Daily News
From Home Furnishing Business
Retail Foundation Establishes Scholarships for Young Professionals
June 5,
2015 by in Community / Charitable Support, Industry 
The Retail Home Furnishings Foundation (RHFF), an organization created by retailers to improve the industry, has set aside $50,000 to sponsor young people in the furniture business to attend industry events.
Created more than 25 years ago and funded in part by a group of individuals within the industry, the Foundation has helped fund programs with the Interior Design Society as well as training programs and research projects for the retail furniture industry at large. The foundation’s board of directors includes Pedro Capo, Howard Haimsohn, Doug Wolf, Jim Cerza, Jerry Baer, Dennis Novosel, Jeff Baker and Jim Fee.
The $50,000 will be used to provide sponsorships for young retailers to attend industry events including NAHFA’s Home Furnishings Networking Conference, the association’s on-site mentoring programs, and other industry events.
Baer, foundation chairman, said the events are places where young people in the industry can learn and grow. They will have the opportunity to network and hear from mentors in the industry.
“Everyone needs a little help along the way and this next wave of young professionals has a passion and a purpose,” he said. “We want that—we need that—as they’re going to be the ones who move us forward.”
Sharron Bradley, CEO of NAHFA, believes the sponsorships are a strong example of the home furnishings retail industry looking toward the future.
“I’m very excited that the foundation is investing in the next generation of retailers,” she said. “It’s a great project that will benefit not just individuals, but the industry as a whole.”
NAHFA’s Education Collaborative Team will develop the criteria, application process and disbursement protocol for the sponsorships during the next few months.