Aikido Association of America was founded by Shihan Fumio Toyoda. Its goal, as defined by Shihan Toyoda, is to raise and maintain the quality of American Aikido instruction at its highest level.

The Midwest Aikido Center (MAC) was established in 1975 under Illinois state law as a not-for-profit educational corporation for the dissemination of Aikido technique and philosophy.

The first dojo in the Midwest dedicated to Aikido, Chicago Aikikai offers a warm community and a tranquil environment for the study of the traditional Japanese "martial art of peace."

The AWA will provide for its members, dojo affiliation nationally and internationally. Standardized testing requirements for rank certification that will lead to Black Belt status through the Aikikai Foundation, World Headquarters in Tokyo, Japan.