FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
General Foundation & Eligibility FAQ
General Foundation
Q: Who was Capt John J. Sax?
Capt John J. Sax was a devoted husband, loving father, cherished son, brother, and friend, a proud Marine, and a 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.
Q: Why was this foundation started?
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 understood the financial challenges of an aviation education firsthand, having partially funded his own training through student 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.
Q: Who founded/operates this foundation?
The Capt Sax Foundation was founded and is operated by Capt John J. Sax’s 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 involved.
Q: Who makes decisions regarding foundation funds?
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.
Q: What is your "commitment to transparency?"
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.
Q: What does it mean to be volunteer-powered?
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.
Q: Are there multiple organizations honoring Capt Sax?
The Capt Sax Foundation is the only operating charitable organization bearing the name of Capt John J. Sax, and is founded and administered by his surviving spouse and children.
The Capt Sax Foundation is distinguished by the following verifiable facts:
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The Capt Sax Foundation was founded and is operated by John’s immediate family - his wife, Amber, and their two daughters - alongside close friends and fellow aviators.
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The Foundation is fully volunteer-powered. All operating expenses are personally covered by John’s wife, ensuring that 100% of public donations support the scholarship program and its recipients.
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We prioritize transparency and accountability. Our financial reports and IRS Form 990 filings are published on our website as soon as they are available.
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Scholarship decisions are made by an independent board of directors composed entirely of aviators, using clearly defined eligibility criteria and a standardized application process.
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The Foundation awards aviation-focused scholarships to individuals pursuing education and careers in fields such as flight, aircraft maintenance, engineering, air traffic control, and related disciplines.
The Capt Sax Foundation is not affiliated with any digital art (NFT) sales, Reagan Library golf events, or MLB Auctions and has not received funding from these sources.
Eligibility
Q: Is there an age limit for applicants?
No, applicants of all ages are welcome. As long as you’re eligible for the program or training you’re applying for, you will be considered.
Q: I live outside of the United States, am I eligible?
Currently, all scholarship recipients must be residing within the United States.
Exception: United States military service members currently serving overseas.
Q: Is military service a requirement to qualify?
No, military service isn’t a requirement to receive a Capt Sax Scholarship. Scholarship awards are given based on many factors, with the primary goal being to maximize the reach of Capt John J. Sax’s legacy within each recipient’s life and the potential impact of each scholarship.
Q: I'm at the beginning of my training, am I eligible?
YES! Everyone needs to start somewhere, and we recognize the incredible costs associated with taking those first steps. For this reason, the scholarship is open to both seasoned professionals and those who are just beginning their aviation journey.
Q: Is the scholarship open to non-pilots?
YES! The scholarship is open to individuals engaged in other aviation-related educational pursuits. This includes current or aspiring Aviation Mechanics, Air Traffic Controllers, college students pursuing educational goals in other aviation-related fields, etc.
Q: Where can I learn about previous scholarship recipients?
We feature applicant spotlights on our social media pages, linked at the bottom of our website, in addition to sharing them on our blog.
All recipients are selected based on many factors, with the primary goal being to maximize the reach of Capt John J. Sax’s legacy within each recipient’s life and the potential impact of each scholarship.
Q: How are scholarship recipients selected?
All scholarship award decisions are made exclusively by our board, comprised of 8 military and civilian pilots who meet bi-annually to review applications and select each award recipient.
If you have any further questions, please contact us via email at info@captsaxfoundation.org or submit a question through our contact us page.
We appreciate your inquiries and will respond to you as quickly as possible!