Named Funds

AFE_logo_small_green_2011 copy 2 copy Through the American Floral Endowment, industry members are able to establish a Named Fund. Establishing a Named Fund is a great way to show your support of the floral industry and leave a lasting tribute to the industry for years to come. AFE is grateful to all those who have created funds through the Endowment.

NEW 2021 Named Funds

Meinders Retail Florist Education Grant Fund

Contributions to any Named Fund can be made by clicking the donate button below and entering the fund in the “description” box.

AFE Named Funds are classified as follows:

Undesignated – funds are not designated for a particular project or effort.
Designated – funds for a scholarship, research effort or grant.

Both types of Named Funds help AFE support research, scholarships and educational efforts to further promote the industry. If you are interested in creating a new Named Fund through the Endowment, please contact AFE Executive Director Debi Chedester at (703) 838-5211.

Undesignated Named Funds

A gift of $25,000 or more can establish an Undesignated Named Fund, a very flexible gift that allows the income to be used where it is needed most at any given time. Donors enter into an agreement that memorializes the gift and acknowledges that this is an undesignated fund. Sometimes wonderful opportunities present themselves unexpectedly and undesignated funds enable AFE to be agile and respond quickly. Current AFE Undesignated Named Funds (scroll down or click on each name to learn more about each Fund):

Teleflora Fund – $1 million
FTD Fund – $450,000
Ball Horticultural Company Fund – $325,000
Ecke Family Fund – $275,000
Smithers-Oasis Fund – $250,000
Yoshimi and Grace Shibata Family Fund – $200,000
Hortica Insurance Fund – $125,000
The Pennock Company Fund – $125,000
Egon and Laina Molbak Fund, $100,000
Mellano & Company Fund – $100,000
Olive Hill Greenhouses Fund – $75,000
The Tom Butler Family Fund – $50,000
The Peter Ullrich/Esmeralda Farms Fund – $35,000
Scotts Miracle-Gro Fund – $35,000
Sunlet Nursery, Inc. Fund – $25,000

Teleflora Fund, established in 2012 with a $1 million pledge

Teleflora and owners Stewart and Lynda Resnick made a $1 million pledge to AFE that was presented at the AFE Annual Fundraising Dinner in 2012. This fund is the largest in AFE’s history and provides assistance for the industry’s most critical needs.

About Teleflora

Stewart and Lynda Resnick acquired Teleflora in 1979, and Teleflora has been supporting the Endowment with yearly contributions ever since. Headquartered in Los Angeles, Teleflora is a clearinghouse for transmitting and processing floral orders to customers throughout the U.S. and internationally. Teleflora was formerly known as Telegraph Delivery Service and was founded in 1934 by Edwin S. Douglas. Privately owned since 1979 by Lynda and Stewart Resnick, the company has 3,000 employees worldwide in 20 countries. With approximately 19,000 member florists throughout the U.S. and Canada, it is the largest privately held floral wire service company in the world.

FTD Fund, established in 2013 with a $450,000 pledge

The second-largest fund in AFE’s history, the FTD Fund goes a long way in supporting the industry when it needs it most. Tom Moeller, Executive Vice President of FTD, Inc., was recognized at the 2013 Annual Fundraising Dinner for FTD’s generous contribution to AFE. About FTD One of the largest floral companies in the world, FTD supports their floral network through an innovative spirit, comprehensive education and a commitment to raising the awareness of giving flowers. For more than 100 years, FTD has stood for trust, creativity and worldwide floral delivery. FTD was founded in 1910 in Downers Grove, Ill. as the world’s first flowers-by-wire service, and was originally named “Florists’ Telegraph Delivery.” Five years later, the company began international transactions and the name soon changed to “Florists Transworld Delivery” as a result. In 1914, FTD adopted the Mercury figure as its logo, which has became well known in the industry as the FTD symbol. Over the past century, FTD has grown to have a network of approximately 45,000 florists in 154 countries, including some 16,000 retail florists in North America who can deliver products to nearly 100 percent of the U.S. population.

