American Floral Endowment establishes Demaree Family Floriculture Advancement Fund

The American Floral Endowment established the Demaree Family Floriculture Advancement Fund, designed to support special projects or programs that address critical and timely challenges facing the floral industry.

This new annual grant program will provide funding to projects that are creating innovative resources, education and advancements.

This new fund builds on the legacy of the Del Demaree Family Fund, originally established in 2014 by Del Demaree Jr., to support the Business Internship program. To better meet the immediate needs of the industry, the Demaree family has repurposed this funding to allow for greater flexibility and responsiveness.

AFE continues to offer two paid internship programs, the Mosmiller and Vic and Margaret Ball intern scholar programs, to offer hands-on experience to students interested in pursuing a career in the floral industry.

The Demaree Family Floriculture Advancement Fund honors the life and accomplishments of Del Demaree Jr., a longtime industry leader and former AFE chair and trustee. Demaree who served as a trustee for 10 years and as chairman in 1992 and 1993, dedicated more than 60 years to the floral industry before passing away in January 2023 at age 85.

His daughter, Laura Shinall, managing partner at FreshPath Marketing, continues the Demaree family’s legacy of giving back to the industry with AFE. She served as chair of AFE from 2020 to 2022 and continues to be involved as a current AFE trustee and president of the Floral Marketing Fund Board of Directors. 

“The new fund is a proud evolution of our legacy and offers exciting new opportunities for projects that are working hard to enhance the floral community,” Shinall said. “It also gives us the flexibility to respond to real-time challenges our industry is facing, ensuring that we can drive progress for years to come.”

Organizations with impactful projects, programs or initiatives benefiting the floriculture industry within the United States are encouraged to apply for funding. 

Applications will be due by June 1 each year, with a preference for special projects that are national in scope and provide timely, meaningful benefits for all industry segments.

This grant program does not fund conferences, events, general operating costs or recurring annual programs,, which are eligible for funding through AFE’s Educational Grants. The Demaree fund will support established programs addressing immediate needs and the advancement of floriculture through its programs.