IFDA EF 2024 Professional Grant Winners

LEWISVILLE, N.C., May 6, 2025 — Applications will be accepted between June 1 and June 30, 2025, for five professional grants from the Educational Foundation (EF) of IFDA, the International Furnishings and Design Association. Since 1968, this 78-year-old global design industry alliance 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 totaled more than $30,000.

“These professional grants present a great opportunity to expand horizons, enhance skills and education and even jump-start careers,” said Karen Dzendolet, Chairman of the Board of the Educational Foundation of IFDA. “Apply if you are interested. Don’t let this important opportunity go to waste.”

IFDA Educational Foundation Grants are offered to professionals working in the interior design or furnishings related fields, as well as design educators and design programs, not to under-graduate students. Winners will be notified by August 31 or as noted for that grant. The web-site has detailed information and applications: ifdaef.org.

The five grants to be applied for starting June 1, 2025, are as follows:

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

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:

Barbara Brock Memorial Grant – $750 each, $1500 total
Funds will go towards travel expenses for two IFDA experts to speak at various industry venues.

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).

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).

Schoenthal IFDA Leadership Forum
Provides Educational Tools for IFDA Members, Such as Webinars and Leadership Training Programs

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

Chapter Student Member Event Grant —$200 Each, $1,000 Total
Encourages chapter interaction with IFDA Student members

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 Earline Feldman, Director of Scholarships & Grants, ef.ifda@tapestries.org.