Minaz Abji, executive vice president of Host Hotels and Resorts, Inc., contributed $10,000 to the American Hotel & Lodging Educational Foundation (AH&LEF) 2014 Annual Giving Campaign. This is Abji's third donation at the Leadership Gift level. Abji previously made five consecutive donations at the six-diamond level. Abji is chair of AH&LEF's board of trustees and a member of the American Hotel & Lodging Association board of directors.

"We are fortunate to count Minaz as a long-time Foundation supporter and volunteer," said AH&LEF President/AH&LA CFO Joori Jeon. "We need more industry leaders like Minaz who recognize the important work that the Foundation does for the industry."

AH&LEF is the not-for-profit affiliate of AH&LA and is funded solely by charitable donations from progressive hospitality leaders and companies within the industry. In 2013, AH&LEF disbursed over $1 million to prepare promising college students for a career in hospitality, to attract and retain talented industry professionals, and to fund valuable research for lodging properties. Since the Foundation's inception, approximately $18.5 million has been distributed through its scholarship, education, outreach, and research programs. 

The Annual Giving Campaign is AH&LEF's key yearly fundraising initiative supported solely by the hospitality sector. Initiated in 1997, the program generates funds for AH&LEF's core programs that provide hospitality management students with academic scholarships, offers grants for pertinent industry research such as diversity and technology advancement, and promotes hospitality as a career of choice. The Foundation is scheduled to disburse more than $1 million this year. 

Support the Foundation by helping to fund the future of the lodging industry. Visit www.ahlef.org/donate to make a contribution today. All AH&LEF contributions are tax-deductible to the fullest extent of the law. For more information about donating, contact Michelle Poinelli, senior vice president of foundation programs, at (202) 289-3181 or mpoinelli@ahlef.org or visit www.ahlef.org.