# The Alexander Foundation

> The Alexander Foundation is a family-run 501(c)(3) in Grand Blanc, Michigan that provides financial assistance to families of children with Cloverleaf Syndrome and other craniofacial conditions, and educates the public about treating people with disabilities with dignity.

The Alexander Foundation (TAF) is a volunteer-run 501(c)(3) public charity based in Grand Blanc, Michigan (PO Box 584, Grand Blanc, MI 48439; EIN 03-0534249). It was founded in 2003 by Dave and Colleen Schon and is named for Alex Schon, born in 2000 with Cloverleaf Syndrome (Kleeblattschädel), a rare form of craniosynostosis. No board member or volunteer is paid. The foundation (1) gives financial assistance to parents and caregivers of children with Cloverleaf Syndrome and other craniosynostosis or craniofacial conditions, usually by paying hospitals, schools or therapy providers directly; (2) educates the public about the mistreatment of people with disabilities, chiefly through its children's book "Hugs, Handshakes & High Fives"; and (3) publishes unbiased information about treatment options and curated resource lists. Its main fundraiser is an annual golf outing in Genesee County, Michigan (the 19th is on August 2, 2026 at Flushing Valley Golf Club). Donations are processed through GoFundMe Pro. Contact: contact@thealexanderfd.org (general) and donations@thealexanderfd.org (giving).

## Key facts
- Legal name: The Alexander Foundation. EIN (tax ID): 03-0534249. Founded 2003.
- Mailing address: PO Box 584, Grand Blanc, MI 48439, USA.
- Mission focus: Cloverleaf Syndrome, craniosynostosis, craniofacial conditions, disability inclusion education.
- Book: "Hugs, Handshakes & High Fives" by David Schon and Casey Sage, illustrated by Marcela Ribero (ISBN 1453698795), for grades K to 3. All proceeds go to the foundation.
- Sponsorship levels: Corporate $1,000, Platinum $500, Gold $300, Silver $150.
- Golf outing pricing: $400 per team of four, $100 per golfer, $35 dinner only.

