The Gloeckner Foundation Joins with AFE

Jennifer Zurko

The American Floral Endowment (AFE) and the Fred C. Gloeckner Foundation announced a new partnership, joining forces to promote a shared vision of cultivating and funding innovation, advancements, and growth through floriculture research.

Through this partnership, AFE will provide a new home for the Gloeckner Foundation, transitioning the Foundation to a new fund within AFE. The new Fred C. Gloeckner Foundation Research Fund will continue the Foundation’s current mission of providing a source of funding for research and education in floriculture while maintaining its robust history.

The Fred C. Gloeckner Foundation Research Fund complements AFE’s research efforts and amplifies floriculture growth through combining efforts, ultimately resulting in more significant achievements and efficiencies for our industry. This partnership brings over 120 years of research funding and innovations.

Members of the current Fred C. Gloeckner Foundation Board will form a committee within AFE to carry out the ideals and mission in reviewing and distributing annual research funds. The Fred C. Gloeckner Foundation research application and process will remain separate from AFE’s research application process to complement AFE’s current research efforts.

The transition to AFE will become final later this year as both organizations prepare for the merger. Research proposals should be submitted electronically as a PDF document to jsimone@ednieflowerbulb.com and hammer@purdue.edu for consideration. AFE’s Research Funding Application remains on the AFE website (endowment.org) and is due by August 1.

Founded in 1960 by Frederick C. Gloeckner, the Fred C. Gloeckner Foundation provides financial aid for research and educational projects both in floriculture and in allied fields, such as agricultural economics, agricultural engineering, entomology, molecular biology, plant breeding, plant pathology and plant physiology related to floriculture.

Similarly, since 1961, AFE has funded innovative research and programs supporting educational grants, paid student internships and more than 30 annual scholarships. These programs support growth and advancement for all segments of the floral industry. GT