Ball Horticultural Company Fund, established in 2015 with a $325,000 pledge

Ball Horticultural Company is an internationally renowned breeder, producer and wholesale distributor of ornamental plants. A family-owned business since it was founded in 1905, Ball has introduced many innovative, award-winning varieties to the world of horticulture, including the Wave® petunia family and Super Elfin® impatiens. Ball is committed to sustainable practices and has highlighted its green accomplishments in its “Sustainability Report.” The company has worldwide production, sales and marketing through its many subsidiaries on six continents.

Ecke Family Fund, established in 2013 with a $275,000 pledge

The Ecke Family has been a longtime supporter of AFE and is a strong believer in developing the floral industry. Paul Ecke III was recognized at the 2013 Endowment fundraising dinner as a representative for the family. About the Ecke Family Ecke is an iconic industry name, and for generations the Ecke family has participated in and supported AFE activities and helped advance the floral industry. The Ecke name is synonymous with the modern day poinsettia, as three generations of Ecke’s developed and promoted poinsettias worldwide. Since 1976, the Ecke family has contributed more than $300,000 to AFE and continues to support the Paul Ecke Jr. Scholarship Fund. Ecke Ranch promises “to provide the beauty and color of flowering plants through quality, innovative horticultural products.”

Smithers-Oasis Fund, established in 2015 with a $250,000 pledge

The Smithers-Oasis Fund has been established to promote the floriculture industry by providing support to AFE through unrestricted funds. About Smithers-Oasis Smithers-Oasis is a leading global manufacturer and marketer of products for the floriculture industry, sold under the company’s three brands: Oasis Floral Products, Floralife Postharvest Products, and Oasis Grower Solutions. The company provides solution-based products and services to the industry from propagation to home through growing media for the greenhouse grower; postharvest care and handling of cut flowers and potted plants; and floral foam products, wedding accessories, adhesives, tapes, decorative wires, and other specialty products for floral designers. Smithers-Oasis is dedicated to advancing the art and science of floriculture worldwide and is committed to having a positive impact on its employees, customers, communities, and the floriculture industry.

Yoshimi and Grace Shibata Family Fund, established in 2016

The Yoshimi and Grace Shibata Family Fund was established to honor the late flower grower and wholesale florist Yoshimi “Shimi” Shibata and his wife Grace. Founded by a generous contribution from the Shibata family, this named fund honors the lifetime legacy of Shimi and Grace and their accomplishments in the floral industry. About Yoshimi and Grace Shibata Shimi was a past president of the Mt. Eden Floral Company based in San Jose, Calif. The renowned floral industry leader led the company for more than 55 years. Other related companies owned and operated by Shimi are GM Floral Co and the California–Florida Plant Co, which was a joint venture with Sumitomo Corporation of Japan. Shimi had many leadership roles throughout the industry. To name a few, he served on the AFE Board of Trustees, as well as on the boards and executive committees of the Society of American Florists (SAF), Wholesale Florist and Florist Suppliers Association (WF&FSA), Roses Inc. and the California State Floral Association. He was elected president of WF&FSA in 1972, and in 1976 he was inducted into SAF’s Hall of Fame. In 2015, the California Association of Flower Growers and Shippers (CalFlowers) awarded him with the 2015 Distinguished Service Award, recognizing his leadership, strategic thinking and contributions to the floral industry in California. Shimi married Grace in 1947 and they had three children — Naomi, Robert and Michael. Shimi passed away on Oct. 31, 2015. He was 100 years old. Click here for a video documenting Yoshimi Shibata’s floral industry accomplishments and family life. A second video was created in 2016 about Shini and Grace and why the family established the Yoshimi and Grace Shibata Fund.

Hortica Insurance Fund, established in 2015 with a $125,000 pledge

Founded in 1887 by the Society of American Florists (SAF), Hortica Insurance & Employee Benefits is a mutual company dedicated solely to the floral and horticultural industry. It is a proven partner for the industry, providing insurance and employee benefit solutions. Hortica is proud to support the educational and research initiatives of AFE. Hortica has been an active supporter of AFE since its inception. Prior to AFE and SAF joining resources, AFE relocated its offices to Hortica’s headquarters in Edwardsville, Illinois. Hortica managed AFE’s administrative functions for four years during a period of AFE’s restructuring and growth.

