American Institute of Floral Designers Foundation, Inc.
With a new initiative of collective giving and increased awareness of a long established possibility the AIFD Foundation announces the 2019 Capital Campaign giving purpose to the 40th Anniversary of the AIFD Foundation that will extend far past the year-long celebration.
A Lifetime of Learning Fund
The AIFD Foundation has established A Lifetime of Learning Fund to provide a kaleidoscope of opportunity for future growth and shared initiatives.
Collectively, no matter what segment of the industry we find our success, in some way our efforts lead to the end result of placing flowers in the minds and hands of the consumer. Just as a kaleidoscope changes patterns from a collection of elements to reflect overall beauty, all segments of the industry, unified in purpose, can provide what is needed to establish A Lifetime of Learning.
Providing educational support through continuing instruction and inspirational experiences will elevate the level of floral knowledge to assist in securing an industry.
Establish an Individual or Corporate Named Fund
For an individual or corporate entity wishing to commit $30,000 over five years the Named Fund process is in place enabling the fund name and fund purpose to be designated by the donor.
For complete information contact the AIFD Foundation at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
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RICHARD SEABOLDT AIFD“His inspiration often came through as generosity, thoughtfulness and humor. A man full of shenanigans, he was always the first to laugh at himself! It didn’t matter whether you were a young designer or a wealthy client, he knew exactly how to excite you with design.” —Karyn Brooke AIFD |
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FRANKIE SHELTON AIFD“Frankie has been a strong inspiration in both my personal and professional life with her passionate enthusiasm, motivation, encouragement, knowledge and determination for success.” —Tony Huffman AIFD |
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PHIL RULLODA AIFD“An award winner surpassing all others, he is revered as a true genius of the human spirit. He can turn a palm frond into a treasured sculpture. In turn, he can mold a student into a dedicated designer. His design style, philosophy of life and compassion for his art make him the finest creative wonder of our time. ” —Rocky Pollitz AIFD |
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MATT WOOD AIFD“Inspired by the seasons, Matt Wood had an incredible sense of color and texture. His ability to breathe life into his creations is unparalleled. To see Permanent Botanicals as another way to express a love of the flora and fauna that surrounds us was his mission. To see Permanent Botanicals as an expression of the beauty of flora and fauna was his mission. Matt was more than a gifted floral designer; he was the personification of a true artist.” —Holly Money-Collins AIFD |
AIFD Members Joined Together
to Achieve these Accomplishments
- The United States continues to experience catastrophic events. With the support of industry and individuals the AIFD Foundation Board of Trustees established the AIFD Foundation Catastrophic Fund in an effort to assist those in need.
- AIFD Foundation announced a rare opportunity to learn from the absolute best in the floral industry and gleam expertise in a specific field of study to S.H.I.N.E. Scholarships Helping Nurture Inspiring Education will provide continued education through a mentorship in a specialized field of industry concentration. The application is available in 2019 to be awarded in 2020. Two of the floral industry’s brightest stars will forever shine as each is remembered not only for her boundless talents, but for the gift of inspired mentoring to others. The Michi Burrell AIFD Endowed Fund and the Bobbi Ecker Blatchford AIFD Endowed Fund will provide funding for this new opportunity made available through the AIFD Foundation.
- Chris Yeager endowed the Dee Yeager AIFD Endowed Fund in loving memory of his wife. This fund will provide education to the floral industry through the AIFD experience.
- Ken Senter AIFD chaired the Jim Johnson Cup Competition in Houston, Texas. This platform provided a place where friends gathered to establish and a year later endow the Jim Johnson AIFD Endowed Fund.
- The success of Ron Mulray’s 2018 Art for a Cause Event established the SAIFD Fund and provided immediate funding, together with the expanded purpose of the Allen Shackelford AIFD Endowed Fund, to provide fifty-three AIFD Hands-on Workshops during the 2019 AIFD National Symposium.
- Lifelong friends established the Matt Wood AIFD Fund. With a collaborative effort this fund will be endowed through contributions in memory of Matt Wood from family, industry companies and AIFD friends.
- The AIFD Foundation continues to receive donations to endow funds to honor Phil Rulloda AIFD, Richard Seaboldt AIFD, Frankie Shelton AIFD and Joe Smith AIFD.
- Over $69,500 was awarded in Grants and Scholarships in 2019 with funding generated from the endowed funds of the AIFD Foundation and designated funding from industry and individuals.
