Meinders Retail Florist Education Grant Fund

The Meinders Retail Florist Education Grant Fund, established by the American Floral Endowment (AFE), provides financial support specifically for retail florist education. This fund was created through significant contributions from Herman and LaDonna Meinders, both longstanding members and supporters of AFE. Their contributions include the first-ever AFE Named Fund established in 2011, with the combined fund value now exceeding $500,000. AFE is a not-for-profit organization that raises and invests funds to support the floriculture industry through research, education, scholarships, and internships. The purpose of the Meinders Retail Florist Education Grant Fund is to reduce or eliminate registration costs for retail florists attending industry events. Grants or scholarships are provided to nonprofit floral industry organizations to facilitate this. The funding prioritizes programs that serve a broad geographic area and have a far-reaching impact. The program encourages well-developed, multiyear educational projects and discourages requests for loans, religious purposes, capital facilities, equipment, or media projects unless essential to a broader educational initiative. Eligibility is open to any community-based organization operating within the United States that offers programs targeting the floriculture industry. Preference is given to national programs that enhance educational opportunities for young people. Applications are reviewed annually, and grants typically range from $500 to $10,000 per year, although larger amounts may be awarded based on project scope and available funds. Routine operating costs are generally not funded. The application deadline is June 1 each year, with reviews conducted by the AFE Education Committee. The initial award cycle for the fund provided over $10,000 in grant funding. The opening date for applications is not specifically provided, but it is implied applications are accepted leading up to the June 1 deadline. There is an emphasis on ensuring access to valuable educational and networking opportunities, addressing barriers such as travel costs and registration fees that often prevent retailer participation. For inquiries, the American Floral Endowment can be contacted via email at afe@endowment.org or by phone at (703) 838-5211. The physical address is 1001 North Fairfax Street, Suite 201, Alexandria, VA 22314, and the mailing address is 610 Madison Street, Suite 101, PMB 803, Alexandria, VA 22314. No pre-application or Q&A deadlines were specifically mentioned. It is not indicated whether awards are announced on a specific date, nor whether the grant is recurring annually, but the ongoing nature of the fund suggests continued future availability.