The Pennock Company Fund, established in 2014 with a $125,000 pledge

The Pennock Company was founded in 1882 and is a premier wholesaler serving the Eastern Seaboard with a full selection of cut flowers, floral containers and supplies and specialty items. Today, the Pennock Company continues to grow, with more than 200 associates in eight locations. Pennock sells exclusively to retail florists and outlets and has been a proud AFE supporter since the mid-1970s.

Tagawa Family Fund, established in 2016 with a $105,000 pledge

tagawa The Tagawa family started in 1967 with Frank Tagawa and his five sons producing vegetable transplants for their truck farming operations. Today, the family has three main companies – Tagawa Greenhouses, Tagawa Gardens and Ball Tagawa Growers. The Tagawa family recognizes the importance of giving back to the industry and staying involved.

Egon and Laina Molbak Fund, established in 2017 with a $100,000 pledge

Egon Molbak was born in Denmark and was educated in the greenhouse/floral industry. He graduated from Odense Technical School in 1945. He was chosen in 1948, through the Scandinavian American Foundation, to spend a year in the U.S. to further his knowledge in the floral industry.

After returning home in 1949, Egon enthusiastically persuaded his then-fiancé Laina to move to the U.S. with him. They got married in 1950 and had their honeymoon in the U.S., where they eventually settled down and started their own business.

In 1956, the Molbaks purchased five small, glass greenhouses in a rural area outside Seattle. The greenhouses were initially used for carnations and chrysanthemums, but they soon switched from cut flowers to potted plants, specifically mums and bedding plants.

Laina started the retail business that is now known as Molbak’s Garden + Home, a premier indoor and outdoor center in Woodinville, Washington.

It is now owned by the couple’s son Jens and attracts more than one million visitors each year. It is known for its relaxing cafe and wide selection of plants and gifts, and is a host employer for AFE’s Vic & Margaret Ball Intern Scholarship Program.

Blackmore Family Fund, established in 2016 with a $100,000 pledge

Blackmore Company is a producer and distributor of horticulture supplies and equipment. Founded by Fred Blackmore Sr. in 1966 and currently managed by his son Skip and his grandson Scott, they have been able to celebrate 50 years in business due to the support of their loyal customers and the help of their dedicated employees – several of which have worked for the company for over 30 years.

Mellano & Company Fund, established in 2013 with a $100,000 pledge

Mellano & Company has been a supporter of AFE dating back to 1978. Mike Mellano, Batista Castellano and others were recognized for the company’s substantial contributions to the industry and their support of AFE at the 2013 Endowment fundraising dinner. About Mellano & Company Mellano & Company is a leading cut flower grower, shipper and wholesaler that started when Giovanni Mellano set up shop in 1925 as a wholesale distributor. Now in its third generation, Mellano & Company has been plowing ahead in floriculture ever since and is headquartered in its Los Angeles Flower Market location where Giovanni first began. The growing operation was relocated in 1970 to sunny San Diego County in the San Luis Rey Valley. Mellano & Company prides itself on its progressive ideas, many of which have been developed into industry-wide improvements in growing and logistics. Now with more than 80 years of experience in the industry and still plowing ahead, Mellano & Company attributes its success as a true family business to time honored tradition, extraordinary innovation and a whole lot of elbow grease.

Olive Hill Greenhouses Fund, established in 2013 with a $75,000 pledge

The Godfrey family of Olive Hill Greenhouses, strong supporters of AFE, established a named fund within the Endowment in 2013 to ensure critical industry needs could be addressed as necessary. About Olive Hill Greenhouses Olive Hill Greenhouses started in 1973 in Fallbrook, Calif., as Tony and Sue Godfrey’s part time venture and has since grown into one of the largest interior plant producers in the state, with production facilities spanning 760,000 square feet. Every week Olive Hill trucks deliver plants all over Southern California and ship plants via common carrier to other areas. Since its inception, Olive Hill has set high standards and has become known for quality, consistent supply of plants and customer service. In 2000, Olive Hill Greenhouses became a second generation business with Tony & Sue’s daughter Denise joining the sales team. Olive Hill sets quality standards high and has the support of excellent customers who appreciate the quality plants and fantastic employees who have sought to implement Tony’s original vision for the company.

