named programs · 7 · from sources
What they call their work
Designers Lighting Forum of New York Student Achievement Award
Two $5,000 annual awards funded by DLFNY, rotating among five lighting programs to recognize student excellence
Edison Price Fellowship Grant
$20,000 annual grant enabling a lighting educator to further their education through industry or academic immersion
Jonas Bellovin Scholar Achievement Award
$5,000 annual award given to an outstanding student in a full lighting program, rotating among five designated schools
Jules Horton International Student Achievement Award
$5,000 annual award supporting international students pursuing lighting degrees in the U.S., established in memory of Jules Horton
Lesley Wheel Grant
$30,000 annual grant directed to architecture, engineering, technology, and interior design programs with minimal or no lighting design offerings to help integrate lighting into their curricula
Nuckolls Fund Grant
$30,000 annual grant awarded since 1989 to support the development and delivery of innovative new or expanded lighting courses at the college level
Teachers of Lighting Workshop (TOLW)
Workshop providing technical and instructional development for lighting educators, supported by the Illuminating Engineering Society and corporate sponsors
activities · 3 groups
What they do
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Design and Architecture Education Support 3 activities
- Funding college-level lighting education programsProvides annual grants to support the development and delivery of innovative new or expanded college-level courses in lighting design, with a focus on institutions that have established or are building lighting curricula. Since 1989, the organization has awarded a $30,000 annual grant for this purpose.
- Funding introductory lighting curricula at collegesSupports the creation and expansion of introductory lighting design programs at colleges and universities, particularly those with minimal or no existing lighting curriculum in architecture, engineering, technology, and interior design. Awards a $30,000 annual grant for this purpose, previously known as the Lesley Wheel Introductory Lighting Program Grant.
- Supporting curriculum development in architectural lighting designFacilitates the development of courses and curricula in architectural lighting design, including introducing lighting education into continuing education programs and enabling institutions like Parsons School of Design to offer the first master's degree in lighting design. Shares developed curriculum and teaching aids with the broader lighting education community.
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Industry-Specific Student Scholarships and Competitions 2 activities
- Funding professional development for lighting educatorsProvides annual fellowships to support lighting educators pursuing professional development through industry or academic placements. Awards a $20,000 annual fellowship, originally established as the Edison Price Fellowship Grant in 1999.
- Funding student achievement in lighting studiesPresents four annual awards to students for outstanding achievement in lighting education, including domestic and international students. Awards include the $5,000 Jonas Bellovin Scholar Achievement Award and the Jules Horton International Student Achievement Award of $5,000 annually to international students studying in the U.S. The program is funded by a 20-year endowment established in 2014 and will continue through 2035.
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Uncategorized 2 activities
- Funding innovative special projects in lighting educationAwards the Jeffrey A. Milham Catalyst Grant of $50,000 every ten years to support groundbreaking initiatives that advance lighting education. The grant was established in 2020 as a decennial award for transformative programs.
- Providing professional development for lighting design educatorsOffers the Teachers of Lighting Workshop (TOLW), a program providing technical and instructional development for educators in lighting design programs. The workshop is scheduled for June 2026.
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financials · form 990 · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$247K
Contributions & grants$18K8%
Program service revenue$00%
Investment income$228K93%
Other revenue$0
expenses
Total expenses$134K
Program expenses53%
Admin / overhead47%
Fundraising0%
Salaries & benefits$34K
Grants paid out$71K
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$2.91M
Cash$32K
Investments$2.87M
Liabilities$0
Net assets$2.91M
Liquid reserves258.9 mo
6 years on record · 2019–2024 · YoY revenue +6.1%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024
Who runs it
board members · 10
- BARBARA WEINREICH — BOARD MEMBER
- BRIAN STACY — TREASURER
- CONOR SAMPSON — TRUSTEE
- DAN BLITZER — PRESIDENT
- EDWARD BARTHOLOMEW — BOARD MEMBER
- ERIN SPECK — SECRETARY
- MARY BETH GOTTI — BOARD MEMBER
- RANDY REID — BOARD MEMBER
- REBECCA HADLEY-CATTER — BOARD MEMBER
- TOM BUTTERS — TRUSTEE
relationships · 26
Who they work with
- Bellovin family foundation Funder — Provided a $200,000 pledge to The Nuckolls Fund in memory of Jonas Bellovin to establish the Jonas Bellovin Scholar Achievement Award.
