Building Together: Celebrating the 2025 AIA Trust Component Grant Recipients
For twenty‑five years, the AIA Trust Component Grant Program—made possible through the generous support of Victor and CNA, providers of the AIA Trust Professional Liability, Business Owners, and Cyber Liability programs—has strengthened the AIA community by investing directly in its components.
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Each year, components across the country develop programs that expand professional knowledge, support member success, and advance architectural practice. The AIA Trust Component Grants recognize and help bring those ideas to life.
Since its inception, the Component Grant Program has been guided by a clear purpose: to strengthen the capacity of AIA components to serve their members and communities through new or significantly enhanced initiatives. The grants are intended to spark leadership development, foster effective management, and advance professional practice in ways that create lasting impact. Each year’s recipients reflect that spirit—transforming thoughtful ideas into meaningful programs that enrich the profession.
The 2025 submissions reflected remarkable creativity and commitment. After thoughtful review, five components were selected to receive $3,000 each in support of initiatives that demonstrate leadership, resilience, and a deep understanding of member needs. The Trust also extends appreciation to all components that applied—each proposal reflected the spirit of service and innovation that defines our community.
AIA Honolulu – Resilient by Design: Hawai‘i Building Code & Hazard Mitigation Training Series
AIA Honolulu’s four-part Resilient by Design series will help architects, engineers, and design professionals across the islands strengthen resilience through education on building codes and hazard mitigation. In collaboration with the International Code Council and local building officials, the program will cover natural hazards, sea-level rise, and risk management—critical topics for Hawai‘i’s built environment. By making this training widely accessible across the islands, the program exemplifies how components lead with knowledge and collaboration.
AIA Maryland – Empowering Small Architecture Firms: Social Media & Business Etiquette for Success
AIA Maryland’s three-part workshop series supports small-firm leaders and solo practitioners in enhancing communication, professional etiquette, and digital outreach. With sessions on social-media strategy, client interaction, and risk mitigation—developed in partnership with legal and insurance professionals—this program strengthens small-firm capacity and long-term viability. It’s a thoughtful example of how components listen to their members and create practical, forward-looking solutions.
AIA Northern Virginia – “So, You Want to Start Your Own Firm?”
AIA Northern Virginia developed this full-day program to provide architects with clear, actionable guidance on starting and managing their own firms. Covering business structure, marketing, and work–life balance, the event helps members remain in practice during periods of change and uncertainty. It reflects the kind of timely, member-driven education that keeps architects connected, informed, and equipped to lead.
AIA Puerto Rico – Women in Architecture Committee: Working Together to Lead with Vision
The Women in Architecture Committee of AIA Puerto Rico is expanding programs that foster mentorship, licensure support, and leadership development among women architects. With a focus on community-building and long-term sustainability, the initiative includes relaunching its website, hosting new networking and educational events, and documenting the contributions of women to Puerto Rico’s architectural legacy. The work underscores how components cultivate inclusion and equity to strengthen the profession as a whole.
AIA San Francisco – Firm Foundations: Building Smart Business Practices
AIA San Francisco’s six-part Firm Foundations series will equip small and mid-size firms with practical knowledge in legal, financial, HR, and marketing topics, as well as emerging technologies. Held at the Center for Architecture + Design, these sessions will bring together experts and peers to build stronger, future-ready firms. It’s a model of how components can provide the kind of hands-on, high-value education that supports both business resilience and professional growth.
Each of these initiatives began as an idea within a component—brought to life by members and staff working together to meet local needs. Across the AIA network, component leaders devote creativity, expertise, and countless hours to designing programs that serve their peers and strengthen the profession.
Together, these efforts highlight the collective strength of AIA components: when members share ideas and resources, they create lasting benefits for the profession and the communities they serve.
The AIA Trust also extends gratitude to the volunteer jury members who reviewed each proposal and to all components that applied this year. Every submission reflected dedication to member service and the shared belief that architects are stronger when they learn and lead together.
The AIA Trust encourages all components to consider applying in future grant cycles to share their ideas, strengthen their programs, and continue building a culture of collaboration and innovation across the Institute.
Congratulations to the 2025 grant recipients—and to all who will benefit from these thoughtful, member-focused initiatives in the year ahead.