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Grants for Professional DevelopmentGrants include funding to attend Annual Conference, earn CAE/CMP certifications, and special grants for communication staffers, Young Professionals, Small Staff, Under-Represented Diverse Groups, the new AE-MBA Program, new Summit registrations and one specifically for a non-member (tell your friends!). Thanks to our generous corporate partners and member contributions, in 2024 we awarded 20 grants totaling $11,625 for professional development funding. Thank you to all our contributors that make this possible. 2025 Grant Applications Now Open!
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One of the primary purposes of the FSAE Foundation is to encourage member professional development and certification through financial support. The FSAE Foundation has provided awards for many years to FSAE members through the generosity of Hilton Worldwide, Hyatt Hotels in Florida, Marriott International Hotel & Resorts of Florida, MemberClicks by Personify, Naylor Association Solutions, Novi AMS, RBOA, the contributions of FSAE members, and other supporters. In 2025, Grants are funded by MemberClicks by Personify, Naylor Association Solutions, Novi AMS, RB Oppenheim Associates and FSAE Member Donations. Thank you. Since 2002, the Foundation has awarded 423 grants totaling $254,795 for members to attend educational conferences or earn their CAE/CMP designations. Over $387,700 has been used to underwrite speakers and education at the FSAE Annual Conference and over $409,000 has been used to implement Foundation initiatives including industry reports and surveys. MemberClicks by Personify Small Staff GrantGrant Amount: $500 - MemberClicks by Personify Small Staff Grant is designed to assist an FSAE Association Executive Member in gaining professional development through educational training at the FSAE Annual Conference. To qualify, you must be a full-time employee for an Association with fewer than 20 people on staff. Personify is an Association Management Software that focuses on meeting the needs of small staff associations across the country. This award will support the recipient in covering the costs of registration fees and/or travel expenses associated with the FSAE Annual Conference. The selected recipient must use the award within 12 months of the receipt of the award. Award can be used as reimbursement for associated fees incurred from Jan 1 until in receipt of award. Repayment of the financial award is required if the recipient does not use within the award year or fails to provide appropriate proof of award use. Naylor Association Solutions Communications Grant AND New Member GrantGrant Amount: Conference Registration - There are two new grant opportunities generously offered by Naylor Association Solutions. The Communications Grant is designed to assist an FSAE Association Executive Member, who has been working for at least one year in a communications, marketing or membership role, in gaining professional development through education or training at the FSAE Annual Conference. The recipient must be a direct employee of an association, not a contracted representative or vendor of an association. The recipient’s registration fee or travel expenses will be covered, and they must use the award within 12 months. The award can be used as reimbursement for associated fees incurred from Jan 1 until in receipt of award. Repayment of the financial award is required if the recipient doesn’t use within the award year or fails to provide appropriate proof of award use. Grant Amount: Conference Registration + Dues - The Naylor New Member Grant will be awarded to someone who is relatively new to the association industry, with 2 years or less experience, and who is not currently a member of FSAE or has not been a member for the past 3 years. The recipient must be a direct employee of an association, not a contracted representative or vendor of an association. The grant will assist this person in gaining professional development through education or training at the FSAE Annual Conference, and will also cover their membership dues for one year. The recipient’s membership dues and the registration fee will be covered, and they must use the award within 12 months. The award can be used as reimbursement for associated fees incurred from Jan 1 until in receipt of award. Repayment of the financial award is required if the recipient doesn’t use within the award year or fails to provide appropriate proof of award use. Novi AMS GrantGrant Amount: $500 - Novi AMS Grant is designed to assist an FSAE Association Executive Member in gaining professional development through educational training at the FSAE Annual Conference. The award will support the recipient in covering the costs of registration fees or travel expenses associated with the FSAE Annual Conference. The selected recipient must use the award within 12 months of the receipt of the award. Award can be used as reimbursement for associated fees incurred from Jan 1 until in receipt of award. Repayment of the financial award is required if the recipient does not use within the award year or fails to provide appropriate proof of award use. RB Oppenheim Associates (RBOA) GrantGrant Amount: $500 - RB Oppenheim Associates Grant is designed to assist an FSAE Association Executive Member in gaining professional development through educational training at the 2024 FSAE Annual Conference. To