Congratulations to this year\u2019s recipients: Emilie Richardson, Matha Whitney Butler AIFD, Lorna Cooper AzMF, Christina Ignatius AIFD, EMC, PFCI, AzMF, and Annette Peck, and celebrate the meaningful experiences these grants helped make possible. Read on to learn how they used their opportunities to grow and bring fresh ideas back to their businesses!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Don\u2019t miss the next application deadline: October 1, 2026.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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Emilie Richardson – Smith’s Florist & Gift Shoppe<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nRetail Florist\u2019s Continued Education Grant<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/endowment.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/1000001879-768x1024.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\n\u201cThank you for selecting our shop to receive the grant. Attending the conference was expensive, and we can’t do it every year. We believe that education and networking are necessary to maintain relevance in our industry, and the grant helps a small shop like ours to participate in these larger industry events. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Our industry has faced many pressures this year, and I was looking for information that would help us make better decisions in our business, as well as hearing different perspectives from the many roles represented at the conference. Several sessions presented new information that wasn’t even on my radar. I don’t know where else I would have heard about these things if I hadn’t attended. I was also delighted to meet some wonderful folks and have some lively conversations and make new personal connections. I left the conference feeling inspired and energized, seeing beyond my own everyday bubble. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\nI very much appreciate the support that you are giving to us and to the other shops you’ve funded. It’s wonderful to have this support.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\nMartha Whitney Butler, AIFD – The French Potager, LLC<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/endowment.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/image1-826x1024.jpeg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nKen and Jean Royer Family Fund – Retail Florist Education Travel Grant<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n\u201cBeing awarded the Ken and Jean Royer Family Travel Grant is such an honor. This opportunity makes it possible for me to pursue my training at the NGC Flower Show School and deepen my commitment to education and service within the floral industry. I\u2019m so thankful for the support and excited to share what I learn with my community.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Lorna Cooper AzMF – Brady\u2019s Floral<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/endowment.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMG_0334-e1765379440493-706x1024.jpeg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nKen and Jean Royer Family Fund – Retail Florist Education Travel Grant<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n\u201cI\u2019m so grateful to be selected for the Ken and Jean Royer Family Travel Grant. Attending the SAF Next Gen Conference is such an exciting opportunity to learn, connect, and grow. I\u2019m eager to bring back new knowledge and skills to share with my business and industry peers.<\/strong>\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\nChristina Ignatius AIFD, EMC, PFCI, AzMF – Flower Bar<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nArizona Retail Floral Education Travel Grant <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/endowment.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMG_1222-979x1024.jpeg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\n\u201cI am sincerely honored to be selected as a recipient of the Arizona Travel Grant. I extend my deepest gratitude to the American Floral Endowment for its generous support and dedication to continuing education within the floral industry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This grant will play a pivotal role in supporting my International Master Florist (IMF) certification at the Boerma Instituut in Alsmeer, Netherlands taught by Gregor Lersch, which will allow me to pursue studying innovative floral design techniques, Nomenclature, and advanced theory. The insights and expertise gained through this opportunity will enable me to contribute meaningfully to the elevation of the floral community by sharing knowledge, fostering creativity, and promoting professional excellence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Thank you for your enduring commitment to nurturing growth, innovation, and education across all sectors of floriculture. It is a privilege to be part of an industry strengthened by the vision and generosity of the American Floral Endowment.<\/strong>\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\nAnnette Peck<\/strong> – Persimmon Petals<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/endowment.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Photo-of-Annette-Peck-for-Grant-picture-scaled-e1765379685613-861x1024.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nKen and Jean Royer Family Fund – Retail Florist Education Travel Grant<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n“I am so honored and very grateful to be the recipient of the Ken and Jean Royer Family Travel Grant. Because of this, I will be able to attend the AIFD Symposium in 2026 and take part in an amazing floral experience and education. I hope to gain an abundance of knowledge on new floral trends and techniques to bring back with me to share with my colleagues and community.