Frequently Asked Questions

Capt. John J. Sax was a devoted husband, loving father, Marine, and skilled pilot. He leaves behind his wife, two daughters, and countless cherished memories held by all who knew him.

“To know John is to love John.” He is often remembered for his warm smile, contagious laughter, and joyful spirit. John had a gift for connecting with others and a deep love for his family and his brothers and sisters in service.

We encourage you to continue to read about John and his passion for aviation on our About John page.

The Capt. Sax Foundation was created to honor the life and legacy of Capt. John J. Sax, USMC, by supporting current and aspiring aviators, as well as students pursuing their dreams in aviation.

John personally understood the financial challenges of an aviation education, having funded his own training through college loans, scholarships, and working as a student employee at Embry-Riddle. This foundation carries his legacy forward by helping ease those financial burdens for others on similar paths.

The Capt. Sax Foundation was founded and is operated by Capt. John J. Sax’s immediate family—his wife, Amber, and their two daughters—along with a dedicated team of close friends and aviators.

This foundation honors John’s legacy and provides a meaningful way for his daughters to carry it forward as they grow. It is the only foundation established in his name with which John’s wife and children are directly involved.

All decisions about foundation funds and scholarship awards are made exclusively by our board of directors, which includes eight aviators—seven military and one civilian.

Transparency is at the core of everything we do. All operational expenses are covered by direct donations from John’s wife, ensuring 100% of public donations go directly to scholarships.

Our financial records, including 990 filings and annual reports, are published on our website as soon as they are available. Learn more on our Transparency page.

We are entirely volunteer-powered, with no paid employees or salaries. Each of us volunteers our time as a way to honor John’s memory and channel our love for him into something positive and lasting.

Yes, several efforts exist to honor John, reflecting the deep love so many have for him.

The Capt. Sax Foundation is distinguished by these key facts:

• It was founded and is operated by John’s immediate family—his wife, Amber, and their two daughters—alongside close friends and aviators.
• We are fully volunteer-powered, with all expenses covered by direct donations from John’s wife. Every dollar collected by our generous supporters goes directly to the scholarship program and our recipients. 
• We prioritize full transparency, with detailed financial reports and our 990 filings published on our website as soon as they've been filed. 
• All decisions related to the scholarship fund and recipient selection are made by our board of directors, composed entirely of aviators.
• We offer aviation scholarships to individuals with clearly outlined eligibility criteria and a simple online application process.

We are not affiliated with digital art sales, golf tournaments, or other external fundraising efforts. For more information on other organizations honoring John, please visit their respective websites.