- Board of Directors Government — Board includes representatives from the lighting industry and academic community who evaluate grant submissions
- Designers Lighting Forum of New York Funder — Primary contributor providing $175,000 to establish a 20-year program of Student Achievement Awards.
- Designers Lighting Forum of New York Partner — Collaborates to support formal lighting education through contributions to universities, design schools, and national funds.
- Edison Price Network — Fellowship grant named in honor of Edison Price to support professional development for lighting educators.
- Fashion Institute of Technology/SUNY Network — Board member Barbara Weinreich is an assistant professor at this institution.
- George Washington University Network — Board member Erin Speck is affiliated with the Corcoran School of the Arts and Design at this institution.
- HLB Lighting Design Inc. Partner — Provided a $200,000 pledge to establish the Jules Horton International Student Achievement Award in memory of Jules Horton.
- Illuminating Engineering Society of North America Network — Partner organization dedicated to advancing knowledge and disseminating information to improve the lighted environment for societal benefit.
- International Association of Lighting Designers Network — Partner organization that promotes the lighting profession through education, advocacy, and professional practices.
- International Association of Lighting Designers (IALD) Partner — Lesley Wheel helped form the IALD and initiated programs such as the IALD internship program and the Lighting Industry Resource Council (LIRC).
- Jeffrey A. Milham Network — Catalyst Grant named in honor of Jeffrey A. Milham, awarded every 10 years to support innovative funding ideas in lighting education.
- LEDucation Partner — Partner organization that provides a marketplace for solid-state lighting innovations and accredited education seminars, with proceeds supporting grants, scholarships, and lighting programs.
- Lesley Wheel Network — Grant named in honor of Lesley Wheel to support programs with minimal or no lighting design curriculum.
- Lightfair International Network — Partner organization that hosts the world’s largest annual architectural and commercial lighting trade show and conference.
- New York School of Interior Design Network — Board member Daniel Blitzer is faculty at this institution.
- Parsons School of Design Partner — Collaborated to develop and introduce a lighting curriculum leading to a master's degree in lighting design.
- Parsons The New School for Design Partner — Partner institution in the Jonas Bellovin Scholar Achievement Award program, nominating outstanding students for the award.
- Pennsylvania State University Partner — Partner institution in the Jonas Bellovin Scholar Achievement Award program, nominating outstanding students for the award.
- Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute Partner — Partner institution in the Jonas Bellovin Scholar Achievement Award program, nominating outstanding students for the award.
- The Illuminating Engineering Society Partner — Partnering to support the Teachers of Lighting Workshop (TOLW).
- The National Council on Qualifications for the Lighting Professions Network — Partner organization that establishes certification standards for the lighting industry through peer-reviewed education, experience, and examination requirements.
- University of Colorado Boulder Network — Board member Sandra L. Vásconez is a teaching professor at this institution.
- University of Colorado at Boulder Partner — Partner institution in the Jonas Bellovin Scholar Achievement Award program, nominating outstanding students for the award.
- University of Nebraska at Lincoln Partner — Partner institution in the Jonas Bellovin Scholar Achievement Award program, nominating outstanding students for the award.
- interNational Association of Lighting Management Companies Network — Partner organization committed to promoting professional lighting management techniques and ethical industry growth.
strategies · 3
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.
- Education-to-Industry Engagement Pathwaymethodology: education-to-industry-engagement-pathwayBy investing in student education and recognition, the Fund cultivates long-term industry engagement, because early exposure and validation of lighting as a critical design element produce graduates who carry a deeper appreciation and commitment into professional practice.
- Innovation-Driven Competitive Grantmaking to Advance Lighting Educationmethodology: innovation-driven grantmakingBy funding innovative, faculty-proposed educational initiatives through a competitive and rigorous review process, the Fund generates transformative change in lighting pedagogy, because competitive selection and support for novel approaches catalyze higher-impact, scalable models in academic settings.
- Integration of Lighting Education into Core Design Curriculamethodology: integration-into-general-design-educationBy embedding lighting education within general design, architecture, and interiors programs, the Fund broadens student understanding and appreciation of light beyond specialized tracks, because foundational integration leads to more widespread and sustained professional competence in architectural lighting.