American Floral Endowment
The American Floral Endowment (AFE) is a public charity based in Alexandria, Virginia. It supports the floriculture industry through funding for research, scholarships, internships, and educational grants.
American Floral Endowment at a glance
In short: American Floral Endowment gave $790K across 20 grants in 2025 (avg $40K), top state California. 45% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $790,450
- +17.0% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 20
- +100.0% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $39,523
- -41.5% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $22,000
- Total assets
- $29,352,380
- +16.2% vs 2024
- New grantees (estimate)
- 45% first-time grantees (9 of 20, 2025; small sample)
- Primary geography
- California (20% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2025; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to American Floral Endowment
- How to Apply
-
Educational grant applications are submitted through AFE’s application portal. The annual review process includes Education Committee review and recommendations to the Board of Trustees.
- Review Cycle
- The educational grant deadline is June 1 each year; the June 1, 2026 cycle has passed. The James and Helen Phillip Scholarship Grant Fund deadline is March 1 each year; the March 1, 2026 cycle has passed.
- Deadline
- The educational grant deadline is June 1 each year; the June 1, 2026 cycle has passed.
- Contact
Mailing address: 610 Madison Street Ste 101 Pmb 803, Alexandria, VA 22314
Phone: (703) 838-5211
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Open Grants
11 open opportunities from American Floral Endowment
AFE Educational Grant
American Floral Endowment
Amount
Up to $10,000 per year
Deadline
Deadline not published
AFE Educational Grants
American Floral Endowment
Amount
US $500 - US $10,000
Deadline
Deadline not published
AFE Scholarships (Floriculture & Horticulture Students)
American Floral Endowment
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Deadline not published
Who American Floral Endowment funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Clemson University ($143K). Together the top 10 received $655K.
Grant Size Distribution
70 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 47 grants of 70 (67%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
AFE’s educational grant eligibility includes community-based organizations with programs targeting the floriculture industry within the United States. Its 2025 grants went to recipients in multiple states, including California, South Carolina, Ohio, North Carolina, and Michigan.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 20 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is American Floral Endowment open to new grantees?
45%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 9 of 20 grantees (45%) were first-time recipients. With only 20 grantees, that is a small sample: one grantee more or less moves the share by about 5 points. First grants averaged $25K; repeat grants $51K. How we count
Medians: $15K first-time, $44K repeat.
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990 filings (2019–2025). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2019 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $378K (2019) to $790K (2025). In 2025 it made 20 grants totaling $790K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Clemson University Clemson, SC | Research Projects | $143,325 |
| Ohio State University Columbus, OH | Research Projects | $105,125 |
| University of California Berkeley Berkeley, CA | Reseach - Reducing powdery mildew disease in floriculture using RNAi bioproducts | $93,992 |
| Michigan State University East Landing, MI | Research - Developing Foliage Stock Plant, Liner and Finish Plant Production Protocols for Temperate Climates | $70,000 |
| North Carolina State University Raleigh, NC | research | $59,892 |
| University of Georgia Athens, GA | Research - Use of CRISPR to develop powdery mildew resistance in Gerbera | $51,475 |
| University of Vermont Burlington, VT | Research Projects | $44,450 |
| University of California Davis, CA | Research - Assessing biocontrol and chemical strategies for managing Phytophthora spp. in commercial floriculture production | $36,799 |
| University of Florida Gainsville, FL | Gloeckner - "Ensuring water treatment technologies are compatible with beneficial microorganisms | $27,914 |
| The University of Texas at Arlington Arlington, TX | Research - Development of potent ethylene antagonists for floricultural crops | $22,000 |
Ready to take the next step with American Floral Endowment?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $29,352,380 | $4,528,919 | $2,057,348 | $790,450 | 20 | $951,434 |
| 2024 | $25,266,937 | $1,673,440 | $1,968,622 | $675,750 | 10 | $868,972 |
| 2023 | $23,956,963 | $648,888 | $1,816,456 | $731,743 | 11 | $-22,420 |
| 2022 | $23,273,313 | $2,465,499 | $1,547,703 | $573,804 | 13 | $1,447,194 |
| 2021 | $26,310,169 | $1,372,877 | $1,206,805 | $463,015 | 16 | $761,817 |
| 2020 | $21,486,721 | $722,681 | $1,252,930 | $383,029 | 15 | $317,584 |
| 2019 | $21,993,851 | $4,455,769 | $1,246,952 | $378,487 | 14 | $3,547,274 |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated October 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
AFE’s stated mission is to advance floriculture through funding innovative research, scholarships, internships, and educational grants that serve the needs and demographics of industry sectors. Its stated program areas include scientific research on current issues affecting floriculture and educational programs that promote the industry and support students pursuing careers in it.
AFE’s research priorities include floricultural crops such as fresh-cut flowers and greens, flowering and foliage plants, bedding plants, and perennials. It considers projects benefiting industry segments from growers to consumers. Its current research focus includes reduced labor, production efficiency, pest management, and postharvest quality and efficiency.
