American Institute of Floral Designers Foundation, Inc.
David A. Shover AIFD 2019-2020 AIFD National President Elect and AIFD member since 1989 was an award winning designer, educator, leader, mentor and friend to so many. His dedication to the AIFD National Association, Southern Chapter and AIFD Foundation expands into pages, not paragraphs.
As a designer – one of the best
As a teacher – thorough and encouraging
As a leader – easy to follow
As a mentor – inspiring to the end
As a friend – missed every day
David’s belief in looking at each day as a gift was reinforced with how easily he shared his broad smile and roaring laugh. His design knowledge and love of the industry will live on in those who had the good fortune to know him and share the short moment in time he gave to each of us.
The AIFD Foundation was established in 1979 as an independent, non-profit, 501c3 organization with endowed funds providing scholarships to floral design students and aspiring floral designers. Education that impacts the future success of floral design is supported through grants from the AIFD Foundation. The funds, established within the AIFD Foundation, are permanently restricted. The principal is protected with only the interest and dividends awarded, ensuring that those honored will forever be remembered.
To Donate by Check:
Mail a check, payable to the AIFD Foundation, with the notation of David Shover AIFD Fund to
AIFD Foundation
PO Box 859
Leander, TX 78646
Please join the AIFD Foundation in Nashville when the Nashville Lawn and Garden Foundation dedicates the Joe Smith Floral Design Gallery.
Thursday, February 27, 2020
5:00 pm - 7:00 pm
The Fairgrounds Nashville Expo Center
500 Wedgewood Avenue
Nashville, Tennessee
The Nashville Lawn and Garden Foundation recognizes Joe Smith AIFD, a man of unparalleled creativity, extraordinary talent, deep Southern charm and an abiding devotion to family and friends, as one who shared his incredible talent through the beauty of flowers.
His floral career began in Nashville and spanned more than fifty years. He left an irreplaceable mark on this community through his inspired designs at nearly every major charitable event, and at numerous significant Nash-ville music venues. His work was unmistakable. His understanding and in-tuition, regarding the future trends in the floral industry, were considered visionary. He was recognized nationally and internationally as a designer of note. Countless people, whose industries intersected with his, recog-nized him as their mentor and felt that their success was directly resultant from their association with him. He had the unique ability to relate to every person he met. He excelled in knowing how to do things just right. "Just make it pretty" was his consult when designers looked to him about developing their style.
Additionally, the Nashville Lawn and Garden Foundation has generously contributed to endow the Joe Smith AIFD Fund. The AIFD Foundation is most grateful for this and being included in the dedication of the Joe Smith Floral Design Gallery.
World Class Design Experience
offered during the 2020 AIFD Symposium
An opportunity to study Hands-on with 2019 FTD World Cup Champion Bart Hassam
Net proceeds to benefit the AIFD® Foundation
Tuesday, July 7, 2020
8:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Chicago Hilton
Chicago
This World Class Design Experience will illustrate a variety of styles showcasing the flowers that each attendee will work with hands-on, with emphasis on:
• Working away from the container
• Working with line, form, transparency and scale
• Working with several contemporary floral design techniques
This World Class Design Experience with Bart Hassam is an Optional Registration.
An additional tuition of $349.00 by May 15 and $399.00 after May 15 is required.
To register for the event please visit aifd.org and review the AIFD® Registration Form included in the AIFD Symposium information.
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..
 |
JIM RAUCH AIFD“Jim will always be remembered for his kind loving soul, his smile, laugh, hugs and his sincere caring nature. A dedicated AIFD member, serving AIFD on the National Membership Committee and a valued leader in the North Central Chapter, representing the Chapter on the AIFD National Board, Jim thought of us as family.” —Carolyn Kurek AIFD and Pete Samek AIFD |
 |
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 |
 |
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 |
 |
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 |
 |
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!