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I am really looking forward to the inspiration I will receive and all that it has to offer for floral designers. Thank you so much!”<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\nAs we look toward a new year, your support helps make opportunities like these possible. Every gift to AFE helps provide florists with access to education, training, and events that strengthen their skills and their businesses. If you\u2019ve been inspired by this year\u2019s recipients, we invite you to help more florists learn, grow, and succeed with a donation<\/strong><\/a> today. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/figure>\n\n\n\n\u201cThank you for selecting our shop to receive the grant. Attending the conference was expensive, and we can’t do it every year. We believe that education and networking are necessary to maintain relevance in our industry, and the grant helps a small shop like ours to participate in these larger industry events. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Our industry has faced many pressures this year, and I was looking for information that would help us make better decisions in our business, as well as hearing different perspectives from the many roles represented at the conference. Several sessions presented new information that wasn’t even on my radar. I don’t know where else I would have heard about these things if I hadn’t attended. I was also delighted to meet some wonderful folks and have some lively conversations and make new personal connections. I left the conference feeling inspired and energized, seeing beyond my own everyday bubble. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n I very much appreciate the support that you are giving to us and to the other shops you’ve funded. It’s wonderful to have this support.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Ken and Jean Royer Family Fund – Retail Florist Education Travel Grant<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cBeing awarded the Ken and Jean Royer Family Travel Grant is such an honor. This opportunity makes it possible for me to pursue my training at the NGC Flower Show School and deepen my commitment to education and service within the floral industry. I\u2019m so thankful for the support and excited to share what I learn with my community.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Ken and Jean Royer Family Fund – Retail Florist Education Travel Grant<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI\u2019m so grateful to be selected for the Ken and Jean Royer Family Travel Grant. Attending the SAF Next Gen Conference is such an exciting opportunity to learn, connect, and grow. I\u2019m eager to bring back new knowledge and skills to share with my business and industry peers.<\/strong>\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Arizona Retail Floral Education Travel Grant <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI am sincerely honored to be selected as a recipient of the Arizona Travel Grant. I extend my deepest gratitude to the American Floral Endowment for its generous support and dedication to continuing education within the floral industry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n This grant will play a pivotal role in supporting my International Master Florist (IMF) certification at the Boerma Instituut in Alsmeer, Netherlands taught by Gregor Lersch, which will allow me to pursue studying innovative floral design techniques, Nomenclature, and advanced theory. The insights and expertise gained through this opportunity will enable me to contribute meaningfully to the elevation of the floral community by sharing knowledge, fostering creativity, and promoting professional excellence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Thank you for your enduring commitment to nurturing growth, innovation, and education across all sectors of floriculture. It is a privilege to be part of an industry strengthened by the vision and generosity of the American Floral Endowment.<\/strong>\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Ken and Jean Royer Family Fund – Retail Florist Education Travel Grant<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n “I am so honored and very grateful to be the recipient of the Ken and Jean Royer Family Travel Grant. Because of this, I will be able to attend the AIFD Symposium in 2026 and take part in an amazing floral experience and education. I hope to gain an abundance of knowledge on new floral trends and techniques to bring back with me to share with my colleagues and community.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n I am really looking forward to the inspiration I will receive and all that it has to offer for floral designers. Thank you so much!”<\/p>\n\n\n\n As we look toward a new year, your support helps make opportunities like these possible. Every gift to AFE helps provide florists with access to education, training, and events that strengthen their skills and their businesses. If you\u2019ve been inspired by this year\u2019s recipients, we invite you to help more florists learn, grow, and succeed with a donation<\/strong><\/a> today. <\/p>\n\n\n\nMartha Whitney Butler, AIFD – The French Potager, LLC<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nLorna Cooper AzMF – Brady\u2019s Floral<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nChristina Ignatius AIFD, EMC, PFCI, AzMF – Flower Bar<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nAnnette Peck<\/strong> – Persimmon Petals<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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