The Landscape Architecture Foundation (LAF) is delighted to announce the LAF Ignite and Fuel Campaign raised more than $2.5 million to support the new LAF Ignite program and $1.4 million to support LAF’s current research, scholarship, and leadership programs. The 18-month campaign concluded June 30, 2023, with investment from 146 Founding Donors who seeded, stretched, matched, and made this campaign a success. Their leadership enabled LAF to develop and launch LAF Ignite and secure funds to support the program as it grows in future years.

“We are incredibly grateful to the many individuals and organizations whose thought leadership and investment supports LAF and the talented students of LAF Ignite,” said LAF CEO Barbara Deutsch. “While the genesis of this program has been in development since 2015, it was a monumental moment in November 2021 when the LAF Board unanimously voted to move forward with the program and campaign to support it, as we all recognized this as the start of something transformational.”

LAF Ignite ultimately was launched in September of 2022 to support BIPOC landscape architecture students overcome barriers to stay in school, graduate, and enter practice. The multi-year program provides participants with an annual $10,000 scholarship, annual paid summer internship, and access to three types of mentorships throughout their academic experience. The first cohort of Ignite students began working one-on-one with mentors in July and recently completed summer internships at firms and organizations across the country.

The LAF Ignite and Fuel Campaign represents a concerted effort by LAF and the many individuals, firms, organizations, and partners who have invested in it to make the discipline of landscape architecture more representative of the communities in which landscape architects work. The Ignite program builds on nearly 60 years of LAF efforts – through scholarships, research, and leadership – to provide knowledge, experiences, and resources that enable landscape architects to use their unique skills to change the world.

“It’s critical that we support future landscape architects during this pivotal time in their academic and professional journey,”
said North Carolina State University Professor Kofi Boone, FASLA and LAF Immediate Past President. 

“Research shows this support is needed. I’m proud that this program will help to accelerate the pace and scale at which landscape architecture can increase diversity within our ranks and mirror the communities we serve.”

LAF would like to thank and recognize the following current and former DEI Committee members for their work on this important program: Alexa Bush – VP, Austin Allen, Diane Jones Allen, Sierra Bainbridge, Rachel Booher, Kofi Boone, Mark Carlos, Valerie Carter, Keiko Tsuruta Cramer, Elen Deming, Kona Gray, Deb Guenther, Kendra Hyson, Clarence Lacy, Richard Roark, Roana Tirado, and Ernie Wong.

LAF also would like to thank our generous donors for their leadership and significant commitments to the LAF Ignite and Fuel Campaign.