IFDA Educational Foundation

Irma Dobkin Universal Design Grant -$2000
Supported by the Washington Chapter

Recognizing the increasing importance of universal design in improving the quality of daily living for all people throughout their life cycle, the IFDA Educational Foundation has established the Irma Dobkin Universal Design Grant, supported by the Washington Chapter in memory of Irma Dobkin, a Fellow in IFDA, chapter leader and past Educational Foundation Chair.

Universal Design is at its best when its concepts are incorporated as an essential part of all good design, including creative, aesthetic, imaginative, functional, and compassionate solutions that respect the human condition throughout a range of abilities, and in a way that encourages interaction among people of all ages and capabilities. The ability to design spaces that can be used by more types of people including adults and children with disabilities, those who are aging, is essential for success in today's marketplace..

This Grant is awarded to an individual working independently and seeking more involvement in the field of universal design in one of the following areas:

Product Development - support in developing a product that provides assistance in performing activities of daily living or support in marketing such a product.

Design Project - support in the design, marketing, or public awareness of a residential or commercial space open to the public, which incorporates universal design concepts and principals. Such projects could include, but not be limited to, show houses, public spaces, schools, or independent group homes.

Education - increasing awareness of universal design through educational avenues. A grant could be awarded to, but not limited to, an individual developing a curriculum, arranging a symposium, establishing a program or department, or writing a textbook/resource guide on the subject.

Marketing - the dissemination of information for greater public/professional awareness and acceptance of the universal design standard as necessary and right for all. Authors, association spokespersons, and others could be award recipients.

Application requirements:

Attach to your completed application, a 300-500 word essay explaining your background, reason for pursuing this grant and in which of the above four categories you are involved. Also include a description of your goals and objectives through independent study, who ultimately, will benefit as well as a timeline and budget showing how grant monies will be used.

Application deadline: June 30th.
View the Irma Dobkin Universal Design Grant Application
IFDAEF Scholarship and Grant award funds shall be for the stated use of the individual or organization applying for the grant or scholarship. IFDAEF funds may not be used to pay for any indirect costs that might be associated with acceptance of such grant or scholarship.

Ina Mae Kaplan Historic Preservation Grant -$1,500
Supported by the IFDA Washington Chapter

Recognizing the increasing importance of preserving our nation's historic treasures and with the support of the Washington Chapter, the IFDA Educational Foundation established the Ina Mae Kaplan Historic Preservation Grant. It is in memory of interior designer, Ina Mae Kaplan, an IFDA Fellow, which indicates her dedicated service to the association, her chapter and the community. This Grant is to be awarded to an individual in the interior furnishings field, a design professional, or an organization involved with historic preservation/ restoration.
Application deadline June 30th. Winner will be notified by July 31st.

Eligible Applicants
The grant applicant must be involved in the interior furnishings industry or a related field and also involved in historic preservation/restoration of a public building or significant structure.
The following are suggested eligible activities and projects for which this Grant may be used:

Obtaining services of consultants with expertise in areas such as architecture, planning, paint, wall covering, and floor covering analysis, archeology, fund raising, media relations, education or graphic design. Include photographs or illustrations of the project, what role you would play and estimated costs, and timeline.

Designing, producing and marketing print and video communications materials.

Sponsoring preservation/restoration conferences and workshops.

Designing and implementing innovative preservation/restoration educational programs

Financing an adaptive reuse project. Include photographs or illustrations of the project, what role you would play and estimated costs, and timeline.

Application Requirements:
Attach to the completed application, a 300-500 word essay explaining your industry accomplishments, your reason for wanting to pursue an independent historic preservation/restoration project, and how you will use the grant funds.

Application Deadline: June 30th

View the Ina Mae Kaplan Historic Preservation Grant Application

IFDAEF Scholarship and Grant award funds shall be for the stated use of the individual or organization applying for the grant or scholarship. IFDAEF funds may not be used to pay for any indirect costs that might be associated with acceptance of such grant or scholarship.

Elizabeth Brown Grant to Interior Design Programs -$1000

The Texas Chapter, IFDA initiated the Elizabeth Brown Grant to Interior Design Programs to honor one of the chapter's and IFDA Educational Foundation's founding members and first President. Her philosophy has always been to encourage education and promote discernment of quality in products and design. IFDA Educational Foundation will award one $1000 grant to an accredited Interior Design Program at a college, university, technical or art school, preferably one within the state of Texas, or available to any qualifying school in the United States. The grant will be paid to the school or department library, to be used for supplementary design program materials, such as books, periodicals, audio visual aids, computer software, or other needed resources. Application deadline June 30th. Winner will be notified by July 31st

Application Requirements:

Must be an interior design program at an accredited college, university, technical or art school.
Submit a two page proposal stating the need, list of items to be purchased, approximate cost, describing reasons for their selection and how they will be used.
One page overview of Interior Design Program, majors, faculty, etc.
Completed grant application form.

Application Deadline: June 30th

View the Elizabeth Brown Grant to Interior Design Programs Application
IFDAEF Scholarship and Grant award funds shall be for the stated use of the individual or organization applying for the grant or scholarship. IFDAEF funds may not be used to pay for any indirect costs that might be associated with acceptance of such grant or scholarship.

Barbara Brock Memorial Grant- $1500
Supported by the Arizona Chapter

The Arizona Chapter provided funding for the IFDA Educational Foundation to establish a grant in memory of Barbara Brock, a former IFDA Fellow, chapter member and President as well as IFDA President and Educational Foundation Chair.