qualify, you must be active in planning or implementing your association's current or future (calendar year 2025) plan to leverage digital marketing to promote your association. Embracing digital strategies transforms associations. It sharpens audience targeting, deepens member engagement, fosters member retention, and empowers decisions based on robust data. Cost-effective promotions, heightened brand visibility, and real-time performance insights become catalysts for sustained growth, making digital marketing a pivotal force for associations. RBOA is a digitally driven marketing firm with nearly 40 years experience supporting associations, nonprofits, and organizations to exceed their goals. rboa.com This award will support the recipient in covering the costs of registration fees and/or travel expenses associated with the FSAE Annual Conference. The selected recipient must use the award within 12 months of receipt of the award. The award can be used as reimbursement for associated fees incurred from Jan 1 until receipt of the award. Repayment of the financial award is required if the recipient does not use it within the award year or fails to provide appropriate proof of award use. FSAE Foundation A Year of FSAE GrantThis Grant is designed to assist an FSAE Association Executive Member in gaining professional development throughout the year at all FSAE Educational Programs (except Annual Conference). The award will support the recipient in covering the cost of registration for Power Luncheons, Education Expo registration, Women's Summit registration, new Membership & Marketing Summit, new Leadership & Management Summit, Think Tank (on applicable years) and QAS (Qualified Association Specialist online certificate program). The selected recipient must use the award within 12 months of the receipt of the award. (Award cannot be used as reimbursement for associated fees incurred from Jan 1 until in receipt of award) Repayment of the financial award is required if the recipient doesn’t use within the award year or fails to provide appropriate proof of award use. NEW FSAE Foundation AE-MBA Program GrantGrant Amount: Valued at $995 - This Grant is designed to assist FSAE Executive Members or Associate Members gain professional development through FSAE’s brand-new AE-MBA Program. The AE-MBA is a 10-week virtual course focused on strengthening skills in people management, organizational leadership, and business finances in associations. The curriculum is based on the foundation of MBA fundamentals, paired with expert-led live discussions. Learn more about this program FSAE Foundation CAE or CMP GrantGrant Amount: Up to $1,000 - These grants are designed to assist FSAE Association Executives and Associate Supplier Members in gaining the professional development needed to obtain the American Society of Association Executive (ASAE) designation of Certified Association Executive (CAE) or the Event Industry Council's (EIC) designation of Certified Meeting Planner (CMP). The grant will support the recipient in covering the cost of the application fees, study class registration, and study materials. The selected recipient must use the award within 12 months of the receipt of the award. Award can be used as reimbursement for fees associated with CAE or CMP application fees incurred from Jan 1 until in receipt of award. Repayment of the financial award is required if the recipient leaves the association management field within one year of receiving the award or fails to provide appropriate proof of award use. FSAE Foundation Diversity & Inclusion GrantGrant Amount: Up to $500 - This Grant is designed to assist an Association Executive in gaining professional development through education or training at the FSAE Annual Conference. The award will support the recipient in covering the costs of registration fees or travel expenses associated with the FSAE Annual Conference. This grant is available to FSAE members and non-members who meet the grant criteria. (For non-members, the grant will cover dues for the current membership year AND registration to the FSAE Annual Conference.) The selected recipient must use the award within 12 months of the receipt of the award. Funds can be used as reimbursement for associated fees incurred from Jan 1 until in receipt of award. Repayment of the financial award is required if the recipient does not use within the award year or fails to provide appropriate proof of award use. Eligibility Criteria for Diversity & Inclusion Grant:
FSAE Foundation Associate Member GrantGrant Amount: $500 - This grant is designed to assist an FSAE Associate Supplier Member in gaining professional development at the FSAE Annual Conference. These awards are offered to assist recipients in covering the costs of the registration fee or travel expenses in getting to the FSAE Annual Conference. The selected recipient must use the award within 12 months of the receipt of the award. Award can be used as reimbursement for associated fees incurred from Jan 1 until in receipt of award. Repayment of the financial award is required if the recipient doesn’t use within the award year or fails to provide appropriate proof of award use. FSAE Foundation Young Professionals GrantGrant Amount: $250 - $500 - This grant is designed to assist an FSAE Executive and Associate Young Professional Member in gaining professional development at the FSAE Annual Conference ($500) or Education Expo ($250). (Young Professionals are defined as FSAE members that are 35 years old and under or less than 3 years in the industry.) These awards are offered to assist recipients cover the costs of the registration fee or travel expenses in getting to the FSAE Annual Conference. The selected recipient must use the award within 12 months of the receipt of the award. Award can be used as reimbursement for associated fees incurred from Jan 1 until in receipt of award. Repayment of the financial award is required if the recipient doesn’t use within the award year or fails to provide appropriate proof of award use. |