## Pages
- [Our Mission](https://thealexanderfd.org/our-mission/): The Alexander Foundation gives financial assistance to families of children with Cloverleaf Syndrome and other craniosynostosis, educates the public about how people with disabilities are treated, and publishes honest information about treatment options.
- [Alex's Story](https://thealexanderfd.org/our-inspiration/): Alex Schon was born in 2000 with Cloverleaf Syndrome, one of 139 cases ever reported, and was not expected to survive. His story is why The Alexander Foundation exists.
- [A Message from Our President](https://thealexanderfd.org/about-us/): Dave Schon, President and co-founder of The Alexander Foundation, on why a small family foundation started in 2003 is still helping families of children with craniofacial conditions.
- [Leadership & Advisors](https://thealexanderfd.org/leadership-advisors/): Meet the volunteer board and advisors of The Alexander Foundation: Dave and Colleen Schon, Casey Sage, Diane Rayner, John Inman and Alan Farah. Nobody is paid.
- [Success Stories](https://thealexanderfd.org/success-stories/): Real examples of The Alexander Foundation's work: a first-grade Reading Day built around our book, a year of therapy camp for a boy with a brain tumor, and help with Connor Carlisle's medical bills.
- [Who We Fund](https://thealexanderfd.org/who-we-fund/): The Alexander Foundation funds children's hospitals, schools, camps and programs that serve children with craniofacial conditions and disabilities, including Nicklaus Children's, Johns Hopkins, CHOP, University of Michigan Health, Special Olympics Michigan and Clarkston SCAMP.
- [Impact Partners](https://thealexanderfd.org/impact-partners/): Businesses and financial firms that support The Alexander Foundation with resources, sponsorship and expertise, including Raymond James, Floor Source, Dort Financial, Invesco, T. Rowe Price, Calamos and Disney.
- [Supporters](https://thealexanderfd.org/supporters/): Thank you to the Corporate, Platinum, Gold and Silver sponsors of The Alexander Foundation's annual golf outing. Sponsors are listed for a full year.
- [Hugs, Handshakes & High Fives](https://thealexanderfd.org/our-book/): Hugs, Handshakes & High Fives is The Alexander Foundation's children's book for grades K to 3. Travis, a super-child, teaches kids to include everyone. Buy a copy or sponsor copies for a school.
- [Book Collection](https://thealexanderfd.org/our-books/): Thirteen children's books about disability, difference and belonging, chosen by The Alexander Foundation. Buy one for your family or sponsor copies for schools, churches and hospitals.
- [Research Hub](https://thealexanderfd.org/research/): Curated resource lists for families of children with craniosynostosis, Chiari malformation, epilepsy and VP shunts, plus leading children's hospitals, schools, disability organizations and family-led help groups. Each list has a printable PDF.
- [Craniosynostosis Resources](https://thealexanderfd.org/craniosynostosis/): Twelve trusted craniosynostosis resources: leading children's hospitals, family support organizations like CCA, FACES and CAPPS, and international guidelines, with a printable PDF.
- [Chiari Malformation Resources](https://thealexanderfd.org/chiari/): Twelve leading organizations and medical centers offering education, support, advocacy and research for children and families affected by Chiari malformation and syringomyelia.
- [Epilepsy Resources](https://thealexanderfd.org/epilepsy/): Twelve trusted epilepsy resources offering education, treatment information, seizure first aid, community support and advocacy, with a printable PDF.
- [VP Shunt Resources](https://thealexanderfd.org/vp-shunts/): Twelve trusted, plain-language resources about ventriculoperitoneal (VP) shunts: how they work, surgery, care, risks, complications and living with hydrocephalus.
- [Children's Hospitals for Craniofacial Care](https://thealexanderfd.org/hospitals/): Twelve nationally recognized children's hospitals known for excellence in craniofacial and craniosynostosis care, including CHOP, Boston Children's, Mott, Seattle Children's and Nicklaus Children's.
- [Schools for Students with Disabilities](https://thealexanderfd.org/schools/): Eleven recognized private schools across the United States dedicated to students with disabilities, offering individualized instruction, therapy services and inclusive learning environments.
- [Organizations Serving Children with Disabilities](https://thealexanderfd.org/disabilities/): Twelve respected U.S. organizations serving children with disabilities, covering early intervention, advocacy, education, inclusion, therapy and free medical care.
- [Family-Led Help Groups](https://thealexanderfd.org/help-groups/): Twenty family-led and grassroots organizations supporting children with disabilities and their families, founded by parents and people with lived experience, including Michigan groups.
- [Guide to Securing the Future](https://thealexanderfd.org/guide-to-securing-the-future/): An upcoming free family guide from The Alexander Foundation on long-term planning for a child with special needs: special needs trusts, benefits, and strategies for stability. Ask to be notified when it is ready.
- [Ways to Give](https://thealexanderfd.org/ways-to-give/): Every way to support The Alexander Foundation: one-time and monthly gifts, the annual golf outing, sponsorships, fundraising, tributes, employee giving, and planned gifts such as bequests, securities, DAFs and IRA rollovers.
- [Donate](https://thealexanderfd.org/donate/): Make a tax-deductible one-time gift to The Alexander Foundation. Secure checkout through GoFundMe Pro. $50 buys six copies of our book for a classroom; $500 can catch a family up on a month of medical bills.
- [Give Monthly](https://thealexanderfd.org/give-monthly/): Become a monthly supporter of The Alexander Foundation. Steady gifts help us say yes quickly when a family asks for help. Encrypted processing, email receipts, change or cancel any time.
- [Give a Tribute](https://thealexanderfd.org/give-a-tribute/): Honor or remember someone special with a tribute gift or a tribute page that friends and family can give to. Obituary wording available.
- [Employee Giving & Corporate Partnerships](https://thealexanderfd.org/employee-giving/): Multiply your impact through workplace giving, matching gifts, sponsorships, cause marketing and corporate foundation grants with The Alexander Foundation.
- [19th Annual Golf Outing](https://thealexanderfd.org/golf-outing/): Join The Alexander Foundation's 19th Annual Golf Tournament on Sunday, August 2, 2026 at Flushing Valley Golf Club in Flushing, Michigan. $400 per team, $100 per golfer, dinner only $35. Register by July 15.