The Grant establishes an annual fund of $1,500.00, to go towards the travel expenses for two IFDA experts to speak at various industry venues, such as; Market Weeks, First Fridays, trade events, educational seminars and home shows. The IFDA Educational Foundation will provide a list of IFDA member speakers with CEU accredited courses, as well as, IFDA member experts who have an educational program to offer.

A group will contact an IFDA member to speak at an event. The IFDA Member will complete the grant application and mail it to the IFDA EF Director of Grants. Applications are accepted throughout the year. The Board Committee will review the application and inform the IFDA member within 30 days.

View the Barbara Brock Memorial Grant Application
View the Barbara Speaker Application

Tony Torrice Professional Development Grant -$1500
Supported by the Northern California Chapter

The IFDA Educational Foundation along with the Northern California Chapter of IFDA established this grant in memory of designer, author, teacher, lecturer, and IFDA Trailblazer, Tony Torrice, IFDA, ASID. The Tony Torrice Professional Development Grant is awarded to a professional working in the interior design or closely related field who wants to advance their professional development and career through independent or academic study. An industry professional qualifying as a recipient of this award may work in, but is not limited to, the areas of design, marketing, education, writing/publishing, retailing, or manufacturing. Application packet accepted each year between June 1 and no later than June 30th. Winner will be notified by July 31.

Application Requirements:

The grant applicant must be a professional working in the interior design or closely related field.
Completed application form
A 300-500 word essay explaining, your reason for wanting to pursue independent or academic study, a budget showing how you will use the grant funds, and why you believe you are deserving of this award.
Resume, including your industry accomplishments

View the Tony Torrice Professional Development Grant Application
IFDAEF Scholarship and Grant award funds shall be for the stated use of the individual or organization applying for the grant or scholarship. IFDAEF funds may not be used to pay for any indirect costs that might be associated with acceptance of such grant or scholarship.

Chapter Partnership Grants -$1000 each

Chapter Partnership Grants were established by the Educational Foundation to support educational programs at the chapter level. Programs that provide important information on business, new developments, innovation and trends in the industry assist IFDA members to be effective in reaching and working with clients. Such programs can also be a catalyst to enhance the visibility of IFDA and attract new members and sponsors. The chapter Partnership Grant can provide chapters with financial support to enable their planning, communication and program options.

The Educational Foundation will award four $1000 grants, totaling $4000 annually.

Two $1,000 grants will be awarded for chapter programs to be held during the first part of the year; January to June.

Two $1,000 grants will be awarded for chapter programs to be held during the second half of the year; July to December.

Guidelines for Chapter Partnership Grants
Grant Amount: $1000

Chapters requesting Chapter Partnership Grants must have a current and active VP of Educational Foundation.

Deadlines for Chapter Partnership Grants occur twice a year. For Chapter programs to be held from January – June, the application deadline is March 15th. For chapter programs to be held from July – December, the application deadline is August 15th.

Chapters which have not received a partnership grant in the past year will be given priority.
Program selections will be based on the following criteria:

Programs that provide visibility to the Chapter and IFDA.
Programs that address issues of concern to the industry, such as business practices, sustainability, new building codes, etc. and programs offering CEUs.
Creative promotion and marketing approaches.

View the Chapter Partnership Grants Application

View the Debriefing Form

New Chapter Development Grant - $1000
Supported by IFDA Educational Foundation

The IFDA Educational Foundation created a grant to assist a newly established chapter. This Grant is designed to help a new chapter present an educational program to benefit current members and attract new members. IFDA chapters have a responsibility to their membership to educate, enhance and promote the furnishing and design industry and the practice of these professions through programs and events. The ÒNew Chapter Development GrantÓ will give the chapter the funds to meet this responsibility.

Guidelines for “New Chapter Development Grant”

Must be an official new IFDA chapter with 15 members.

Chapter Board must consist of the following positions:
- President
- Treasurer
- Secretary
- VP of Membership
- VP of Programs
- VP of Educational Foundation
- (Board members names and information to be included with grant application)
Must have held a minimum of three official board meetings

Grant to be used for Educational Program criteria below:

Program to provide visibility for the new Chapter, IFDA and IFDA Educational Foundation.
Program could be workshop, seminar, panel discussion or speaker but needs to be educational in scope. Subjects should pertain to issues of today in the home furnishings industry, such as business practices, universal design, sustainability, design resources in the area, new building codes, etc.
Promotion and marketing should be directed at reaching potential members in the design community as well as the current inactive IFDA members

Invitation should include the following: “This program is funded with the help of a grant from IFDA Educational Foundation”

View the New Chapter Development Grant
IFDAEF Scholarship and Grant award funds shall be for the stated use of the individual or organization applying for the grant or scholarship. IFDAEF funds may not be used to pay for any indirect costs that might be associated with acceptance of such grant or scholarship.

Schoenthal IFDA Leadership Forum
This grant named in honor of a longtime dedicated member, Harriet Schoenthal, an IFDA Fellow and 2007 recipient of the prestigious IFDA National Honorary Recognition Award, provides training for future leaders of IFDA and the design/furnishings industry. It is offered by invitation only to a select group of IFDA members. This valuable interactive program led by a noted professional team, provides attendees with the tools to more effectively communicate and strengthen his/her skills and influence as a leader. The daylong leadership-building program coincides with the annual IFDA Industry Forum and Conference.

Questions? Contact :

Merry Mabbett Dean
Director of Grants
email: merrymabbettinc@comcast.net.