- The AIFD Foundation Grant to AIFD, in support of the 2019 AIFD Symposium educational programming, provided recognition Main Stage during Awaken to
Lana Chernyavsky’s Winter Fantasia. - World Class Hands-on Design Experience Awaken the Possibilities within You provided an opportunity to study with Legendary Instructor Gregor Lersch.
- World Class Hands-on Design Instruction Awaken the Visionary within You provided the opportunity to study with FTD World Cup 2019 First Runner-up Natalia Zhizhko.
- Sixteen FFA students and four instructors attended the 2019 AIFD Symposium funded by the FFA Fund.
- Net proceeds to benefit the AIFD Foundation were made possible through the support of several days of events to include the Silent Auction, Live Auctions and the
Pop-up Store. - Certified Floral Designers showcased their style during the fundraising event
The Empty Vase to benefit SAIFD students and the SAIFD Fund. - Auctioning of Chicago experiences took main stage during the Live Auction to enjoy Chicago 2020!
- Awaken to launch the AIFD Foundation’s 40th Anniversary! Let the Celebration Begin!
GRANT IN THE AMOUNT OF $20,000
- Awarded to AIFD to Awaken to the best in Educational Programming during the
2019 AIFD National Symposium - Symposium Main Stage Underwriter of Lana Chernyavsky’s Winter Fantasia
- World Class Hands-on Design Experience Awaken the Possibilities within You with Legendary Instructor Gregor Lersch
- World Class Hands-on Design Instruction Awaken the Visionary within You with FTD World Cup 2019 First Runner-up Natalia Zhizhko
- Funded by AIFD Foundation Endowed Fund, James Moretz AIFD Endowed Fund, Kirk Pamper AIFD Endowed Fund, Teleflora Giving and Chong Ullom AIFD Endowed Fund
GRANT IN THE AMOUNT OF $10,000
- Awarded to AIFD to Engage, Enlighten, Educate and Cultivate FFA Students during the 2019 AIFD National Symposium
- Funded by Don Stothart AIFD Endowed Fund and designated funding from industry and individuals
GRANT IN THE AMOUNT OF $2,625
- Awarded to Florida State Florists’ Association to underwrite three 2019 FSFA Convention Hands-on Workshops
- Funded by Florida Florist Endowed Fund
CFD SCHOLARSHIP IN THE AMOUNT OF UP TO $1,000
- Awarded to Tom Powell AIFD Endowed Fund Recipient Amanda Elliott
- Class Registration underwritten by Southern California School of Floral Design
PFDE SCHOLARSHIP IN THE AMOUNT OF UP TO $3,000
- Awarded to the 2019 Overall Student Competition Winner
- Funded by Allen Shackelford AIFD Endowed Fund, Don Stothart AIFD Endowed Fund and James Moretz AIFD Endowed Fund
AWARDED UP TO SIXTY SAIFD SCHOLARSHIPS FOR A TOTAL OF UP TO $4140
- Awarded up to sixty SAIFD Scholarships to SAIFD students to attend AIFD Hands-on Workshops during the 2019 AIFD Symposium
- Funded by SAIFD designated funding with support from the Allen Shackelford AIFD Endowed Fund
FOUR STUDENT SCHOLARSHIPS IN THE AMOUNT OF $3,000 FOR A TOTAL OF $12,000
- Awarded to Allen Shackelford Recipients: Amber Buzzard, Karis Holm, Alyssa Snow and Xuan Jade Wu
SEVEN SYMPOSIUM SCHOLARSHIPS IN THE AMOUNT OF UP TO $2,000 FOR A TOTAL OF $14,000
- Awarded to Eulalah Overmeyer AIFD Endowed Fund Recipient Jonas De Vestel
- Awarded to Kirk Pamper AIFD Endowed Fund and Allen Shackelford AIFD Endowed Fund Recipient Karis Holm
- Awarded to Northwest Regional Chapter Endowed Fund and Rocky Pollitz AIFD Endowed Fund Recipient Coree Ryan
- Awarded to Eulalah Overmeyer AIFD Endowed Fund and Jim Treadaway AIFD Endowed Fund Recipient Ashley Timmons
- Awarded to North East Regional Chapter Endowed Fund and Rocky Pollitz AIFD Endowed Fund Recipient Janet Vibbert
- Awarded to Southern Regional Chapter Endowed Fund and Florida Florist Endowed Fund Recipient Dana Williams
- Awarded to South Central Regional Chapter Endowed Fund and Eulalah Overmeyer AIFD Endowed Fund Recipient Joann Young
NORTHWEST STUDENT SYMPOSIUM SCHOLARSHIP
- Awarded to Northwest Student Symposium Scholarship Recipient Allison Fong.
