The AIA Ohio Foundation, a 501(c)(3) organization, is committed to continuing its strong support of those individuals who are pursuing architecture as a career as well as those who may wish to someday join the profession. As part of the Trustee meeting on April 11, 2024, the Board took action to continue our support of current and future architects.
The Foundation will relaunch our Grant Program that was suspended a little over a year ago. This program provides AIA and AIAS chapters, along with other architecture affiliated organizations to submit programs to the Foundation for funding. While the program entertains a wide range of programming, the grants will need to focus on the Foundation’s mission. As part of this relaunch, the Board set new criteria for submission, and changed the timeline. Submissions will be due during a single open window, with all programs evaluated by a sub-committee of the Board. Once selected, an announcement will be made by the Foundation with funding provided to the recipients for the following fiscal year. More information on the program and the re-launch date will be coming over the next few months.
In cooperation with AIA Ohio, the AIA Ohio Foundation has taken over the management of the AIA Ohio/AIA Ohio Foundation Student Design Awards. This program is coordinated with students and faculty at each of Ohio’s five accredited programs and provides students the opportunity to submit their designs for review and selection as a Student Design Award recipient. This program requires submissions to be made to the schools by June 15th. Recipients of the awards will be recognized at the AIA Ohio Awards Celebration at the 2024 AIA Ohio Conference on September 15th.
In 2024, the Foundation will continue its scholarship program with the five Ohio architectural programs, providing scholarships in the amount of $3,000 to each school. Selection of the recipients are made by each of the individual schools and are based on their own selection criteria. Presentation of scholarships is expected to take place later this spring at most of the universities.
The Foundation will continue its support of the AIAS chapters throughout the state with awards of $1,500 being provided to each of the chapters in the state. This program helps bridge the gap between the AIA and the AIAS as students move from the academy to practice. At the AIA Ohio March Board meeting held at the University of Cincinnati, the Foundation presented a check to the AIAS University of Cincinnati student leadership team.
Finally, the AIA Ohio Foundation has been named a benefactor of the estate of Richard Neil Bechtel, a former member of AIA Dayton and a past treasurer of the AIA Ohio Foundation. Mr. Bechtel’s contribution is greatly appreciated by the Foundation, and we look forward to using his donation in a way that will advance the Foundation’s goals and mission. This contribution will be celebrated at a date to be determined.
Bruce Sekanick, FAIA, AIA Ohio Foundation President