Grants for Professional Development

Available GrantsEligibility CriteriaIOM Grant2026 Recipients

2026 Grant Winners Announced
25 Grants totaling $14,595 Awarded!

View 2026 Recipients

Grants will Reopen in December 2026 for 2027 Funds

FSAE Foundation Grants include funding to attend Annual Conference, earn CAE/CMP certifications, and special grants for communication staffers, Young Professionals, the new AE-MBA Program, FSAE programs and one specifically for a non-member (tell your friends!). Thanks to our generous corporate partners and member contributions, in 2026 we awarded 25 grants totaling $14,595 for professional development funding. Thank you to all our contributors that make this possible.

About Foundation Grants

One of the primary purposes of the FSAE Foundation is to encourage member professional development and certification through financial support. 2027 Grants are funded by Naylor Association Solutions, Novi AMS, RBOA Digitally Driven Marketing and FSAE Member Donations. Thank you!

Since 2002, the Foundation has awarded 473 grants totaling $283,015 for association professionals to attend educational conferences or earn their CAE/CMP designations. Over $452,700 has been used to underwrite speakers and education at the FSAE Annual Conference and over $449,000 has been used to implement Foundation initiatives including industry reports and surveys.

2027 Available Grants

All grants use the same application form to apply. When applying, you may select all grants you might qualify for on the same submission. Deadline to apply is February 28, 2027.

Naylor Association Solutions Communications Grant

The Naylor 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. 

 Naylor Association Solutions New Member Grant

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 Grant

Grant Amount: $560 - 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.

A Year of FSAE - Foundation Grant

This Grant is designed to assist an FSAE Association Executive Member in gaining professional development throughout the year at FSAE Educational Programs (except Annual Conference).  The award will support the recipient in covering the cost of registration for Power Luncheons, Education Expo registration, Membership & Marketing Summit, Leadership & Management Summit, 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.)

AE-MBA Program Grant - Foundation Grant 

Grant 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 Association Executive Master Business Academy (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

CAE or CMP Grant - Foundation Grant 

Grant 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. 

 Associate Member Grant - Foundation Grant

Grant 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. 

 Pathways to Success Grant - Foundation Grant

Grant Amount: $250 - $500 - This grant is designed to assist Executives and Associates who are either 35 years old and under OR have less than 3 years in the industry (regardless of age) in gaining professional development at the FSAE Annual Conference ($500) or Education Expo ($250). 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. 

Eligibility Criteria for All Grants

Applicants must meet the following eligibility requirements:

• Application: Submit a completed FSAE Foundation Scholarship/Grant Application.

• Previous Awards: Must not have received any FSAE Foundation scholarship or grant in 2026.
  
  
• Conflicts of Interest: Must not be a current member of the FSAE Board of Directors, FSAE Foundation Board of Trustees, or FSAE Foundation Grant Committee.
  
  

• Employer Reimbursement: Applicants are ineligible for reimbursement of fees, expenses, or examination costs that have been paid or will be reimbursed by their employer.

• Nontransferable: Grants are nontransferable and may only be used by the recipient for the approved purpose.
  
  

Additional Eligibility Criteria for the Pathways to Success Grant.
In addition to the general eligibility requirements, applicants must meet at least one of the following criteria:

• Be an association professional who is 35 years of age or younger; or
  
  
• Have fewer than three years of experience in the association industry, regardless of age.
  
  

Criteria Points Structure

The FSAE Foundation rewards association professionals who contribute their time to their profession and community. Financial needs are also taken into account for grant awards.

Maximum Points Available:

• Standard Grants: 60 points
• Members under 35 years of age or less than 3 years in the industry: 75 points
  
  

1. Experience in the Association Profession or Industry — Maximum 20 Points

• 2 points for each year of experience in the association profession or relevant industry.
• Maximum of 20 points.

 
2. Association Management Education and Professional Development — Maximum 20 Points

• 2 points for each association management educational course completed within the past five years.
• Maximum of 20 points.

3. Volunteer and Professional Service — Maximum 20 Points

• 2 points for each qualifying volunteer activity completed within the past five years.
• Qualifying activities may include service on association committees, boards of directors, task forces, or other professional groups, as well as community service and other volunteer activities.
• Maximum of 20 points.

4. Letters of Recommendation — Maximum 15 Points
Available only for members 35 years and under or less than 3 years in the industry 

• 5 points for each letter of recommendation submitted, up to a maximum of three letters.
• Letters must be from individuals who have worked or volunteered with the applicant within the past five years.
• Maximum of 15 points.
  
  

5. Previous FSAE Foundation Scholarship or Grant Awards

• Deduct 5 points for each year in which the applicant received an FSAE Foundation scholarship or grant within the past five years.
•  Applicants may receive a maximum deduction of 25 points.
   
  

Apply Now

DEADLINE TO APPLY: FEBRUARY 28, 2027
Questions? Contact Julia Rooney at julia@fsae.org

Institute for Organization Management (IOM) Tuition Grant

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 2027 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 julia@fsae.org. 
IOM Winter Institute Grant applications will launch in early January!

Dates for 2027 summer sites:

• Midwest Institute | June 6-10
• Southeast Institute | June 27–July 1
• Northeast Institute | July 25-29

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 our 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 julia@fsae.org.