The Foundation, organized in 1970 as the National Home Furnishings League Educational Foundation, aimed to provide a vehicle for the educational and philanthropic activities of those engaged in home fashions and related fields. The Foundation's first president, Elizabeth Brown, French Brown Floors, Dallas, Texas, remains an active and contributing member to the association and foundation. Grant Simmons, Simmons Corporation, served as the initial Chairman of the Board and the foundation's link to industry.

Today the IFDA Educational Foundation is the philanthropic arm of IFDA dedicated to the support and service of the home furnishings and interior design community. The Educational Foundation, a non-profit, tax-exempt, 501(c)3 Agency, raises and distributes funds in the form of grants and scholarships to foster educational activities benefiting individuals and/or institutions in this industry.

Administered by a five-member Board of Trustees IFDA-EF has achieved a reputation for supporting the development of industry professionals through sponsorship of educational programs, aid to IFDA Chapters through Chapter Partnership Grants, and financial participation and support of design-industry related projects of museums, libraries, and historical landmarks.

Projects and Accomplishments

Some of the early projects of the Foundation included the national Student Design Fellowship Competition. Competition projects included textiles, furniture, window treatments and flooring with sponsorship by major corporations. Generous grants were awarded to winning students and their respective schools. The Foundation continues to provide strong support of students through a scholarship program.

In recent years, the Foundation has developed a reputation for support of the professional development of the industry. It has done this through support of educational programs held at industry markets, such as the International Home Furnishings Market in High Point, N.C.; WestWeek in Los Angeles; and NEOCON in Chicago. Of more recent vintage is the Educational Foundation's support of Save American's Treasures. Assistance has been given to restoration projects such as the Sewell Belmont House, Washington, DC, Val Kil, home of Eleanor Roosevelt, New York and Celles Tomb, New Orleans, LA. It also supports Partnership Grants with IFDA chapters to foster increased educational programming. Named grants aimed at professional development, such as the Ina Mae Kaplan Historic Preservation Grant, have continued to expand the important role of the IFDA Educational Foundation in recent years.

The Foundation's participation in special projects with museums and libraries, such as the Textile Museum in Washington, DC; the Furniture Discovery Center in High Point, N.C.; and the Nassau Community College Universal Design Library in Long Island, N.Y., Save America's Historic Treasures with grants to the Sewell Belmont House and the Eleanor Roosevelt House, demonstrates a growing area of program commitment. Educational Foundation has also awarded $12,000 to the Association for its new Professional Enhancement Program to ensure quality professional programming for chapters regardless of size.

Income Sources and Fundraising

The Foundation is strongly aligned with the Association membership and annually, a portion of each member's dues is designated as a contribution to EF. Chapters play a key role in the Foundation fundraising efforts through budget line item donations, memorials, and special events supporting the Foundation. Several members have left bequests to the Foundation, which have been used to create special-use grant funds.

Since 1996, local chapters such as Northern California, Georgia, Washington, DC, and the Carolinas have started grants in honor of members who have made substantial contributions to the industry. Several individual and local chapters have given one-time grants to students, in recognition of respected colleagues such as Save America's Treasures.

The Foundation seeks to achieve quality program support through development of gifts from IFDA members, IFDA chapters, and corporate donors. Gifts of cash, appreciated assets, estate gifts, and deferred gifts are also acceptable methods of support.

How to Support IFDA-EF

Contributions may be made to IFDA-EF through personal or memorial donations or by will to foster and continue the work of the Foundation. Tax-deductible contributions are accepted throughout the year as well as with annual dues renewals. An IFDA member is automatically a member of the Educational Foundation. Click Here to View our Pledge Card.