The AAHOA Charitable Foundation (ACF) announced the adoption of its new Charter, establishing a clear mission, governance framework and financial stewardship principles designed to amplify the Foundation’s impact through four key pillars of giving: Education and Scholarships, Women and Youth Advancement in Hospitality and Beyond, Humanitarian Aid and Disaster Relief and Anti-Human Trafficking.

“These four pillars embody how we live out our purpose—empowering and supporting communities through education, opportunity and service,” said Nishant (Neal) Patel, Chairman of the ACF Board. “This Charter gives structure to that purpose. It ensures that every initiative, donation and partnership we undertake reflects the values of integrity, accountability and compassion that define the AAHOA community.”

The newly adopted Charter formalizes the Foundation’s purpose and mission, which is to make grants, donations and strategic investments that advance education, opportunity and humanitarian support in alignment with IRS 501(c)(3) charitable standards. It also codifies strong governance, fiscal responsibility and transparent operations through an appointed Board of Directors that oversees strategic direction, financial management and annual audits.

“This new Charter represents an important milestone in ACF’s evolution,” said AAHOA Chairman Kamalesh (KP) Patel. “It ensures that our philanthropic work is guided by strong governance, financial integrity and a shared vision rooted in AAHOA’s values. By defining four strategic pillars, we are creating a powerful platform to mobilize our members, partners and stakeholders toward charitable efforts that deliver measurable, lasting change.”

The Four Pillars of Impact

The Foundation’s work is organized around four central pillars that guide its mission and measure its impact:

• Education and Scholarships: Expanding access to education and professional development that unlocks opportunity within hospitality and beyond.‍
• Women and Youth Advancement: Empowering future leaders and entrepreneurs through skills training, mentorship and career pathways that prioritize women and youth.
• Humanitarian Aid and Disaster Relief: Providing rapid, needs-based support to stabilize individuals and communities during crises and catastrophic events.‍
• Anti-Human Trafficking: Supporting organizations that assist victims and survivors, while advancing industry-wide initiatives to prevent trafficking in hospitality.

“These pillars bring clarity and direction to ACF’s vision,” Neal Patel added. “They ensure our resources are focused where they can make the most measurable difference in helping people, strengthening communities and uniting our industry in service to humanity.”

The Charter underscores ACF’s commitment to financial integrity and transparency, requiring an audited annual report to be presented to the Board, donors and regulatory authorities. All investments are governed by the ‘Prudent Investor’ standard, ensuring responsible growth and preservation of capital.