IPPS – ER Foundation
The International Plant Propagator’s Society Eastern Region (IPPS-ER) Foundation was created to fund student research, scholarships and internships. The Foundation is committed to supporting young horticulturists and early career professionals with a passion for propagating and growing plants.
Since its founding the IPPS-ER Foundation has raised more than $500,000 and is now supporting scholarships of up to $2,000 each for students enrolled in 2-year, 4-year and graduate horticulture programs. In 2025 we expanded to provide support for student attendance at IPPS-ER conferences and for young IPPS members to travel to IPPS SR and European region meetings.
If you agree with our mission of helping young horticulturists and propagators please consider making a tax-deductible donation – large or small. Could there possibly be a better way to ‘Seek and Share’?
IPPS – ER Foundation Supports:
- Scholarships
- International Exchange Program
- Research Grants (paused in 2025)
- Internships (paused in 2025)
Donations
Secure donations may be made via our Zeffy site here or by sending a check to:
Brian Maynard, Executive Secretary/Treasurer
IPPS-ER Foundation
PO Box 5764 Wakefield, RI 02880
Governance
How We Work!
The IPPS-Eastern Region (IPPS-ER) Foundation was established by IPPS-ER leaders 55 years after IPPS started. The IPPS-ER Foundation is incorporated as a 501(C)3 with charitable status in the United States. Our incorporation is separate from IPPS-ER, but the Eastern Region retains certain controls such as appointing the Foundation board members and requiring some board members to have served on the Eastern Region Board of Directors.
Once the Programs were running, the Constitution was reviewed and amended with Board approval. Investments, Fiscal and Conflict of Interest Policies were put in place. All this in a relatively short time frame of about 3 years!
To learn about our Board of Directors, go to the Leadership page.
IPPS-ER Foundation Conflict of Interest Policy (Coming soon)
IPPS-ER Foundation Fiscal Policies (Coming soon)
IPPS-ER Foundation Investments Policy (Coming soon)
IPPS-ER Foundation Anti-Discrimination Policy. We are working on it. In the meantime, please contact the IPPS-ER Foundation Executive Secretary Brian Maynardfor more information.
IPPS-ER Foundation Privacy Policy. We are working on it. In the meantime, please contact the IPPS-ER Foundation Executive Secretary Brian Maynard for more information.
Leadership
The IPPS-Eastern Region (IPPS-ER) Foundation Board is made up primarily of members who have served on the IPPS-ER Board. We meet two to three times a year. Board members serve on one or more of the Committees: Executive, Fundraising, Auditing, Scholarships and Exchange Program. IPPS-ER members are welcome to attend Foundation Board meetings to gain a sense of the Foundation’s work. Board members regularly cycle off the Board, so we are always looking for new people to refresh our activities. A good entry to serving on the Board is to volunteer with one of the Committees. Contact IPPS-ER Foundation Executive Director Brian Decker to find out how you can ensure the success of the Foundation.
President: Brian Decker, Deckers Nursery, Inc., Groveport, OH
Secretary/Treasurer: Brian Maynard, Ph.D., IPPS ER Foundation, Wakefield, RI
Directors: Mark Bridgen, Ph.D., LIHREC, Riverhead, NY
Jeremy Deppe, Spring Meadow Nursery Inc., Grand Haven, MI
Mike Emmons, Private Member, Amston, CT
Dale Pierson, Pierson Nurseries, Inc., Tenants Harbor, ME
Dave Sanford, Ph.D., Penn State University, Reading, PA
Kim Shearer, Morton Arboretum, Lisle, IL
Cathy Thomas, Chicago Botanic Garden, Glencoe, IL
Larry Walsh, Prides Corner Farms, Inc., Lebanon, CT
Planned Giving / Bequests
Imagine leaving a legacy to solve some of the thornier problems facing horticulture! Consider making a bequest in your will. It is a special way to provide for the future, while offering generous tax advantages and serving as an important legacy. Contact Brian Decker at ERFgive@ipps.org to discuss.
For more information about the Foundation, contact:
Brian Maynard, Executive Secretary
IPPS-ER Foundation
PO Box 5764 Wakefield, RI 02880