dossier ↑ parent activity group ·

research dossier

INTERNATIONAL FEDERATION OF INTERIOR ARCHITECTS/DESIGNERS INC

NEW YORK, NY · EIN 464872638 · Form 990 · FY2023 · Small ($100K-$1M) · ifiworld.org

revenue

$130K

expenses

$153K

net assets

$-260K

employees

volunteers

program ratio

77%

mission · from form 990

IFI EXISTS TO EXPAND, INTERNATIONALLY AND ACROSS ALL LEVELS OF SOCIEITY, THE CONTRIBUTION OF THE INTERIOR ARCHITECTURE/DESIGN PROFESSION THROUGH THE EXCHANGE AND DEVELOPMENT OF KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE, IN EDUCATION, PRACTICE AND FELLOWSHIP.

profile · synthesized from sources

International Federation of Interior Architects/Designers (IFI) is a global nonprofit established in 1963 that serves as the international federation for interior architecture and design organizations. It advances the profession through knowledge exchange, education, and advocacy, connecting professionals across 7 countries. IFI organizes speaker series, publishes research and guidelines, and hosts global awards to promote design excellence and social responsibility.

named programs · 3 · from sources

What they call their work

IFI Global Awards Program (IFI GAP)

Biennial awards recognizing global excellence in interior architecture and design, including the IFI Prize and Design Journalism Award

IFI LEADS Speaker Series

Virtual or hybrid lecture series featuring international design leaders discussing global issues in interior architecture and design

IFI Publications

Portfolio of research reports, position papers, and educational resources including the International Handbook, Green Design Checklist, and Global Assessment of the Interiors Discipline

activities · 8 groups

What they do

Professional Excellence Awards Programs 2 activities
- Establishing recognition programs for distinguished professionals
  
  Created the Fellow of IFI (FoIFI) recognition program to honor exceptional contributions by individuals in the field of interior architecture and design.
- Recognizing excellence in interior architecture and design through awards
  
  Administers the IFI Global Awards Program (IFI GAP) to recognize outstanding individuals and built projects globally. Publishes award winners and honors such as the IFI Prize, IFI Design Journalism Award, and Fellow of IFI (FoIFI).
Disability Rights Advocacy & Self-Advocacy Empowerment 1 activity
- Advancing Universal Design and inclusive environments
  
  Advocates for Universal Design to create built environments usable by people of all ages and abilities, including those with temporary disabilities, promoting accessibility and inclusivity across the interior design profession.
Urban Resilience Planning & Advocacy 1 activity
- Advocating for sustainable, resilient, and socially responsible built environments
  
  Advocates for sustainable, resilient, carbon-neutral built environments that protect natural resources, promote clean air and water, and generate renewable energy. Contributes to public discourse on resiliency through sustainable development, disaster planning, and climate change adaptation.
Professional Development & Advocacy for Designers 1 activity
- Facilitating global knowledge exchange and professional development in interior architecture and design
  
  Acts as a global forum for the exchange and development of knowledge in interior architecture and design, supporting education, research, and professional practice. Represents approximately 250,000 designers, educators, and industry stakeholders worldwide.
Professional Networking Events 1 activity
- Organizing global events and speaker series to advance design discourse
  
  Hosts virtual or hybrid lecture series and major events such as IFI LEADS 2022 and IFI LEADS ASIA 2024, featuring international design leaders discussing topics like wellness, creativity, and innovation in design.
Academic Research Dissemination 1 activity
- Publishing educational and professional resources for the design community
  
  Produces and distributes key reference materials including the International Handbook on Interior Design Practice, Directory of Schools III, Lexicon: Interior Design Glossary, and historical publications such as the IFI Yearbook and organizational histories.
Integrated Community-Led Development Programs 1 activity
- Supporting community-benefiting design projects through Pro Vitae program
  
  Implements the IFI Pro Vitae program to support interior design initiatives that deliver community benefits in multiple countries, including Sweden and Mozambique.
Uncategorized 5 activities
- Conducting and publishing research on interior design discipline and education
  
  Conducts comprehensive research initiatives including the IFI Interior Architecture/Design Education Review and the IFI Design Frontiers: The Interiors Entity program. Publishes reports such as "A Global Assessment of the Interiors Discipline," "Exploration of Interiors Educational Strategies in North America," and proceedings from international round tables.
- Improving social conditions through design advocacy
  
  Advocates for built environments that enhance community livability, improve social conditions, and strengthen the social fabric through intentional interior architecture and design practices.
- Launching and promoting World Interiors Day
  
  Launched IFI World Interiors Day as a global initiative to recognize and promote the value of interior architecture and design, organizing annual observances such as the 2021 event.
- Producing and disseminating position papers and policy frameworks
  
  Produces and publishes at least two position papers annually on critical issues in interior design. Established and revised the IFI Interior Architecture/Design Education Policy as a global benchmark for education standards.
- Promoting the economic value of interior design
  
  Advocates for the economic benefits of good design by advancing long-term efficiency and cost reduction in built-environment projects, highlighting the financial impact of professional interior architecture and design.