- [Become a Sponsor](https://thealexanderfd.org/become-a-sponsor/): Sponsor The Alexander Foundation's annual golf outing at the Corporate ($1,000), Platinum ($500), Gold ($300) or Silver ($150) level. Visibility on the course, at the awards and on our website for a year.
- [Be a Fundraiser](https://thealexanderfd.org/be-a-fundraiser/): Turn a birthday, a race, a bake sale or an online page into help for families of children with craniofacial conditions. 100% of what you raise funds The Alexander Foundation's work.
- [Fundraisers](https://thealexanderfd.org/fundraisers/): Start your own fundraising page, join a team, or honor someone you love. See every active team and personal fundraiser for The Alexander Foundation and how much each has raised.
- [Leave a Legacy Gift](https://thealexanderfd.org/leave-a-legacy-gift/): Include The Alexander Foundation in your will, trust or beneficiary designations and help children with craniofacial conditions for years to come. Sample language, EIN and address provided.
- [Bequest Language](https://thealexanderfd.org/bequest/): Sample will and trust language for leaving a bequest to The Alexander Foundation, plus our legal name, EIN 03-0534249 and mailing address for your attorney.
- [Donate Securities](https://thealexanderfd.org/donate-securities/): Make a tax-smart gift of appreciated stock, mutual funds or ETFs to The Alexander Foundation. Instructions for your broker, a letter template and answers to common questions.
- [Donor-Advised Funds](https://thealexanderfd.org/donor-advised-funds/): Recommend a one-time or recurring grant to The Alexander Foundation from Fidelity Charitable, Schwab Charitable, Vanguard Charitable or a community foundation. Search by EIN 03-0534249.
- [IRA Charitable Rollover](https://thealexanderfd.org/ira-charitable-rollover/): If you are 70½ or older, a Qualified Charitable Distribution from your IRA to The Alexander Foundation can count toward your required minimum distribution without increasing taxable income.
- [Charitable Gift Annuities](https://thealexanderfd.org/charitable-gift-annuities/): A charitable gift annuity lets you make a gift to The Alexander Foundation and receive fixed payments for life, with potential tax benefits. Request a personalized illustration.
- [Charitable Remainder Trusts](https://thealexanderfd.org/charitable-remainder-trusts/): A charitable remainder trust can provide you or loved ones with income today and make a meaningful future gift to The Alexander Foundation.
- [Charitable Lead Trusts](https://thealexanderfd.org/charitable-lead-trusts/): A charitable lead trust makes annual gifts to The Alexander Foundation for a set term, then passes the remaining assets to your family or other beneficiaries.
- [Life Insurance Gifts](https://thealexanderfd.org/life-insurance-gifts/): Name The Alexander Foundation as a beneficiary of a life insurance policy, or transfer ownership of a policy you no longer need, to create future impact for families.
- [Contact](https://thealexanderfd.org/contact/): Contact The Alexander Foundation in Grand Blanc, Michigan to ask for financial assistance, get books for a school, sponsor the golf outing or ask a question. We reply personally.
- [Privacy Policy](https://thealexanderfd.org/privacy/): How The Alexander Foundation collects, uses and protects personal information on this website.
- [Terms and Conditions](https://thealexanderfd.org/terms/): Terms and conditions for using The Alexander Foundation website.
- [Accessibility](https://thealexanderfd.org/accessibility/): The Alexander Foundation's commitment to an accessible website: WCAG 2 AA conformance, hyperlegible type, keyboard navigation and how to report a barrier.
- [14th Annual Alexander Foundation Golf Outing](https://thealexanderfd.org/news/14th-annual-golf-outing/): Sunday, August 12, 2018 at The Jewel Golf Course in Grand Blanc. Shotgun start at 9:30 am, $340 per team of four.
- [12th Annual Alexander Foundation Golf Outing](https://thealexanderfd.org/news/12th-annual-golf-outing/): Sunday, August 14, 2016 at The Jewel Golf Course in Grand Blanc. Shotgun start at 9:30 am, $340 per team.
- [11th Annual Alexander Foundation Golf Outing](https://thealexanderfd.org/news/11th-annual-golf-outing/): Sunday, August 9, 2015 at The Jewel Golf Course in Grand Blanc.
- [10th Annual Alexander Foundation Golf Outing](https://thealexanderfd.org/news/10th-annual-golf-outing/): Sunday, August 17, 2014 at a new venue, The Jewel Golf Course in Grand Blanc.
- [The First International Conference on Dental and Craniofacial Stem Cells](https://thealexanderfd.org/news/international-conference-dental-craniofacial-stem-cells/): Columbia University hosted the first international conference on dental and craniofacial stem cells at the New York Academy of Sciences, April 27 to 29, 2011.
- [FaceBase: A Five-Year Craniofacial Research Initiative](https://thealexanderfd.org/news/facebase-initiative/): The National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research launched FaceBase to map how the human mid-face develops and to build a free database of craniofacial development for scientists.
- [The Sibling Support Project](https://thealexanderfd.org/news/sibling-support-project/): A national project that supports the brothers and sisters of people with special needs through Sibshops workshops held around the country.
- [Connor and Reid Carlisle Featured by the Children's Craniofacial Association](https://thealexanderfd.org/news/connor-and-reid-carlisle-featured-by-cca/): Connor Carlisle, one of the children the foundation has helped, and his brother Reid were featured in the Children's Craniofacial Association's Fall 2010 newsletter.
- [Hugs, Handshakes and High Fives Launches](https://thealexanderfd.org/news/hugs-handshakes-and-high-fives-launches/): The Alexander Foundation publishes its first children's book, a story about a super-child named Travis who brings people together with hugs, handshakes and high fives.

## Downloads (PDF)
- [Craniosynostosis resources](https://thealexanderfd.org/downloads/craniosynostosis-resources.pdf)
- [Epilepsy resources](https://thealexanderfd.org/downloads/epilepsy-resources.pdf)
- [VP shunt resources](https://thealexanderfd.org/downloads/vp-shunt-resources.pdf)
- [Chiari organizations](https://thealexanderfd.org/downloads/chiari-organizations.pdf)
- [Craniofacial hospitals](https://thealexanderfd.org/downloads/craniofacial-hospitals.pdf)
- [Schools for students with disabilities](https://thealexanderfd.org/downloads/schools-for-students-with-disabilities.pdf)
- [Organizations serving children with disabilities](https://thealexanderfd.org/downloads/children-disabilities-organizations.pdf)
- [Family-led help groups](https://thealexanderfd.org/downloads/help-groups.pdf)
- [Mail-in donation form](https://thealexanderfd.org/downloads/donation-form.pdf)

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