider helping in all of the ways noted above. Stay tuned for more information on AWAF’s Annual Fundraising Party in early December, and other efforts AWA+D and AWAF are initiating to support women in the profession.