BioWorks Fund, established in 2016 with a $50,000 pledge

For more than 20 years, BioWorks has been helping customers in the horticulture, specialty agriculture, and turf markets. The focus of BioWorks has consistently been on providing environmentally-responsible, safe and effective products and programs for managing plant diseases, pests and nutrition – and on providing knowledge and leadership to their distribution partners and growers. BioWorks also has a scholarship fund through AFE that awards students with $1,000 per year.

The Tom Butler Family Fund, established in 2014 with a $50,000 pledge

The Tom Butler Family Fund was established in 2014 to provide general undesignated funds to the American Floral Endowment (AFE). Tom was a renowned industry leader and served as Chairman of AFE from 2010-2012. He continued his dedication to AFE by serving as AFE development chairman and emeritus trustee until he passed away on Aug. 14, 2014. Born in Detroit, Tom began his distinguished career in the industry more than 44 years ago. After holding multiple prestigious industry positions, he joined American Floral Services (AFS) as President and CEO in 1985 and in 2000 led the company’s successful merger with Teleflora, creating the world’s largest flowers-by-wire company. In his role as Teleflora Chairman, Tom guided Teleflora as a trusted business partner, national marketer and technology innovator for independent retail florists. In addition to serving as World President of Teleflora International, he was a member of the American Academy of Floriculture (AAF) and Professional Floral Communicators-International (PFCI). He was a past board member for the Society of American Florists (SAF) and was inducted into the SAF Hall of Fame in 2012 in recognition of his outstanding contributions to advancing floriculture in America. Tom was a member of numerous national and state floral associations and has received countless awards recognizing his exceptional dedication to the industry. He and his wife, Becky, resided in Salt Lake City and were frequent visitors to his daughter Amy and her family in Dallas.

The Peter Ullrich/Esmeralda Farms Fund, established in 2014

Born in Germany in 1942, Peter Ullrich moved to the United States in 1962 and was Chairman of Esmeralda Farms. He was one of the first growers to establish a presence in Latin America, and foresee the possibilities of its favorable climate in which he could grow flowers on a year-round basis. Esmeralda Farms is a market leader in the floral industry committed to breeding, growing and distributing the highest quality fresh cut flowers. Esmeralda logos Based in Miami, Esmeralda is dedicated to the sales, marketing and distribution of its flowers and only sells flowers grown by its own operated farms in Colombia, Ecuador and Peru to allow for the strictest standards of quality assurance and consistency. Peter Ullrich and Esmeralda Farms have been proud supporters of AFE since 2000. Peter passed away on June 29, 2016.

Scotts Miracle-Gro Fund, established in 2017 with a $35,000 pledge

The Scotts Miracle-Gro Company was established in 1868 is the world’s largest marketer of branded consumer lawn and garden products. The company is dedicated to inspiring people of all ages to express themselves on their own piece of the Earth. In the U.S., Scotts®, Miracle-Gro®, Ortho®, and Tomcat® brands are market leading in their categories, as is the consumer Roundup® brand, which is marketed in North America and most of Europe exclusively by Scotts. Outside of North America, the Company has various popular brands, including Miracle-Gro®, Evergreen®, KB®, Fertiligene®, Celaflor® and Substral®. Scotts Miracle-Gro has been a supporter of AFE since 1983.

Carlstedt’s LLC Fund, established in 2016 with a $27,000 pledge

carlstedts Carlstedt’s LLC has 15 locations in six states serving the Southeast United States with E-Commerce site – FlowerGeneral.com, powered by Carlstedt’s. Distributors of quality cut flowers and floral accessories, Carlstedt’s established this new fund to promote the floriculture industry through AFE.