For educational grants, AFE says community-based organizations with programs targeting the floriculture industry in the United States may apply. It gives preference to programs with broad reach, including those that improve educational opportunities for young people. The 2025 grantees included universities and related organizations. For example, the Kansas State University Foundation describes its mission as securing and managing private gifts in support of Kansas State University; the North Carolina Agricultural Foundation says it supports education, research, and extension at NC State University’s College of Agriculture and Life Sciences.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2025, AFE reported 20 grants totaling $790,450. Grants ranged from $6,000 to $143,325, with a median of $22,000. Notable grants included $143,325 to Clemson University for research projects, $105,125 to Ohio State University for research projects, and $93,992 to the University of California, Berkeley, for research on reducing powdery mildew in floriculture.
AFE’s educational grants are reviewed annually by its Education Committee, which makes recommendations to the Board of Trustees. Applicants submit a completed and signed application; funded organizations must provide a final report or article. AFE says educational grants normally range from $500 to $10,000 per year, though awards may exceed that depending on the project. It does not normally fund routine operating costs, religious purposes, or capital facilities and equipment; exceptions for certain media expenses may apply when integral to a funded project. Multi-year projects are encouraged.
AFE also offers the Demaree Family Floriculture Advancement Fund for organizational projects addressing timely industry challenges, with requests up to $10,000. Its listed October 1, 2026 deadline has passed. The Mosmiller Internship Program places eligible undergraduate students in paid internships; successful participants receive a $2,000 scholarship. This is a participant opportunity rather than a grant program for outside applicants, and its listed October 1, 2026 deadline has passed.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Debra L. Chedester as Executive Director. It also lists Ken Young, Laura Shinall, Greg Royer, David Garcia, Megan Bowman, Pat Dahlson, Bill Foster, Steve Frye, and Ockert Greyvenstein as officers or trustees.
American Floral Endowment is led by Debra L. Chedester, Executive Director on filings since 2019; 1 of 25 officers listed in 2025 is compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Debra L. Chedester
Executive Director
On filings since 2019
37.5 hrs/week
$119K (2019) → $180K (2025)
David Garcia
Chair Trustee & Executive
Trustee → Trustee & Executive Committee, 2023
Trustee & Executive Committee → Chair Trustee & Executive, 2025
On filings since 2019
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Art Van Wingerden
Trustee & Executive Committee
Trustee → Trustee & Executive Committee, 2025
On filings since 2019
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Bill Foster
Treasurer & Secretary Trustee
Trustee → Treasurer & Secretary Trustee, 2025
On filings since 2019
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
David Boulton
Trustee
On filings since 2019
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Greg Royer
Trustee Treasurer & Secretary
Education Chairman → Treasurer & Secretary, 2021
Treasurer & Secretary → Trustee Treasurer & Secretary, 2025
On filings since 2019
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Jim Daly
Trustee
Chairman → Past Chairman, 2021
Past Chairman → Trustee, 2024
On filings since 2019
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Mauricio Jaramillo
Trustee
On filings since 2019
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Steve Frye
Trustee
On filings since 2019
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Megan Bowman
Trustee
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Gustavo Gilchrist
Trustee
On filings since 2021
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Jackie Lacey
Trustee
On filings since 2023
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Jeronimo Herrera
Trustee
On filings since 2023
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Pat Dahlson
Trustee & Executive Committee
On filings since 2023
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Tim Noble
Trustee
On filings since 2023
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Adam Van Winkle
Trustee
On filings since 2024
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Kelvin Frye
Trustee
On filings since 2024
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Ockert Greyvenstein
Trustee
On filings since 2024
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Vijay Rapaka
Trustee
On filings since 2024
No compensation reported
Alicain Carlson
Trustee
New on the 2025 filing
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Kevin McCarthy
Trustee
New on the 2025 filing
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Martin Hackney
Trustee
New on the 2025 filing
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Mike Haley
Trustee
New on the 2025 filing
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Ken Young
Past Chair Chair T
Chairman & Chairman Elect → Chairman, 2024
Chairman → Past Chair Chair T, 2025
On filings since 2019
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Laura Shinall
Trustee Past Chair
Chairman & Past Chairman → Past Chairman, 2024
Past Chairman → Trustee Past Chair, 2025
On filings since 2019
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (13)
- Former: Dwight Larimer (2019–2023) — Trustee
- Former: Juan Carlos Gonzalez Uribe (2019–2023) — Trustee
- Former: Michael A. Mellano (2019–2023) — Trustee
- Former: Randy Tagawa (2019–2023) — Trustee
- Former: Tim Galea (2021–2023) — Trustee
- Former: Janet Kister (2023) — Trustee
- Former: Patrick Dahlson (2019–2022) — Trustee
- Former: Bill Fernandez (2019–2020) — Trustee
- Former: Cindy Hanauer (2019–2020) — Trustee
- Former: Debi Chedester (2020) — Executive Director
- Former: Ken Altman (2019) — Trustee
- Former: Laura Drotleff (2019) — Trustee
- Former: Marvin Miller PhD (2019) — Trustee
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2019–2025. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2025 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2025 filing was $180K, to Debra L Chedester (Executive Director).
Frequently asked questions about American Floral Endowment
How much does American Floral Endowment give each year?
