NEW BERN, N.C., May 7, 2019 — Applications will be accepted between June 1 and June 30, 2019, for 11 professional grants from the Educational Foundation (EF) of IFDA, the International Furnishings and Design Association. Since the early years of this 72-year-old global design industry alliance, EF has awarded grants to talented professionals as well as scholarships to high-achieving design students, internationally. Last year, the funds awarded totaled more than $32,000.

“We are excited about these professional grants, which meet a variety of objectives, including helping people expand their horizons and enhance their skills and education,” said Merry Mabbett Dean, FIFDA, Chairman of the Board of the Educational Foundation of IFDA. “Our commitment to improving our industry and enhancing public awareness through educational and philanthropic programs never wavers.”

IFDA Educational Foundation Grants are offered to professionals working in the interior design or furnishings related fields, not to undergraduate students. Winners will be notified by July 31 or as noted for that grant. The website has detailed information and applications: ifdaef.org.

The 11 grants are as follows:

Irma Dobkin Universal Design Grant— $2,000
Open to an individual involved in universal design in: product development; a design project; education; or marketing

Ina Mae Kaplan Historic Preservation Grant — $2,000
Open to those involved in restoring or preserving historic sites related to design/furnishings.

Elizabeth Brown Grant to Interior Design Programs — $2,500
Open to an accredited U.S. interior design program, for supplementary materials/resources.

Tony Torrice Professional Development Grant — $1,500
Open to professionals in design/furnishings seeking to enhance skills with advanced study.

Chapter Partnership Grants — $1,000 Each, $3,000 Total
Three grants awarded to IFDA chapters for educational programs (accepted a minimum of 60 days prior to event).

New Chapter Development Grant — $1,000
To aid newly formed chapters in creating an educational program to attract membership.

Claire Coleman Founders Grants — $1,000 Each, $2,000 Total
To help IFDA chapters develop marketing and communications programs, events or projects.

Valerie Moran Memorial Grant — up to $3,000
Awarded to an IFDA professional member interested in expanding their horizons through travel, trade shows and professional development studies.

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, 13 grants support professional development opportunities for IFDA members and other design industry professionals as well as needed resources for design schools. Visit instagram.com/ifdaef/ and facebook.com/ifda.educational.foundation/