In one of summer’s most anticipated events for the Michigan architecture and construction world, MAF’s annual Auction for Education was held during the 2023 AIA Michigan/AGC Mid-summer conference on Mackinaw Island. Thanks to the support of the bidders, MAF raised $19,365 at the auction, exceeding expectations. It was the second of two annual MAF Auction for Education events; the first of the two auction events, which was held during MAF’s 2023 Fore a Great Cause golf outing in May, raised $5,195, for a combined 2023 Auction for Education total of $24,560.
Each year, thanks to generous donations from MAF Board Members, businesses, and construction partners, MAF Auction for Education items for bid included hotel stays, dining experiences, concert tickets, unique collectibles, and fine wines.
MAF’s Auction for Education helps provide financial support for MAF’s architecture-based K-12 educational resources, including ‘Architecture: it’s Elementary’ and ‘ArchiTreks’, which creatively engage children through hands-on activities and videos, as well as an educational curriculum. It also benefits MAF’s Damian Farrell Architecture Awareness Grants, which help fund architecture-related programming that enriches Michigan communities and its residents. The grants have supported lectures, books, films, events, design competitions, and educational programs, including NOMA (National Association of Minority Architects) Detroit’s Project Pipeline Camps, created to help expose minority and under-represented high school students throughout Michigan to careers in architecture.
“Both of MAF’s 2023 Auction for Education events were huge successes,” said MAF Auction for Education chair Chuck Lewis, AIA. “The auction items were very appealing to our bidders, who made generous and competitive bids for the items. We greatly appreciate the generosity of the bidders and donors for both of our 2023 auction events, as well as the dedicated committee members who worked tirelessly to make every aspect of the auctions seamless.”
MAF’s Auction for Education committee sends a special thanks to each of its 2023 auction donors:
Chuck also wants to thank the other members of MAF’s 2023 Auction for Education Committee: Jamie Piercy, co-chair; Bob Daverman; Jeff Hausman; Brandon Kinsey; Doug Kueffner; Tom Mathison; Kim Montague; Cindy Pozolo; Amy Scoby; and Chuck Sidor.