American Contract Bridge League

The mission of the Educational Foundation is to get more people of all ages and walks of life playing bridge. To achieve its mission, the Foundation awards grants for new programs that promote bridge education American Contract Bridge League

The Educational Foundation encourages grant applications for educational projects, programs and services that will grow the future of bridge. Innovative, first time projects are especially welcome. The Foundation generally is not able to fund equipment (e.g., bidding boxes, duplicate boards). The Foundation strongly encourages applicants to also secure additional funds from other sources (e.g., local ACBL Unit or District, or private).

Priority will be given to:

• projects whose goals are aligned with the Foundation’s mission and the strategic goals of the ACBL.
• organizations that are working to be more effective and share learning opportunities with related groups.
• projects which have secured matching funds.

The ACBL Educational Foundation meets at each of the three North American Bridge Championships (NABCs) during the year. The application deadlines are:

• February 15 (for the March meeting)
• June 15 (for the July meeting)
• October 15 (for the November meeting)

All applicants who are awarded a grant are expected to submit a completed Project Summary and Evaluation Form at the completion of their project. It is highly recommended that applicants review this form before submitting a grant application.

Bridge–the ultimate partnership game–is a game of skill, communication and infinite possibilities. Worldwide, millions of people play it at home. Many also play “duplicate bridge” in clubs and tournaments to enjoy its social and competitive aspects.

Bridge is played using a standard deck of 52 cards dealt equally among four players. The players bid in a coded language to describe their hands to their partners and then play to make their contract. Generally, one suit is determined as “trump,” leading to the expression, “Play your trump card.” Duplicate contract bridge, in which each competitor or team plays identical hands under similar conditions, is the main form of competitive bridge.

ACBL members receive masterpoints for winning and placing in club and tournament games as they strive to advance through the ranks. There are a required number of masterpoints for each of 14 levels, from Rookie (0-5 points) to Grand Life Master (10,000+ points and a National Title).

Bridge traces its origins to the British game of whist, first played in the 16th century. It may be named for the Galata Bridge in Istanbul, which British soldiers crossed during the Crimean War of the 19th century to reach a coffeehouse where they played cards. Contract bridge as we know it today began in the 1920s when Harold Vanderbilt came up with the early scoring system.

The American Contract Bridge League was founded in 1937. Today it is the largest bridge organization in the world, supporting clubs and tournaments in the United States, Canada, Mexico and Bermuda. A not-for-profit organization, the ACBL determines internationally recognized rules of bridge, sanctions clubs and tournament games, and encourages participation at all levels of proficiency and experience.