THE MARTIN AND MIRASH IVANAJ FOUNDATION

The New York Corporation

INTRODUCTION

The Foundation became a legal entity in the State of New York in 1995 as a not-for-profit, tax-exempt, organization recognized by the Internal Revenue Service with a 501(c)(3) status. The nature of the Foundation is non-political and non-religious; its aims are strictly cultural and educational.

The Foundation was created to honor the memory of Doctor Martin Ivanaj and Professor Mirash Ivanaj and to help the young people of Albania to advance their education in the preservation of freedom and independence for their beloved country.

The Ivanaj brothers dedicated all their lives to Albania, and they are still well remembered by the current generations because they always exemplified patriotism, integrity, intellectualism, and trustworthiness. These qualities should continue to permeate Albanian life in the future -- regardless of religion, politics, gender or ethnic background.

To this end, the Foundation's purpose is to:

promote and encourage the culture and education of Albania,
encourage the education of its people about Albania's valiant history -- much of which is still undocumented, and
disseminate knowledge for the advancement of Albania in the free world.

The young generations must learn from the lessons of the past and from the knowledge of the present to forge a better future for themselves and for generations of Albanians to come.

As the founder of this organization, I pledge not only all my time, energy, and personal possessions to its expansion and support, but also the concrete gifts of the Foundation's basic assets, as well as abundant family and historical documentation about our country.

The Foundation does not employ regular staff or paid consultants, but relies on services provided by a volunteer force. Thanks to modern technology, we can all communicate and collaborate more easily to achieve our common goals. I am confident that Albanians around the world, and friends of Albania alike, will demonstrate their willingness to participate in this effort by volunteering their services or sending contributions to further the Foundation's aims.

Drita Ivanaj
President
September 1996

GOALS

1996 was the first year during which the Foundation started more detailed planning for its subsistence and expansion. Since then, because of limited staff resources, the Foundation is handling small projects that can provide for additional funding, and it is managing the volunteers that are helping in the implementation of both short and long term plans.

Realistic goals that have been set for the next couple of years include:

The creation of a cultural and educational Institute in Tirana that will work under the umbrella of the New York Corporation. (see The Albanian Institute)

The management of fund raising activities.

The research for grant proposals to obtain funds from corporations and other agencies.

The renovation of the reacquired Tirana real estate properties that will house the Ivanaj Institute.

The implementation and maintenance of databases of information needed by the Institute.

The establishment of educational and cultural contacts for future seminars and conferences to be held in Tirana as soon as the Institute becomes operational.

The organization and cataloging of historical documents to be exhibited at the Institute in Tirana.

The shipment to Albania of donated materials, books, documents, and computing hardware and software.

Some of these goals may require a long time to be accomplished, but, in the meantime, several other activities are ongoing, and we report our progress and accomplishments in the following sections..