Minnesota Architectural Foundation

The purpose of the Minnesota Architectural Foundation (MAF) is to provide advocacy and capital for the advancement of architecture in Minnesota.  Through a variety of sources the Foundation funds outstanding programs such as the Thomas F. Ellerbe Scholarship, the Rapson Traveling/Study Fellowship, the Wigington Minority Scholarship, and the Beverly Hauschild-Baron Leadership Fund.

Your financial support allows the MAF to continue to fund these outstanding programs. Help us support current and future practitioners in the advancement of the profession and make Minnesota architecture the best in the country.  Please make your contribution online or by downloading the Contribution Form (pdf) and returning it with your contribution to AIA Minnesota. Thank you for your support!

2013 Ralph Rapson Traveling Study FellowshipDoug Gerlach, AIA has been awarded the 2013 Fellowship!

Congratulations to the 2013 Rapson Traveling Study Fellowship Finalists:

Kendra Beaubien, AIA
Thomas Clark, AIA
Doug Gerlach, AIA
Kate Lohrenz, Assoc. AIA
Andrew Schoenherr, Assoc. AIA

Read more about this year's exciting program and see the finalists submittals.

Two Minnesota Architectural Foundation Scholarships Awarded Matching Grants from AIA National (April 2012)

The Thomas F. Ellerbe and Clarence Wigington Minority Scholarship sponsored by the Minnesota Architectural Foundation have each received a matching grant of $1,000 from the AIA National Component. The AIA National Component supports local and state Components or their affiliated foundations in their efforts to provide and develop scholarship programs.

Legacy Society Members

Special thank you to our Legacy Society Members:

AIA Minnesota
AIA Minneapolis
AECOM
Architectural Alliance
Alicia Belton, AIA and Marc Belton
John Cuningham, FAIA and Sally Cuningham
David Dimond, AIA and Gail Dimond
Frush Family Foundation
Hammel Green and Abrahamson
Beverly Hauschild-Baron, Hon AIA and Brad Baron
Vicki Hooper, AIA
LeDoux Foundation
Ellen Luken, AIA
Target Corporation
Jeffrey Scherer, FAIA
Peter Vesterholt, AIA
VJAA - Vincent James Associates Architects
Doug Westby, AIA

As you form your long-term plans, please include the Minnesota Architectural Foundation in your will or trust, to ensure its ability to provide support for future generations of Minnesota architects.

2013 Board of Directors
Vicki Hooper, AIA, President
Toby Rapson, AIA, Past President
Bill Beyer, FAIA, President-Elect
Linda Ostberg, AIA, Secretary
Linda McCracken-Hunt, FAIA, Treasurer
David Dimond, AIA
Sylvia Frank, AIA
Brian R. Larson, AIA
Choy Leow, AIA
Aaron Parker, AIA
Doug Westby, AIA
Beverly Hauschild-Baron, Hon. AIA, Executive Director
Amber Allardyce, Recording Secretary

History
The Minnesota Architectural Foundation originated in 1970 as the "MSA Foundation for Environmental Research" with a purpose of studying potential computer applications in architecture. In 1979, following receipt of a bequest from William Berget, the name was changed to "MSAIA Architectural Foundation," incorporated for "charitable, scientific & educational purposes relating to the encouragement & improvement of the architectural environment." Today the "Minnesota Architectural Foundation" supports its mission of "Providing Advocacy and Capital for the Advancement of Architecture in Minnesota," through the activities of its General Fund and four goal-specific funds.

Thomas F. Ellerbe Scholarship
The Thomas F. Ellerbe Scholarship was endowed in 1981 by the Ellerbe firm in honor of Thomas F. Ellerbe, FAIA. This fund annually awards two or more $1,000 to $2,500 scholarships to exemplary University of Minnesota architectural and engineering students in the final year of their Master's program.

Ralph Rapson Travel/Study Fellowship
First awarded in 1989, the Ralph Rapson Fellowship honors Ralph Rapson, FAIA. On the basis of a weekend juried design competition, this partially-endowed Fellowship awards young Minnesota architectural graduates or practitioners $10,000 to $12,000 to advance their education in architecture through foreign or domestic travel-study. Donations and fund-raisers continue building this fund, initiated with a 1984 fund-raiser.

Clarence Wigington Scholarship
Created in 1992 as the Minority Architectural Scholarship, this fund was renamed to recognize the extraordinary professional and civic accomplishments of the first African-American municipal architect in the United States and the first licensed African-American architect in Minnesota. This scholarship provides tuition scholarships to minority students who wish to pursue a professional education in architecture at the University of Minnesota, and who hold promise for succeeding in an architectural career. Funding is provided through annual raffles at the AIA Minnesota Annual Convention and donations.

Hauschild-Baron Leadership Fund
The Beverly E. Hauschild-Baron Leadership Fund was established in 2001 to recognize Beverly Hauschild-Baron's 25 years of service to AIA Minnesota. Its purpose is to help develop ongoing leadership for AIA Minnesota by providing financial support for AIA Minnesota members and AIA Minnesota staff pursuing Leadership Training. Funding is provided through designated donations and other private support.

The General Fund
The General Fund derives its income from AIA Minnesota and Chapter contributions, individual contributions and bequests. This Fund covers overhead and supports miscellaneous projects, publications and exhibits that align with the Foundation's mission.