2024 Grant RecipientsRB Oppenheim Associates (RBOA) Grant
Novi AMS Grant
Naylor Association Solutions Communications Grant
Naylor Association Solutions New Member Grant
MemberClicks by Personify Small Staff Association Grant
FSAE Foundation "Year of FSAE" Grant
FSAE Foundation Associate Member Grant
FSAE Foundation CAE-CMP Grant
FSAE Foundation Diversity Grant
FSAE Foundation Grant
FSAE Foundation Young Professional Grant
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Must complete the Scholarship/Grant Application
Must be a current FSAE member unless selected grant is available to non-members
Must have been a member of FSAE for at least 1 year
Did not receive any award from the FSAE Foundation in 2024
Cannot be a current member of the FSAE Board of Directors, FSAE Foundation Board of Trustees, or the Grant Committee
Must be involved in the Association Profession/Market/Industry for at least 2 years (unless you are applying for the Naylor New Member Grant or Young Professional Grant)
Cannot be reimbursed for fees, expenses, or exam costs paid for by employer
For YP Grants only: Must be a FSAE member that is 35 years old and under or have less than 3 years experience in the industry
The FSAE Foundation rewards members that contribute their time or money to FSAE, but grants are not awarded solely on merit or volunteering for our organization. Other volunteer service and financial needs are also taken into account for grant awards.
Total number of years as an FSAE Member: 1 point for each year; Max 10
Number of years as an FSAE Foundation Contributor or Patron: 4 points for each year; Max 20
Number of years in the association profession/ industry: 1 point for each year; Max 10
Association Management Educational Courses in last 5 years: 1 point for each course listed; Max 10
Volunteer Experience on a FSAE or Foundation Committee in last 5 years: 3 pts for each Committee listed; Max 10
Other community – based volunteer activities in last 5 years: 1 point for each activity listed; Max 10
(FOR YP GRANTS ONLY) Submit letter(s) of recommendation from someone (current or former) that the applicant has volunteered or worked with over the last 5 years: 5 points for each letter submitted; Max 15
If you have received an FSAE Foundation Scholarship or Grant in past years: -5 points (minus 5 points); per year awarded within the past 5 years
DEALINE TO APPLY: FEBRUARY 28, 2025
Questions? Contact Julia Rooney at [email protected]
The Florida Society of Association Executives is proud to partner with Institute for Organization Management, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation’s professional development program for non-profit executives, and offer one $500 partial tuition scholarships to one of Institute’s 2024 sites. Scholarships will be awarded to students attending Institute for the first time to assist with enrollment fees and cannot be combined with any other Institute scholarships.
For over 100 years, Institute has educated association, chamber, and other nonprofit leaders across the country through its national program, highly rated curriculum and high caliber instructors. Thousands of executives have attended Institute sites across the country to strengthen their management skills, learn industry best practices, and gain a broad national perspective from peers. Institute has helped them build stronger organizations, become stronger business advocates and better serve their members. In addition, you will earn points towards your CCE or CAE certification as Institute’s curriculum is directly tied to those two bodies of knowledge.
Upon completion of the Institute program, graduates receive the IOM recognition, which allows them to use the letters “IOM” in public mention and professional correspondence. The IOM recognition signifies the completion of 96 hours of course instruction in nonprofit management and commitment to the industry.
If you are interested in this scholarship opportunity, contact Julia Rooney, at [email protected].
IOM Grant Deadline: Feb 7
Dates for 2025 summer sites:
For more information about Institute’s curriculum, sites, and dates, visit the Institute Web site, Institute future dates and Prospective Student Toolkit to help you gain insight into the program.
Are you already an IOM and have an updated job or title? Update your contact information and stay connected.
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The association industry is a major professional, business and economic driver in Florida. FSAE endeavors to reach out broadly to a diverse community of professionals to assist with their professional educational and career development. Opportunities to create additional grants/scholarships to reach more members are always available. We welcome your donation to the Foundation so that we can continue the good work. For more information or to make your contribution please contact Julia Rooney at [email protected].