The newly established Meinders Retail Florist Education Grant Fund will provide financial support for retail florist breeding . set up through contribution from longtime industry members , and AFE supporters Herman and LaDonna Meinders , this raw fund coalesce with the first - ever AFE Named Fund established in 2011 by the couple which now tote up more than $ 500,000 .
When asked about his stay on commitment to the Endowment , Herman Meinders shared : “ As a retiring Chairman of AFE , I can attest to the grandness of the study the Endowment does , and the support it supply for all view of the floral diligence . ”
The new breeding assignment investment trust specifically supports rock-bottom or free registration fee to floral diligence event for retail florist shop by provide grants or scholarships to nonprofit floral industry system for this use . The fund is fully sustainable and is require to grow every year , allowing for increased contribution of of import industry educational political platform . In its first year , it will provide over $ 10,000 in grant funding .
“ Education has always been a priority for me . I assign a bunch of our business organisation winner to our direction on supporting continued education . If the florist shop are n’t able to uprise and ascertain , then the retail segment will not expand , ” total Meinders .
Anniversary“It ’s especially exciting to announce this raw grant programme during AFE ’s 60th Anniversary , ” said AFE Chairman - Elect Ken Young , AAF , owner of Phoenix Flower Shops . “ As we promote ‘ celebrate 60 year of Providing for the Future ’ in our anniversary logotype , this new fund demonstrates the commitment of AFE to put up educational opportunities for retailer . Personally , I have know Herman for over 35 yr and have witness his unwavering support of retail florists which will now continue for next generation of retailers . ”
The costs of journey to issue , registration fees , and time aside from shops preclude many retailers from experiencing valuable networking and indispensable learning from their compeer . This assignment investment firm will make a lasting shock and supply financial help to those who may not otherwise be capable to attend events .
Requests for funding will be reviewed annually , and distributions will lead off in 2022 through an program operation . The Ulysses Grant program will open in January 2022 , and the deadline for compliance is June 1 each twelvemonth . The AFE Education Committee will oversee the process of reviewing applications receive along with key diligence events that qualify to determine the distribution level to fulfill the aim of this retail florist education grant .
Herman Meinders , Past Chairman and longtime jockstrap of AFE , is founder and Chairman Emeritus of American Floral Services , one of the with child floral telegram services that merged with Teleflora in 2000 . Herman and LaDonna have been making personal and corporate contribution to AFE since 1980 and have been instrumental in many philanthropic project and educational institution endowments .
Herman and LaDonna Meinders are founding members of our Legacy Circle , an honorary radical of industry members who have made preparation for a planned gift to AFE through a bequest , a life indemnity policy , a trust , or otherwise .