American Floral Endowment gave $790K across 20 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. In 2024 it gave $676K across 10 grants.
What is American Floral Endowment's typical grant size?
American Floral Endowment's median grant in 2025 was $22,000, and its average grant was $39,523, across 20 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Organizations receiving their first grant from American Floral Endowment that year got $25K on average.
Where does American Floral Endowment give grants?
American Floral Endowment's top state is California, with 20% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990. The next largest states were South Carolina (18%) and Ohio (13%). The most frequent recipient cities were Berkeley, CA (2 grants), Raleigh, NC (2 grants) and Alexandria, VA (2 grants).
Does American Floral Endowment give general operating support?
Not in 2025: none of the 20 grants with a stated purpose on American Floral Endowment's 2025 IRS Form 990 were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Research Projects" (3 grants).
Who are American Floral Endowment's largest grantees?
American Floral Endowment's largest 2025 grantees include Clemson University ($143,325), Ohio State University ($105,125) and University of California Berkeley ($93,992), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. Together they received 43% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is American Floral Endowment?
American Floral Endowment reported $29.4M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $4.5M.
What does American Floral Endowment fund?
AFE’s stated mission is to advance floriculture through funding innovative research, scholarships, internships, and educational grants that serve the needs and demographics of industry sectors. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from American Floral Endowment?
Educational grant applications are submitted through AFE’s application portal. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is American Floral Endowment's EIN?
American Floral Endowment's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 23-6268380. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2019–2025.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated October 2026.
Data update history
(8)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2019 (received by the IRS February 7, 2020)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS February 11, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS February 4, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS December 22, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS December 20, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS January 15, 2025)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS January 30, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2019–2025
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in American Floral Endowment's focus areas in our free grants database
Similar Funders
Funders that support many of the same organizations
Research Corporation dba Research
Tucson, AZ
Research Corporation supports early-stage basic scientific research, especially in the physical sciences, and academic scientists at colleges and universities in the United States and Canada. Its 2024 grants had a median of $55,000, with awards ranging from $74 to $193,142; the profile does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.
Assets
$241.5M
Grants
165
Total Given
$8.0M
Johns Hopkins University
Baltimore, MD
Johns Hopkins University funds a broad range of education, research, health, and community-related work, with 2025 grants ranging from $5,500 to nearly $95 million and a median of $100,000; many of the largest awards were sub-awards. Its grants went to organizations across the U.S., with the largest shares in California and Maryland, and the profile does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.
Assets
$25.3B
Grants
813
Total Given
$594.1M
National 4-H Council
Washington, DC
National 4-H Council funds education and positive youth development through 4-H, including STEM, career readiness, healthy living, and civic engagement programs, often supporting universities and state 4-H foundations. Its 2025 grants ranged from $5,971 to $647,151, with a median of $45,661, and went to recipients in multiple states; its programming reaches nationwide. The grant opportunities described are offered through requests for proposals, so unsolicited requests are not stated as accepted.
Assets
$140.7M
Grants
89
Total Given
$7.4M
American Heart Association Inc
Dallas, TX
The American Heart Association funds basic, clinical, behavioral, translational and population research on cardiovascular, cerebrovascular and brain health, along with research training and education programs. In 2025 it awarded 833 grants totaling about $198 million; amounts ranged from $5,000 to nearly $9.93 million, with a median of $20,000. Research awards are for eligible U.S.-based nonprofit institutions, and the profile describes a formal proposal process but does not state whether unsolicited requests are accepted.
Assets
$2.0B
Grants
833
Total Given
$198.2M
The Simons Foundation Inc
New York, NY
The Simons Foundation funds research and public engagement in mathematics and the physical, life, autism, and neuroscience sciences. In 2024, it made 1,727 grants, with a median award of $72,000 and amounts ranging from $1,480 to $20 million, supporting organizations in the U.S. and internationally. It states that it funds only preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests.
Assets
$4.5B
Grants
1,727
Total Given
$272.0M
Foundation for Food and Agriculture Research
Washington, DC
The Foundation for Food and Agriculture Research funds research partnerships tackling food and agriculture challenges, including production systems, ecosystems, and healthy food. Its 2024 grants ranged from $37,500 to $3.75 million, with a median of about $450,000, and went to organizations in multiple U.S. states. It lists open funding opportunities and application processes; whether it accepts unsolicited requests is not stated.
Assets
$295.2M
Grants
28
Total Given
$25.7M
More similar funders
More Funders in Virginia
Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). American Floral Endowment funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 15, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/american-floral-endowment-morg_e2350c98aec6445d8cd6ce92ceaa3374
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_236268380_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{American Floral Endowment funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/american-floral-endowment-morg_e2350c98aec6445d8cd6ce92ceaa3374},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-15. Data licensed CC BY 4.0}
}The figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0: reuse them with credit to Grantable and a link. Download the data.
Figures come from American Floral Endowment's IRS filings (methodology). AI-written summaries, news items and logos are not covered by the open licence. Spot an error? Email hello@grantable.co.
American Floral Endowment down — hundreds of funders to go?