financials · form 990 · fy2023

revenue

Total revenue$130K

Contributions & grants$32K25%

Program service revenue$98K75%

Investment income$00%

Other revenue$0

expenses

Total expenses$153K

Program expenses77%

Admin / overhead23%

Fundraising0%

Salaries & benefits$0

Grants paid out$0

Largest expense lineProfessional Fees

balance sheet

Total assets$20K

Cash$20K

Investments$0

Liabilities$280K

Net assets$-260K

Liquid reserves1.6 mo

4 years on record · 2020–2023 · YoY revenue +15.3%

leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2023

Who runs it

paid leadership · 1

Name	Title	Hours/wk	Compensation
TESSA BARTHELMY	TREASURER	20	$12K

board members · 10

ARTHUR GUIMARAES — DIRECTOR
EMRAH KAYMAK — PRESIDENT
JASON HORTON — DIRECTOR
JOE CHAN — DIRECTOR
RAJESH SHAH — DIRECTOR
SEZIN HATICE TANRIOVER — DIRECTOR
SHASHI CAAN — CEO
TATU AHLROOS — PRESIDENT-EL
TITI OGUFERE — PAST PRESIDE
VICTORIA PLASENCIA — DIRECTOR

relationships · 25

Who they work with

ACG-Media Partner — Media partner of IFI, publishing home-related magazines in Malaysia
Cruise & Ferry Interiors Partner — Media partner of IFI, focusing on passenger ship interiors
DESIGNWIRE Partner — Strategic media partner for IFI’s Global Awards Program (IFI GAP)
Design Diffusion News Partner — Media partner of IFI, reporting on Italian and international design from Milan
Essential Interiors Group Partner — Media partner of IFI, promoting urban and contemporary African design
ICFF + WantedDesign Manhattan Partner — Collaborative partner of IFI in 2023
IFI LEADS ASIA 2024 Network — Hosted and promoted speakers for the IFI LEADS ASIA 2024 event, indicating organizational leadership and coordination.
IFI Members Network — Global network of interior design professionals and organizations.
IFI sponsors Funder — Organizations that provide financial or in-kind support to IFI programs and initiatives.
Indesign Media Asia Pacific Partner — Media partner of IFI, serving as a leading resource on architecture and design in the Asia Pacific
International Council of Graphic Design Associations Partner — Co-hosted the first joint congress in Helsinki in 1981 with Icograda, fostering long-term collaboration.
International Federation of Interior Architects / Designers Network — Membership organization representing professional practitioners, design firms, educational institutions, government institutions, design promoters, and national associations in the Interior Architecture/Design discipline.
Latin American Associations Partner — Collaborates with Latin American associations to advance the interior architecture and design profession.
Mexico Design Partner — Media partner of IFI, sharing architecture and design projects from Mexico
NeoCon Partner — Collaborative partner of IFI in 2023
Plus Publishing Co. Ltd. Partner — Co-published IFI Yearbook - International Interiors Annual Volumes I and II in 2003 and 2005.
Shaw Contract Partner — Main sponsor of the IFI LEADS 2022 event.
Shaw Contract Partner — Title sponsor of IFI LEADS 2022, collaborating to advance the societal impact of design globally.
UNESCO Government — Obtained a relationship with UNESCO in 1980 to advance interior design education and establish IFI as an international non-governmental organization.
United Nations Government — Developed a close alliance with the United Nations through the establishment of IFI’s permanent Secretariat in New York in 2015.
World Design Organization-WDO Partner — Collaborated with Icsid (now World Design Organization-WDO) on joint congresses starting in 1981, leading to ongoing collaboration.
World-Architects Partner — Media partner of IFI, advocating quality in architecture through a professional network
associated industries and manufacturers Partner — Industry and manufacturing partners connected with IFI to support programs and professional development in interior architecture and design.
members’ members Network — Individuals affiliated through member organizations who contribute to the IFI community and its global initiatives.
most established associations, organizations and universities of Interiors worldwide Network — Global network of leading interior design associations, organizations, and universities collaborating with IFI to advance the discipline.

strategies · 4

How they approach the work

Named approaches extracted from this org’s sources. Where others share an approach, follow it to see the full set of orgs running it.

Global Consensus-Building Through Dialogue and Advocacy

methodology: global_consensus_building
By facilitating global dialogue, roundtables, and consensus-building across countries and professional groups, the organization strengthens the collective advocacy and shared understanding of interior architecture/design, because unified international perspectives amplify impact and elevate the profession’s role in society.
Human-Centered Design for Well-Being

methodology: human-centered_design
By advocating for interior design that prioritizes human needs and well-being, the organization improves quality of life and civil society, because design is a vehicle for human betterment and productive improvement.
Knowledge Exchange and Professional Network Development

methodology: knowledge_exchange_and_professional_development
By fostering international knowledge exchange, regional collaboration, and high-profile events, the organization strengthens the global interior design profession, because professional development and network building increase innovation, standards, and visibility.
Universal Design for Inclusion and Independence

methodology: universal-design
By applying Universal Design principles, the organization makes built environments accessible and usable for all people regardless of age or ability, thereby promoting independence, inclusion, and social equity, because accessibility is foundational to humane and effective design.