Landscape Forms Tops $1,000,000 in Giving to LAF
This year, Landscape Forms’ cumulative support of the Landscape Architecture Foundation (LAF) has surpassed $1 million—the first milestone of this magnitude for the Foundation. Since LAF’s first independent fundraising initiative in 1998, Landscape Forms has invested in LAF every single year and it is not an overstatement to say that LAF would not be the organization that it is today if it weren’t for Landscape Forms’ dedicated support and leadership.
Landscape Forms’ financial contributions, collaboration in programming, and thought leadership have enriched LAF to its core and have helped us to grow as an organization, broaden our base of support, and expand our impact. LAF is deeply grateful for Landscape Forms’ generosity and expertise, and I’m personally proud to work with such a values-driven company.
LAF CEO Barbara Deutsch, FASLA
Founded in 1969, Landscape Forms is well-known in the landscape architecture industry as a designer and manufacturer of site furniture, lighting solutions, and structures. But the company’s commitment to landscape architecture and to activating outdoor spaces extends more deeply than simply executing their craft. Landscape Forms is a partner to many, a champion of design, and an advocate for greater investment in the public realm. And amplifying the impact of landscape architects through their philanthropy is central to their core.
“It starts with the belief that Landscape Forms exists to serve. Serve who? Our Credo very explicitly states that our constituents include shareholders, employees, customers, the community (including the environment), and suppliers of the goods and services we need. So it is critical that our philanthropic choices channel the interests of those people and help to meet their needs. Support for LAF is consistent with the beliefs of our people, helps us gain a better understanding of the needs of our industry, helps our industry grow, and helps us build strong relationships with thought leaders,” said Bill Main, a trained landscape architect, President of Landscape Forms from 1994 to 2011 and current Chairman of the Board.
Beyond serving the industry, Landscape Forms remains committed to leveraging its resources to address pressing threats to our planet’s well-being. Richard Heriford, President of Landscape Forms from 2011 to 2019 and a current board member remarked, “The challenges and opportunities have never been greater. Critical issues of our time–from reimagining the city center to addressing environmental change–demand thoughtful design solutions.” Over the organization’s 51-year history, to rise to the challenge and serve its constituencies, Landscape Forms has increased the capacity of its production facilities, acquired compatible companies, and expanded its global marketing and design presence. And with Landscape Forms’ growth has come commensurate investment back to communities and in organizations like LAF.
The nature of Landscape Forms’ support to LAF is far-reaching, distinguishing the organization as a longstanding and vital ally.
Annual Investment
Landscape Forms and Kornegay Design’s (a Landscape Forms company) event sponsorships and a multi-year pledge to LAF’s Annual Fund help operationalize LAF’s mission and vision. And in 2016, when LAF needed to grow to continue supporting the discipline, Landscape Forms led the way as an early and lead contributor to the LAF: 50 & Forward Campaign. Supported by 55 companies and 92 individuals, funds raised during this campaign have catalyzed the past four years of growth for the foundation.
Support for Students
Since the Landscape Forms Scholarship in Memory of Peter Lindsay Schaudt, FASLA (originally the Landscape Forms Design for People Scholarship) was established in 2007, 14 undergraduate students who have demonstrated excellence in creating artfully-designed places for people have received financial support amounting to nearly $50,000.
Xtreme LA
Xtreme LA (Extreme Landscape Architecture) is an annual co-sponsored, Landscape Forms-funded initiative that brings together students and emerging landscape architects in teams led by established practitioners for a three-day design charrette to address the landscape, community, and environmental issues of a particular location. In the last ten years, Xtreme LA has hosted approximately 120 students at 9 different universities, 120 emerging professionals, and 20+ senior professionals, all from across the country.
Thought Leadership
Through service on LAF’s Board of Directors, Bill Main (LAF Board Member 2009-2014, LAF President 2012-2013) and Richard Heriford (LAF Board Member 2014-2020, VP of Communications 2016-2019) have helped to guide LAF through critical moments, from navigating the 2008 recession to helping LAF capitalize on the momentum following its 2016 Summit and New Landscape Declaration. Their insights, business acumen, and commitment to design have helped to shape the organization LAF is today.
The many individuals enriched through the events, initiatives, scholarships, and programs made possible through Landscape Forms’ sustained contributions to LAF are testaments to the real-world impact of every dollar donated. Marjorie Simmons, CEO of Landscape Forms said, “We are grateful for the opportunity to participate and are pleased to continue our support of LAF and the landscape architecture discipline given landscape architects’ critical role in preserving and enhancing outdoor environments.” With the support of Landscape Forms, LAF is proud to strengthen the discipline of landscape architecture and looks forward to seeing the continued impact we can make. We are delighted to recognize this momentous milestone!
