Industry Partners Support IFDA/EF "Walk For Design Education"

Furniture World Magazine

International Furnishings & Design Association Chapters from Southern California to New England are joining the IFDA Educational Foundation “Walk for Design Education” this spring to raise funds for IFDA/ EF student scholarships and industry grants. Chapters will be staging a variety of innovative Walks in their communities, from touring design centers to hiking trails and strolling gardens. Supported by an impressive roster of National Walk Partners, hundreds of IFDA members, industry friends, business associates, students and teachers are expected to participate in the Walk, which is a first for the design and furnishings industry. National Partners of the IFDA/ EF “Walk for Design Education” are: 3M at the Champion level, Benjamin Moore and Hunter Douglas, Booster level; and EJ Victor, Market Square/Merchandise Mart Properties, and Technology Ventures, Incorporated, at the Banner level. Foundation Board Chairman, Bonnie L. Peterson, FIFDA, expressed appreciation for “the interest and support of these Walk Partners who believe in our cause--helping those who are the future of our industry.” Financial support is needed now more than ever before because of the down economy, Peterson said. A significantly higher number of applicants for this year’s scholarships and grants is anticipated. Also serving on the IFDA Educational Foundation Board this year are: Vice Chair/Treasurer, Jeanne Matlock, FIFDA; Director of Grants/Scholarships, Earline Clark Feldman; Director of Communications, Rose B. Gilbert, FIFDA; and Director of Resources, Dr. Wilma Hammett, FIFDA. Honorary Trustees are: Harriet Schoenthal, FIFDA; Sarah Jenkins, FIFDA; Raymond Waites; and Elizabeth Brown, FIFDA. Financial Committee Chair is Shirley Ebert. The “Walk for Design Education” is a major IFDA/ EF project designed to build scholarship and grant funds to endowment levels and increase award amounts. IFDA/EF offers more scholarships and grants than other association in the industry. IFDA/EF Scholarships available include: the Green/Sustainable Scholarship; Ruth Clark Furniture Design Scholarship; Part Time Student Scholarship; Vercille Voss Graduate Student Scholarship; Marketing Internship Scholarship; IFDA Student Member Scholarship; and IFDA Leaders Commemorative Scholarship. The scholarship application deadline is March 31. IFDA/EF Grants include; the Irma Dobkin Universal Design Grant; Ina Mae Kaplan Historic Preservation Grant; Tony Torrice Professional Development Grant; Barbara Brock Memorial Grant; and Elizabeth Brown Grant to Interior Design Programs. The Grant application deadline is June 30. For further information on IFDA/EF scholarships and grants, go to ifdaef.org. For information on how to register and/or donate to the “Walk for Design Education,” go to ifdaef.org/designwalk. All donations are tax deductible because the IFDA Educational Foundation is a non profit 501(c) 3 organization.