ISPRS is a truly international Society, representing more than one hundred countries and regions around the world. However, many ISPRS member countries have inadequate finances to enable them to carry out their work or to participate in the worthwhile activities of the organisation. In addition, the funds available to ISPRS to achieve its tasks are limited. Hence, ISPRS Council in 2003 embarked on the development of The ISPRS Foundation as a means of raising funds to improve its ability to assist worthy applicants. These include especially those from developing countries and emerging markets who wish to further their knowledge, skills and experience in the sciences and technologies associated with the disciplines embodied by the ISPRS.

Funding
Typical activities supported by The ISPRS Foundation are awareness education, distance learning, fellowships, scholarships, exchange programmes, international workshops, travel grants and internships. It is also intended to fund appropriate research initiatives, preservation and archiving, standards projects and awards. The financial assistance provided by The ISPRS Foundation will enable recipients to better develop their expertise in the photogrammetry, remote sensing and spatial information sciences. This will impact on their ability to map, document, and hence monitor and manage, their land and environment.

Publicity
The ISPRS Foundation Inc. is a non-profit group managed by a board of eleven trustees that responds to ISPRS grant needs identified by ISPRS Council. The Board of Trustees, whose backgrounds are on the ISPRS Foundation website (link below), is responsible for fundraising, investment, management and approval for grants from Foundation funds. Trustees do not receive any salary or other compensation for their services. The Foundation was officially launched at the ISPRS Congress in Istanbul in July 2004. Some significant funds have been received for the Foundation since then. For example, an anonymous grant of US$10,000 was received during the congress, while a grant of US$25,000 has been received from Leica Geosystems. In addition, funds earned from the ISPRS Congress in 2000 in Amsterdam and held in trust in The Netherlands have been transferred to the ISPRS Foundation. Many smaller donations have been received from individuals. The Board of Trustees appreciates the generosity of all donors. Publicity for further donations is continuing via both targeted approaches to corporations and appropriate individuals and general mailing.

Grants
The first grants from the ISPRS Foundation, to be derived from funds earned from the ISPRS Congress in 2000 in Amsterdam, will be made to individuals who wish to attend ISPRS Symposia during 2006. Submissions for grants to attend the Symposia held by Technical Commissions I, II, VI and VII have now closed and the many applications are being reviewed. The submission date for applications for grants to attend the Symposia of Technical Commissions III, IV, V and VIII will close on 1st June 2006.

Benefits
Significant benefits are expected for those receiving travel grants to attend the symposia. The ISPRS Foundation is an ambitious undertaking on the part of the Society, but one that it is hoped will greatly benefit individuals from less-developed countries. The Board of Trustees hopes everyone with an interest in the future of the Society’s activities, particularly in developing countries, will give generously to the Foundation.