LEWISVILLE, N.C., Aug. 26, 2024 — The Educational Foundation (EF) of IFDA, the International Furnishings and Design Association, is pleased to announce its grant winners for 2024. Since the early years of this 77-year-old global design industry alliance, EF has awarded grants to talented professionals as well as scholarships to high-achieving design students annually. The funds awarded this year total $31,500. The judging is conducted by a subset of the EF’s Board of Trustees.

“We are very pleased to present the grants for a diverse array of projects,” said Stephanie Graham, Chairman of the Board of the Educational Foundation of IFDA. “The grant winners’ skills and initiative in undertaking new challenges are impressive and each exemplified the goals of the award they were granted, whether universal design, historic preservation, professional development through expanding horizons or the advancement of interior design programs.” Earline Feldman, FIFDA, Director of Scholarships and Grants, echoed the sentiment. “Though the judges were challenged in selecting winners, each one was very deserving of the award.”

IFDA Educational Foundation Grants are offered to all professionals working in the interior design or furnishings related fields, but not to undergraduate students. Winners were notified earlier in the month. For more information, visit: ifdaef.org.

Elizabeth Brown Grant to Interior Design Programs( $2,500)
Georges Fares is an Assistant Professor of Interior Design at Auburn University in Auburn, Alabama, and has more than five years of teaching experience and nine years in project design and management across the Levant, Europe, the Gulf region and North America. His research centers on the intersection of architecture and space and the integration of technology to improve the lives of individuals with special needs. He is passionate about neuro-architecture, a field that combines neuroscience and architectural design to influence human perception and behavior through the seamless fusion of architecture and technology. The funds will be used to purchase essential materials to help students develop their drawing, drafting and design skills.

Irma Dobkin Universal Design Grant ($2,000)
Jane Dagmi of HPXD (High Point by Design) has been a journalist most of her career. She likes using words to educate and inspire others. “I am often drawn to real stories that feature a problem, challenge or need, followed by a smart, impactful solution. This is why I love interior design so much and the ingenious solution finders known as interior designers,” said Dagmi. “Currently we are prepping for a two- day conference centered on Designing for Neurodiversity which ties in with the City of High Point’s accreditation as a Certified Autism Destination. Our goal in producing a two-day event is to enlighten designers, families, realtors and builders about the environment’s impact on the senses and how to support various sensory needs. To date we have confirmation of four designers participating in the Summit, with an opportunity for a few more experts in dedicated areas.” The Irma Dobkin grant will help allay the costs associated with bringing these speakers to High Point.

Ina Mae Kaplan Historic Preservation Grant ($2,000)
Amy Hetletvedt is a licensed architect, preservationist and educator who has been supporting buildings, the people who love them, and the communities they serve for more than 20 years. She has lived and worked on four continents, collaborating on projects in a variety of scales and settings. Hetletvedt holds degrees from the University of Washington and University of Michigan. She is a former Historic District Commissioner for the City of Detroit and has taught master’s level design studios and architectural ethics. Her writing has appeared in national architecture media and she is the author of a forthcoming book with Island Press. The grant would be applied toward this publication subvention. Bringing a high-quality and essential resource to those working on-the-ground with existing buildings aligns with IFDA’s educational mission.

Tony Torrice Professional Development Grant ($1,500)
Rosa Otero, Assistant Professor at Salem Women’s College in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, is an architect and educator deeply invested in design and construction. She is keen to enhance her skills through Revit training and certification. “This endeavor aligns with my commitment to enriching Salem College's curriculum and empowering students with the latest industry knowledge,” said Otero. With over two decades of experience in teaching, Otero recognizes the importance of staying abreast of technological advancements in the field. Revit, as a leading Building Information Modeling (BIM) software, offers unparalleled capabilities in detailed design 3D visualization, and precise documentation. By mastering Revit, she can deliver cutting-edge instruction to her students, ensuring they are well-equipped for success in the industry.

Valerie Moran Memorial Grant for IFDA members ($3,000)
Georgia Kukoski is a Senior Designer with Closet Factory. She has been designing home organization solutions with Closet Factory for over 13 years. Her work has been featured in R-Home magazine, “Virginia This Morning” and in five Richmond Symphony Orchestra League Designer Houses. Kukoski has been a member of the Closet Factory Presidents Club since 2018. Presidents Club Members achieve over $1 million in sales per year. She has also been #1 in sales in Virginia since 2021 and recognized for achieving top 10 of sales in the USA since 2020.

“Attending the Kitchen and Bath Industry Show (KBIS) would be an opportunity for me to expand my knowledge of the industry,” advised Kukoski. “My involvement with IFDA has exposed me to design trends and industry knowledge through their excellent programming and connection with other IFDA members. As an active member of NARI (National Association of the Remodeling Industry) and now PRO (Professional Remodeling Organization), I have expanded my knowledge of the remodeling process.”

Each year, the Educational Foundation encourages IFDA chapters to apply for five $1000 grants available for IFDA chapters to support their marketing and event programming. For the third year in a row, EF is a sponsor of the Future Designers Summit at Bienenstock Furniture Library in High Point, N.C. from September 11 to 13, 2024, providing tuition for five students to attend the summit.

About IFDA
IFDA Educational Foundation is a non-profit, tax exempt, 501c(3) organization. It’s nine scholarships support both full and part-time undergraduate and graduate students in the areas of interior, green/sustainable, product and textile design. In addition, the grants support professional development opportunities for IFDA members and other design industry professionals as well as needed resources for design schools, and IFDA programs for chapters and members. Visit ifdaef.org or follow us on instagram.com/ifdaef/ and facebook.com/ifda.educational.foundation/.