The Female Design Council Announces Third Edition of FDC Grant for Women Designers of Color

The Female Design Council (FDC) is proud to announce the third edition of The Female Design Council Grant. Thanks to the generous support of 1stDibs and NICOLEHOLLIS, the FDC’s grant initiative will provide $20,000 in unrestricted funding to an outstanding woman of color in interior design. The application preview went live on Monday, Dec. 9, applications will open on Jan. 7, 2025, and the winner will be announced on March 25, 2025, in celebration of Women’s History Month.

In addition to financial support, the grant will include a 12-month membership in the FDC, the premier professional network for women in design, and one-on-one mentorship from Nicole Hollis, founder of NICOLEHOLLIS and a 1stDibs 50 and AD100 interior designer. The winner will also be welcomed as a member of the 1stDibs Trade 1st program, where they enjoy a suite of benefits, including net price discounts and exclusive marketing opportunities.

Two finalists will also be recognized, each receiving a 12-month membership to the FDC. The 2024-2025 cycle marks the third edition of this biennial grant competition, established by the FDC to champion equity and inclusivity within the design industries. Open to female-identifying designers of Black, Indigenous, Latina, and Asian American Pacific Islander backgrounds, the FDC grant invites applicants from across the United States.

Beyond a cash prize, the opportunity for industry recognition and high-level mentorship has been a game-changer for a historically underrecognized group in design. Winners of previous cycles have gone on to gallery representation, high-level brand collaborations, major commercial commissions, and press accolades.

Little Wing Lee, founder of Studio & Projects interior design firm and winner of the 2022-2023 FDC Grant, noted, “I was truly honored to be the recipient of the Female Design Council Grant. Receiving incredible support and recognition was a wonderful investment in my studio. We were at an inflection point, and the FDC Grant gave me the opportunity and momentum to build and invest in future projects.”

1stDibs and NICOLEHOLLIS, both longtime corporate supporters of the FDC present the 2024-2025 edition of the Female Design Council. Nicole Holis, founder of NICOLEHOLLIS, previously underwrote the 2022-23 cycle and served as a professional mentor to the winner, and 1stDibs has partnered with the FDC on numerous initiatives to support women in design since 2018.

“1stDibs is proud to support a grant that empowers women by celebrating their achievements and providing resources to fuel creativity and drive their success in the design industry,” said Karen Silveira, Creative Director, 1stDibs. “This initiative reflects our commitment to fostering diversity and shaping a more inclusive future in design.”