Sunlet Nursery, Inc. Fund, established in 2013 with a $25,000 pledge

John and Janet Kister of Sunlet Nursery have contributed to the Endowment for years, and their pledge establishing an undesignated named fund also allows AFE to address the most pressing industry issues. About Sunlet Nursery, Inc. John and Janet Kister established Sunlet Nursery, Inc. in 1985 on the premise of offering more unusual flowering plants than were typically available. Located on 25 acres in the rolling hills of Fallbrook, Calif., they make use of the ideal, Mediterranean-like climate to produce a consistent, high-quality product. Sunlet Nursery currently supplies independent garden centers, wholesale florists and supermarkets across the U.S. with an eclectic mix of flowering and foliage plants.

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The late Vic and Margaret Ball

Designated Named Funds

A gift of $50,000 or more can establish a Designated Named Fund. Money from these funds is co-mingled with AFE’s corpus for investment purposes but are tracked in the financial record separately. The fund starts with the gift amount, and additional gifts can be added over time. Investment gains and losses are distributed to it pro-rata, as well as operating expenses, and distributions are subtracted. In this way, the fund can be reported on individually to the donors, with the fund balance at any point in time, as well as distributions that have been made as a direct result of this gift. The donor enters into a separate gift agreement that memorializes the gift, indicates the reason behind the gift an where distributions are allocated, the history of the donor, both in the industry and within AFE, and how the fund will be administered.

2021 Designated Named Funds

Meinders Retail Florist Education Grant Fund

Established through generous contributions from longtime industry members and AFE supporters, Herman and LaDonna Meinders, this new fund combines with the first-ever AFE Named Fund established in 2011 by the couple now totaling more than $500,000.

The new education grant fund specifically supports reduced or free registration fees to floral industry events for retail florists by providing grants or scholarships to nonprofit floral industry organizations for this purpose. The fund is fully sustainable and is expected to grow year over year, allowing for increased contributions of important industry educational programs. In its first year, it will provide over $10,000 in grant funding.

About Herman and LaDonna Meinders

Herman Meinders, Past Chairman and longtime supporter of AFE, is founder and Chairman Emeritus of American Floral Services, one of the largest floral wire services that merged with Teleflora in 2000. He is also a past Chairman of AFE. Herman and LaDonna have been making personal and corporate contributions to AFE since 1980 and have been instrumental in many philanthropic projects and educational institution endowments.

Herman and LaDonna Meinders are also founding members of our Legacy Circle, an honorary group of industry members who have made provision for a planned gift to AFE through a bequest, a life insurance policy, a trust, or otherwise.

2019 Designated Named Funds

The Garcia Family Fund

The Garcia Family Scholarship Fund is intended for junior or senior students attending a two- or four-year institution with a career focus on the marketing or distribution of floral products, including retail, wholesale, manufacturing and/or floral business ownership/operations. The Garcia Family has proudly served the floral industry since 1965. Owned by the Garcia family, Garcia Group, Inc. operates six different divisions: Floral-Pak® Company; Plus One Imports™; Garcia Group Glass—Floraglas® and G3® brand products; Vase D’Lite® and Premium Wood Picks. All are represented exclusively by the Pete Garcia Company™ THE BEST LINES IN THE WORLD®.

The Retail Florist Continued Educational Grant

This Retail Florist Continued Education Grant was established by Bob and Carol Sharpe, retired third-generation florists from Frederick, Maryland. Sharpe’s Flowers was considered a Frederick landmark since 1930 and was in business for 84 years. Bob and Carol closed their shop, Sharpe’s Flowers, in 2014 when they retired. Like many retailers, Bob and Carol struggled with finding the time to get out of the shop to attend industry events or continue their education. “In an industry where businesses are handed down from generation to generation, continued education is vital for success,” said Bob. Bob and Carol want to help floral businesses succeed so they worked with the Endowment to create the Retail Florist’s Continued Education Fund.

2018 Designated Named Funds

CalFlowers Scholarship Fund

Established by CalFlowers, this scholarship is for undergraduate students attending an accredited California college or university (first priority) or an undergraduate California resident attending an accredited college or university elsewhere in the U.S. (second priority). Students applying for this scholarship do not need to be majoring in an agricultural program but must demonstrate a commitment to seeking employment in the floriculture industry after graduation. A work history or a meaningful internship experience in floriculture is necessary if the applicant is not obtaining an agricultural degree. Students should have a GPA of 3.0 or higher.

