AAA-ICDR Foundation®

The AAA-ICDR Foundation is honored to welcome Trooper Sanders to its Board of Directors. A member of the American Arbitration Association’s Board of Directors and leader in AI policy and social innovation, Trooper is the founder of Predawn.ai and recently co-chaired the workforce and opportunity group for the National Artificial Intelligence Advisory Committee. His experience includes serving in policy roles during two White House administrations, where he advanced initiatives in public policy and equity-driven innovation—expertise that will be an asset to our mission. We thank Karen P. Layng for her leadership and commitment to the Foundation’s Board. Her contributions have strengthened the Foundation’s mission and will have a lasting impact.

Imagine if appropriate crisis call could be met by a skilled mediator to facilitate and resolve community conflicts. That’s the vision behind the AAA-ICDR Foundation’s new focus area: Integrating Mediation into Crisis Response Systems. By equipping alternative crisis response teams with mediation skills and embedding dialogue-based approaches into public safety, we can reduce violence, strengthen relationships, and make communities safer for everyone. In the years ahead, the Foundation will take this innovative work nationwide, funding systems where mediation and crisis response unite to expand access to conflict resolution.

New AAA-ICDR Foundation Panel Partners Program! This new program engages AAA panel members to select local partner organizations to receive grants and aims to advance access to justice and mediation - starting in California. 🌉 The Bar Association of San Francisco is introducing Restorative Justice to the city’s affordable housing landscape. 🏙️ Community Boards is expanding access to mediation in underserved neighborhoods. 🎖️ Veterans Legal Institute is offering trauma-informed legal and mediation services to veterans in need. These projects reflect how local innovation can strengthen communities and promote peaceful conflict resolution. Learn more: http://bit.ly/3WxO7Ee

Equity in mediation begins with representation. At the 2025 Association for Conflict Resolution Annual Conference, join Cassie Lively, Ph.D., VP at the American Arbitration Association and former Center for Conflict Resolution (CCR) Executive Director, with Israel Putnam and Stephen Sullivan, for an insightful session on how CCR, with support from the AAA-ICDR Foundation, redesigned its Mediator Mentorship Program to strengthen diversity and inclusion across its volunteer network. 📍 Temple University, Philadelphia 🗓 November 5–7, 2025 🔗 Register: https://bit.ly/4hrwdfQ 🎯 Session: “Working to Build Equity in Volunteer Mediator Pools: Strategies and Resources.”

Only one week left to apply! With support from the AAA-ICDR Foundation, Dignity Best Practices is offering two cities/counties $200K in technical assistance to launch mediation-trained response teams for nonviolent 911 calls. Apply by October 17: https://bit.ly/4nbl4Sw

The AAA-ICDR Foundation awarded $2.6 million in grants to support transformative alternative dispute resolution programs worldwide in 2024. Highlights include scholarships to six students at historically Black universities, 10 Annual Grant Cycle grantees, a multiyear collaboration with the JAMS Foundation promoting diversity in ADR professionals, and Rapid Response grants addressing homelessness and campus antisemitism. Discover more from Chair Bruce Meyerson’s letter and the full annual report: https://bit.ly/3HdaOt5

New Resource: An Implementation Guide for a Mediation Based Alternatives to Police Response Program Modeled on the City of Dayton Mediation Center successful Mediation Response Unit, this guide serves as a practical roadmap for government leaders and community organizations seeking to launch or expand alternative response programs. Drawing from Dayton’s real-world experience, it offers step-by-step guidance to help communities design initiatives that reduce reliance on police for nonviolent disputes, build public trust, and resolve conflict in safer, more effective ways. Access the full guide here: http://bit.ly/46Bhha7

Imagine a world where 911 calls between neighbors, families, or businesses can be resolved without police involvement. With support from the AAA-ICDR Foundation, Dignity Best Practices is offering two cities or counties $200,000 in technical assistance to build or expand mediation-trained response teams. Applications are due October 17, 2025. Learn more and apply here: https://bit.ly/4nbl4Sw

The AAA-ICDR Foundation Podcast is back with a new episode! 🎙️ This time, featuring AAA President & CEO Bridget Mary McCormack for a powerful conversation about expanding access to justice and bringing the tools of dispute resolution into everyday life. From community violence prevention to disaster recovery and youth engagement, this episode explores how the Foundation is helping people and communities across the country navigate conflict, build resilience, and strengthen trust. Tune in now: https://bit.ly/4gKzua5

Our AAA-ICDR Foundation Q3 2025 Newsletter is live! This issue announces funding for three innovative projects through the California Panel Partner Grants Program and features an inspiring podcast interview with Bridget Mary McCormack on extending the AAA mission through community partnerships. Readers will also find opportunities to apply for field mediation technical assistance, along with new resources including the Dayton Mediation Center Response Unit Implementation Guide and recent research on mediation practice trends. Together, these initiatives reflect the Foundation’s commitment to advancing ADR and building safer, more connected communities. Read the full issue now: https://bit.ly/41Q8ek7