About Foundation Grants

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 Grant

Grant 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 Grant

Communications Grant 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. 

Non-Member 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 Grant

Grant 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) Grant

Grant 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 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.

NEW FSAE Foundation AE-MBA Program 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

FSAE Foundation CAE or CMP 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. 

FSAE Foundation Diversity & Inclusion Grant

Grant 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:

• Eligible candidates must be a member of a racial or ethnic minority group, LGBTQ+ Community, or a person with a disability, and currently employed in an association

FSAE Foundation Associate Member 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.

FSAE Foundation Young Professionals 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. 

 2024 Grant Recipients

 RB Oppenheim Associates (RBOA) Grant

• Elizabeth Kelsay, Program Manager, Partners in Association Management
• Tara Polchinski, Marketing and Events Manager, Bay Area Apartment Association
• Susan Stowell Corder, Director, Knowledge Management & Member Services, APCO International
• Tina Ward, CAE; Vice President, Wilson Ward and Associates 

Novi AMS Grant

• Lance Lozano, CAE; Legislative and Regulatory Consultant, Meenan Law Firm
• Charla Lucas, CPRP; Chief Operating Officer, Florida Recreation and Park Association 

Naylor Association Solutions Communications Grant 

• Bonnie Gibson, Director of Membership & Engagement, Bay Area Apartment Association 

Naylor Association Solutions New Member Grant 

• Carmel Haynes, Executive Director, Barbados International Business Association 

MemberClicks by Personify Small Staff Association Grant 

• Mandy Bianchi, Executive Director, Ability1st 

FSAE Foundation "Year of FSAE" Grant 

• Taylor Barrow, Business Operations Specialist, Contemporary Ceramic Studio Association
• Melanie Santiago, Director of Membership Engagement, Apartment Assn of Greater Orlando 

FSAE Foundation Associate Member Grant 

• Gaby LaJeunesse, Tourism Business Development Specialist, Florida's Sports Coast
• Sheri LeaJean, Creator, CEO & Co-Founder, LATITUDES714

FSAE Foundation CAE-CMP Grant 

• Amy Coleman, Professional Development & Events Coordinator, FASA
• Elizabeth Pate, Association Manager, Degnon Associates 

FSAE Foundation Diversity Grant 

• Adrienne Bryant, CAE; Program Director, CCXP, Customer Experience Professionals Association
• P. Christine Poole, CMP; Director of Conferences & Meetings, Consortium for School Networking (CoSN) 

FSAE Foundation Grant 

• Laura Caputo, J.D.; Executive Director, AMC Source 

FSAE Foundation Young Professional Grant 

• Brittney Ackley, CAE; Membership/Marketing Specialist, Contemporary Ceramic Studio Association
• Nicole Rechner, Events & Office Coordinator, Florida Association of Community Health Centers