Long Island Flower Grower Association Bob Gunther Scholarship Fund

This scholarship was established in memory of the late Bob Gunther, owner of Gunther’s Greenhouses & Florist in Oceanside, New York. It is intended for students from Long Island and New York who are studying ornamental horticulture at a community college or four-year institution in New York. This includes floriculture, landscape maintenance, landscape design, turf and any other courses of study related to ornamental horticulture.

2017 Designated Named Funds

Arizona Retail Florist Education Travel Grant

A new travel grant was established for retail florists in Arizona to pursue floral industry educational or design events. The grant assists Arizona florists in traveling to national industry events for educational programs and to provide networking opportunities on a national level. Each year, one recipient will be selected by AFE’s Education Committee to receive the travel grant of up to $1,000 to help cover the cost of attending an out-of-state industry educational event. The grant is open to owners, managers and employees of traditional retail florists with a brick and mortar storefront in Arizona. The application deadline is October 1 each year (for travel in the following year).

2015 Designated Named Funds

Altman Family Scholarship Fund

Ken and Deena Altman, owners of Altman Plants, began their love of the industry in 1975 with what started out as an innocent hobby. With an avid interest in plants, their business slowly transformed itself into a wholesale nursery business encompassing over 1700 acres in six states. Today, Altman Plants supplies exciting plant programs to large retailers with point of purchase materials, sales reps to assist with merchandising, a large distribution system that covers the United States, and offers expertise in growing plants from cactus to herbs, from grasses to perennials, and more. The Altman’s are highly appreciative of the field of horticulture and enjoy giving back. They have established the Center for Applied Horticultural Research as an effort to help the industry and they support numerous efforts to improve education and research for the industry. The Altman Family Scholarship is for full-time M.S. or Ph.D. students in floriculture or horticulture with a career goal in becoming a leading floriculture scientist, marketer and/or educator.

2014 Designated Named Funds

The Todd Bachman Memorial Fund

Todd_Bachman The Todd Bachman Memorial Fund will underwrite AFE’s quarterly print and electronic Bulletin in perpetuity. Todd Bachman served as chairman and CEO of Bachman’s before his untimely death in 2008 and epitomized the company’s reputation for hard work and high ethical standards. In addition to being active in many state and national industry organizations, Todd served 10 years on the AFE board and as chairman in 1996 – 1997. Because of his great leadership, he was inducted into the SAF Floriculture Hall of Fame posthumously in 2010 in recognition of his outstanding contributions to the industry. Todd was not just a great leader – he was also known for being very personable and a great communicator. He treated family, friends, colleagues and employees with the highest respect, dignity and compassion and always made others feel appreciated . Those who knew him will always remember what a great communicator he was and his outstanding leadership and devotion to work and family. His wife and daughters are honored to carry on his legacy.

The Del Demaree Family Fund

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA The Del Demaree Family Fund will establish an internship program to market the industry as a viable career path to attract top collegiate talent with a concentration in business. Delmar “Del” Demaree has an unsurpassed commitment to the floral industry and to the Endowment, where he served as chairman in the early 1990s. Del, chairman of Syndicate Sales, Inc., has earned the utmost respect of his peers and colleagues throughout more than 60 years in the industry, and he is acclaimed for his foresight, enthusiasm and business acumen. Del has led many industry organizations over the years, notably as Society of American Florists (SAF) president and as treasurer for the Wholesale Florist & Florist Supplier Association (WF&FSA). Further, he received the American Institute of Floral Designers (AIFD) Award of Merit for his support and promotion of AIFD’s educational goals and also the Leland T. Kintzele Distinguished Service Award from WF&FSA. Additionally, he has served as chairman for numerous community boards and committees and was awarded the 2013 Hall of Legends award by his community in Indiana. The Demaree Family has been a generous AFE supporter for decades and continues their involvement, with Del’s daughter, Syndicate President Laura Shinall, currently serving as an AFE trustee.