The International Furnishings and Design Association’s Educational Foundation announced $15,500 in new grants for industry professionals on Tuesday. IFDA will offer eight grants this year, with applications accepted from June 1-30.
IFDA has set aside funds to support students and professionals in the interior design and furnishings industries since the 1960s. Over the last seven years, the association has awarded more than $200,000 to applicants.
The grants offered this year are:
• Irma Dobkin Universal Design Grant ($2,000), supported by IFDA's District of Columbia chapter, is open to individuals working independently who wish to develop a Universal Design project that meets the living needs of people of all ages and capabilities.
• Ina Mae Kaplan Historic Preservation Grant ($2,000), also supported by the District chapter, is available to furnishings or design professionals engaged in projects that embrace the historic restoration and/or preservation of a significant structure or public building.
• Elizabeth Brown Grant to Interior Design Programs ($1,000), supported by the Texas chapter, will award an accredited interior design program at a university, college, art school or technical institution, the funds to be used for books, periodicals, audio-visual aids, computer software or other essential resources.
• Tony Torrice Professional Development Grant ($1,500), supported by IFDA's Northern California chapter, is earmarked for an interior design or furnishings pro with plans to enhance his or her skills through independent or academic study.
• Valerie Moran Memorial Grant (up to $3,000), supported by the New York chapter, will go to an IFDA professional member with outstanding skills in either design or merchandising who wishes to expand his or her horizons through travel, trade show attendance or professional-development studies.
• Claire Coleman Founders Grant (2 available, at $1,000 each), also supported by the New York chapter, will help IFDA chapters fund a marketing or communications-related event designed to attract and edify new as well as current IFDA members.
• Chapter Partnership Grants (3 available, at $1,000 each) will be awarded to IFDA chapters seeking assistance in funding educational programs that provide significant information on business development, design innovation or industry trends.
• New Chapter Development Grant ($1,000) was established to help newly formed chapters fund educational programs or events designed to enhance the visibility of IFDA locally and also attract new IFDA members.
Grant winners will be announced this summer. For more details, visit www.ifdaef.org.
