NEW BERN, N.C., May 10, 2020 — Applications will be accepted between June 1 and June 30, 2020, for five professional grants from the Educational Foundation (EF) of IFDA, the International Furnishings and Design Association. Since the early years of this 73-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 for scholarships and grants, which included support for IFDA EF’s DesignEDGE seminar series, totaled $37,000.

“These professional grants meet a variety of important objectives, including helping people expand their horizons and enhance their skills and education,” said Gail Belz, 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 five grants, to be applied for starting June 1, 2020, are as follows:

Irma Dobkin Universal Design Grant — $2,000
Open to an individual involved in a Universal Design project to meet living needs of all ages and capabilities.

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.

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.
Grants Available for IFDA Chapters - can be applied for throughout the year, at least 30 days prior to the event:

Chapter Partnership Grants — $1,000 Each, $3,000 Total
Three grants available to IFDA chapters for educational programs (accepted a minimum of 30 days prior to event). Given our changed circumstances due to COVID-19 this grant program will support educational event programming provided as an online webinar where there are expenses; in addition these online programs should be promoted beyond the local chapter receiving the grant funding; that is, promoted to and made available for all IFDA members.

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

Two grants available to IFDA chapters for marketing or communications programs (accepted a minimum of 30 days prior to event). Given our changed circumstances due to COVID-19 this grant program will support marketing or communications event programming provided as an online webinar where there are expenses; in addition these online programs should be promoted beyond the local chapter receiving the grant funding; that is, promoted to and made available for all IFDA members.

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

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 instagram.com/ifdaef/ and facebook.com/ifda.educational.foundation/. For specific information about the grants, visit ifdaef.org or email Joyce Poynton, FIFDA, Director of Scholarships & Grants, at jmpoy702@gmail.com.

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