Program Overview
The Del Demaree Floriculture Advancement Fund, established within the American Floral Endowment (AFE), provides annual grant funding to support special projects or programs addressing critical or timely challenges within the floral industry. The fund focuses on initiatives that create meaningful impacts through resources, education, or advancements that benefit the industry as a whole.
Grant applications should clearly define the challenge being addressed and explain how the proposed program or initiative will provide valuable resources, education, or advancements. Eligible projects may include marketing initiatives, sustainability efforts, or time-sensitive research that meets immediate industry needs. Past and potential projects include Sustainabloom, the Thrips and Botrytis Research Campaign, and marketing research, among others.
The Endowment prioritizes activities with wide-reaching effects, driving innovation and progress across all segments of the floral industry. Please review the program criteria carefully before submitting your application.
Eligibility
Organizations with impactful projects, programs, or initiatives benefiting the floriculture industry within the United States are encouraged to apply. Preference will be given to special projects that are national in scope and provide timely, meaningful benefits for all segments of the industry.
This grant program does not fund conferences, events, general operating costs, or recurring annual programs. Note: Sponsorship requests for association or university conferences and events should be submitted through AFE’s Educational Grant Application, available on the website. The deadline for these applications is June 1.
Program Details
- Application Deadline: June 1 each year
- Review Period: Applications are reviewed annually after June 1. Applicants will be notified in September.
- Funding Distribution: Grants are distributed within 2-3 weeks following notification.
- Grant Limit: Individual grant requests should not exceed $12,000. Partial funding may be awarded to multiple projects based on the number of applications.
- Multi-Year Funding: Projects may receive funding for multiple years; however, a new application must be submitted annually. Grants are awarded for a single year only.
Reporting Requirements
To help communicate AFE’s funding activities within the industry, grant recipients are required to submit a report or article summarizing their project. This should include:
- A summary of the program and its goals, results, and outcomes
- Details on how the funds were used
- Future plans for the program
Reports or articles will be used to highlight the contributions made and should credit both the Del Demaree Floriculture Advancement Fund and the American Floral Endowment.
History
The Del Demaree Family Fund was established in 2014 with the purpose of establishing an internship program. In 2024, the Fund’s purpose and name was redefined to better support the immediate needs of the industry.
The Del Demaree Family Fund was created by Del Demaree, Jr., longtime chairman of Syndicate Sales, and a past Chairman and Trustee of the American Floral Endowment. Del served as a Trustee for 10 years and as a Chairman in 1992-1993. Among Del’s other many accomplishments were his service as Society of American Florist President and as Treasurer for WF&FSA. Del received the AIFD Award of Merit for his support and promotion of their educational goals, the Leland T. Kintzele Distinguished Service Award from WF&FSA, and the 2015 Floriculture Hall of Fame from the Society of American Florists.
Del Demaree Jr. passed away on January 2nd, 2023, at the age of 85. He was a longtime industry member with over 60 years of experience, a business expert, and a devoted family man.
Del was a second-generation owner who took his family business, Syndicate Sales, to new heights. In 1967 he became president of the company, which took off due to his vision and entrepreneurial drive. By this time, products such as the Aquapic, the Design Bowl, and Everlastin’ Baskets were three widely used staples. In 1968, Del introduced Fronzwood containers, the Candelite Cardette, and Hoosier Glass.
Under Del’s guidance, Syndicate was the first company to use barcode shipping to add a new level of transparency, accountability, and efficiency to the supply chain. He also pushed Syndicate to become among the first in the industry to implement online ordering. In 1994, Syndicate began manufacturing floral preservative, Aquaplus, and floral foam, Aquafoam.
Raised on farms in Michigan and then outside of Kokomo, Indiana, Del’s first taste of being an entrepreneur was when he sold chickens from the family farm door to door. During that time in the mid-’40s, Del’s father spent four days a week farming and three days on the road selling giftware to florists. It was around this time that the family business was born. During his early years with the company, Del learned the values of stewardship, hard work as well as honoring customers, creditors, and employees. He also understood and modeled the importance of volunteerism and community service.
Throughout his long career, Del had an unsurpassed commitment to giving back to the floral industry and to the American Floral Endowment. Del dedicated a tremendous amount of time and energy to participate in associations and organizations, and his commitment to the Endowment spanned across decades.
