PHILANTHROPIC AND EDUCATIONAL

The International Furnishings and Design Association Education Foundation, (IFDA/EF) is the philanthropic and educational entity of the organization and every IFDA member also belongs to the Foundation.

The purpose of IFDA/EF is to encourage the development of educational programs and worthwhile projects that enhance the quality of life for individuals and the public at large while providing support for students entering and re-entering various professions in the field as well as opportunities for continuing education to support design professionals.

IFDA Chapters play a major funding role through yearly donations, memorials and special events supporting EF. The IFDA/EF scholarship roster includes: the Green/Sustainable Scholarship supported by the N.E. Chapter; Part Time Student Scholarship; Vercille Voss Graduate Student Scholarship; Barbara Beckmann Textile Design Scholarship; IFDA Philadelphia Scholarship, supported by the Philadelphia Chapter; Window Fashion Certified Professionals Fast Track Scholarship, supported by McNamara; IFDA Student Member Scholarship; IFDA Leaders Commemorative Scholarship, and Ruth Clark Furniture Design Scholarship, supported by the Carolinas Chapter.

IFDA/EF grants for professionals include: Valerie Moran Memorial Grant, supported by the NY Chapter, the Tony Torrice Professional Development Grant, Elizabeth Brown Grant for Interior Design Programs; Ina Mae Kaplan Historic Preservation Grant and the Irma Dobkin Universal Design Grant, both supported by the Washington Chapter.  Grants for IFDA Chapters are: Chapter Partnership, Claire Coleman Founders, supported by the NY Chapter and New IFDA Chapter Development.

Our newest scholarship/grant is in memory of the industry icon, Raymond Waites, who passed recently.  Donations for this new fund ACCEPTED HERE.

The Barbara Brock Memorial Grant & the Schoenthal IFDA Leadership Forum monies are made available to develop high caliber industry programs.  The foundation produced three very successful DesignEDGE summits, supported by these grants in 2017 through 2019.

The DesignEDGE Summits brought IFDA much needed design industry exposure through publicity on social media platforms.  Not only did these programs bring members and non-members together in educational settings, but in addition, IFDA was recognized as a major presence at three Design Industry events; in NYC – at the International Contemporary Furniture Fair in 2017; in 2018 at the Las Vegas Summer Furniture Market and in October 2019 at High Point Market.

The Educational Foundation is dedicated to and continues to evaluate new ways to educate, support and serve the home furnishings and design communities. The IFDA Educational Foundation is a non-profit, tax-exempt 501(C) 3 organization, raising and distributing funds to foster educational activities as well as related charitable endeavors. Administered by a five member Board of Trustees, EF’s primary funding sources include a portion of IFDA member dues as well as donations from chapters, individual members, industry and corporate friends.

Go to www.ifdaef.org for scholarship and grant details; to read the foundation’s newsletter- NewsNet and to make on-line donations.