Grants for Professional Development

Available GrantsEligibility CriteriaIOM Grant

FSAE Foundation Grants include funding to attend Annual Conference, earn CAE/CMP certifications, and special grants for communication staffers, Young Professionals, Small Staff, 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 2025 we awarded 25 grants totaling $13,625 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. 2026 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 448 grants totaling $268,420 for association professionals to attend educational conferences or earn their CAE/CMP designations. Over $412,700 has been used to underwrite speakers and education at the FSAE Annual Conference and over $429,000 has been used to implement Foundation initiatives including industry reports and surveys.

2026 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, 2026.

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 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.

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. 

 Young Professional Grant - Foundation Grant

Grant 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. 

Eligibility Criteria for All Grants

• Must complete the Scholarship/Grant Application

• Did not receive any award from the FSAE Foundation in 2025

• Cannot be a current member of the FSAE Board of Directors, FSAE Foundation Board of Trustees, or the Grant Committee

• Cannot be reimbursed for fees, expenses, or exam costs paid for by employer

• Grants are not transferable
  
  
• For YP Grants only: Must be an association professional that is 35 years old and under or have less than 3 years experience in the industry

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. Max points available: 60 - Max points for YP grants: 75 

• Number of years in the association profession/ industry: 2 point for each year; Max 20

• Association Management Educational Courses in last 5 years: 2 point for each course listed; Max 20

• Volunteer Activity – volunteer based volunteer activities in last 5 years (serving on committees, boards, community service, etc.): 2 point for each activity listed; Max 20

• (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

Application Opens December 2025

DEADLINE TO APPLY: FEBRUARY 28, 2026
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 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 julia@fsae.org. 
IOM Winter Institute Grant Deadline: Aug 8 2025

Dates for 2026 summer sites:

• Midwest Institute | May 31 - June 4
• Southeast Institute | June 28 - July 2
• Northeast Institute | July 26-30

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.