Believing that interior design improves the human condition, the ASID Foundation supports research and education that articulates and expands a baseline of knowledge about how interior design impacts behavior. The Foundation achieves its objective by awarding grants for the collection, expansion, and dissemination of an interior design evidence-based body of knowledge and by awarding scholarships that recognize prospective and current contributions to the interior design profession. Learn about Transform recipients. 

As a partner of 1+, ASID and its Foundation encourage its members to make pro bono service an integral part of their practice. 1+ is here to help you do that and more.Through 1+, American Society of Interior Designers and its Foundation salute the Society's members on staff at design firms who contribute over $10 million in services annually to vulnerable communities. Learn More. 
Read about ASID members and their work with 1+. 

The ASID Foundation’s mission is driven by collaboration and research, and funding for projects that broaden the value of interior design through education and outreach, making the connection with the National Building Museum (NBM) a natural alliance. As part of the partnership with the NBM, the ASID Foundation will participate in developing three public programs, including a collaboration with the special exhibit House & Home, a collection of images, objects, models and films that tours visitors through an array of houses.

Affordable Care Act (ACA) Research

The ASID Foundation and Patcraft, Inc. (ASIDF Research Partner) have engaged ECG Management Consultants, Inc. to assist with providing a deeper understanding of how investing capital funds using architectural design principles can affect hospital and health system financial performance. Research findings were presented at the Healthcare Facilities Symposium and Expo (Oct. 2014) and as a pre-conference workshop at the Healthcare Design Conference (Nov. 2014). The partnership between the ASID Foundation and Patcraft, Inc. continues as we publish the results in 2015.

The leadership training and development opportunities provided by ASID to its volunteer leaders have long been cited by recipients as a major catalyst for both professional and personal growth. Now, through the generous support of the ASID Foundation, the ASID leadership “DNA” has been mapped and made available to all ASID members through the new ASID Leadership Academy. The old myth about individuals being “born leaders” has been repeatedly disproved; everyone has the ability to increase their leadership skills.

Evidence-Based Design

Evidence-based design research is a powerful tool available to residential designers, but it is not used as often as it might be. Using research can help you understand how and why your client is likely to respond to your design and improves the likelihood of the ultimate success of your design. Developed by an environmental psychologist, Dr. Sally Augustin, and an experienced interior designer, Barbara Miller, ASID, who uses research in her own residential projects, this paper provides an overview of the existing research relevant to designing residential interiors and information on how to conduct your own research. Supplemented with practical applications and case studies, Researching Home is both an introduction and an essential resource for any designer wishing to take their practice to the next level.

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The ASID Foundation recently awarded a $20,000 grant to support a major standards revision project currently underway by the Council for Interior Design Accreditation (CIDA). The new accreditation standards will be published in early 2016, and implemented in 2017.

In recent years, the ASID Foundation has also granted funds to support CIDA's Collaborative Strategies session and to comprehensively examine the accreditation process and to develop support services offered to programs seeking accreditation.

National Interior Design Junior Certificate

The ASID Foundation, in partnership with the Interior Design Educators Council (IDEC), the American Association of Family and Consumer Sciences (AAFCS), and a consortium of twenty-eight states, has developed a national interior design examination and certificate for high school and/or entry level junior college students. With the growing emphasis on assessment and accountability in secondary and post-secondary education, including requirements for Perkins Funding, the Pre-Professional Certification for Interior Design Fundamentals is needed to validate the teaching and learning taking place. It is hoped that states, school districts, and post-secondary education institutions will partner to offer college level credit for successful completion of this examination and attainment of this certificate.

The ASID Foundation has partnered with non-profit organization Rebuilding Together in an initiative focusing on rehabilitating the houses of low-income active and retired members of the military in need throughout the country.

Through this partnership, the ASID Foundation will help provide safe, sustainable and accessible housing for those who have given so much, yet cannot afford the cost of home maintenance and, in many cases, are physically unable to modify or maintain their homes. We encourage ASID members and chapter leaders to contact Rebuilding Together affiliates in their communities to volunteer for future veterans related home rehab projects. In the coming year there will be many opportunities to volunteer on home repair and modification projects for veterans. For additional information on the Veterans Housing Initiative click here.

The Green House Exhibition 

The ASID Foundation served as a major sponsor of the exhibition, The Green House, New Directions in Sustainable Architecture & Design at the National Building Museum in Washington, D.C. The exhibit, which explores the entire field of sustainable residential design, drew more than 133,000 visitors, the largest in the museum’s history. The installation traveled to the Morris Museum in Morristown, N.J., and the Aurora History Museum in Aurora, Colo. The exhibition was also featured at the Yale School of Architecture in New Haven, Conn., in August 2009.