Do you dream of being more innovative in your association? Wish you could observe others who are working in new ways? Know what you want to do, but don’t have the seed money to get it started?

ASAE Foundation may be able to help you.

In a world seeming to evolve at the speed of light, continuous innovation is essential for any association that expects to remain relevant.

ASAE is committed to leading that effort––as a catalyst, role model, and incubator.

The ASAE Foundation Innovation Grants Program fulfills the incubator function by providing awards to support innovation exploration and development. This pilot program is one of many ASAE initiatives designed to raise awareness and encourage innovation in the association community.

Innovation can be defined as a new or significantly improved program, product, service, or process that adds value––usually for members or other stakeholders. It can be incremental or radical, but it basically comes down to this: any new idea that gets successfully implemented.

The ASAE Foundation Innovation Grants Program supports innovation by:

1. Travel grants: For individuals who wish to pursue education in the area of innovation.
2. Exploration grants: For organizations that want to study or implement a new process, product, or business model.

Hybrid applications (including both travel and exploration) will also be accepted.

Funding Levels

The ASAE Foundation Innovation Grants Program is offering four grants of up to $10,000 each.

Applications and Deadlines

Application process is closed. For details on how to apply for the 2014 IGP Grants contact igp@asaecenter.com.

Eligibility

Professional or trade associations, nonprofits, consulting companies that serve the association community and association industry partners are eligible to apply. All applicants or applicant teams must include at least one ASAE member. Learn more about the grant criteria.

SunTrust Foundation is a major supporter of the Innovation Grants Program

Funding Sources

Funding for this grant is being provided by ASAE Foundation

Learn more about ASAE Innovation initiatives, tools and the history of innovation at ASAE.

Committee

The ASAE Foundation's Innovation Grants Program is managed by a committee of staff and volunteers, including
Michelle Mason (Chair); Cynthia D'Amour, MBA; Celia Besore, MBA, CAE; Paul K. Farrell, AuD, CCC-A; Rita Chen Fujisawa, MBA, CAE; Chelsea Killam; Eric Lanke, CAE; Robb Lee; Sharon Moss, Ph.D. CAE; Mariah Burton Nelson, MPH, CAE; Mark Nelson, MBA, Ph.D.; Stephen Peeler; J. Clarke Price, CAE; Susan Robertson, CAE; Holly Shelton; Alexis Terry

2013 Innovation Grants Program Award Winners (listed in alphabetical order)

• American Alliance of Museums
  Proposal Title: Digital Badging — Microcredentialing for the Alliance Membership  
• Association of American Medical Colleges
  Proposal Title: Accelerate! Using Innovation Tools to Meet Member Needs
• Colorado Nonprofit Association
  Proposal Title: On Demand Educational Toolkits
• International Association of Diecutting and Diemaking
  Proposal Title: THINK! Outside the Box

Read the Proposals  |  Support the 2014 Innovation Grants Program with a gift.