Sold-out gala breaks record for scholarship fundraising – Home Textiles Today
Sold-out gala breaks record for scholarship fundraising
Home Textiles Today Staff //News & Commentary//September 24, 2025
New York – The annual HTT/HFPA Foundation market gala far exceed expectations – not only in turnout but also in the amount of funds raised for the foundation’s scholarship program.
“The numbers tell a story that frankly surprised even me,” said Brian Delp, president of sales & global licensing (North America) at Himatsingka and head of the foundation’s scholarship program.
He added, “In a year when everyone expected less, when budgets tightened and priorities shifted, our industry raised $68,000 – more than we have ever raised before. Not just a little more, but significantly more than last year’s $55,000. That is not just generosity; that is defiance in the face of a business landscape that keeps signaling us to look out only for ourselves.”
He noted that last year’s fundraising resulted in the foundation’s largest grants ever, with $40,000 going to more than 55 students at the Fashion Institute of Technology and undergraduate programs at Thomas Jefferson University in Textile Design, Fashion Design, and Fashion Merchandising & Management.
“Real students with real dreams who are now closer to building careers in our industry,” said Delp.
The annual gala took place Sept. 17 at the Harvard Club of New York. The evening featured the 2025 Home Excellence Awards. Honorees included:
In addition to money raised from advanced ticket sales and an on-site raffle, the scholarship fund was fortified by sponsorships from a host of home textiles suppliers as well as businesses affiliated with the industry.
Sanitized was the headline sponsor of the HFPA fundraiser. Supima was the Platinum sponsor of the Home Excellence Awards.
Pearl sponsors included Lichtenberg and Gordon Brothers.
Gold sponsors included Loftex, Trident, Himatsingka, JLL, Milberg Factors and Revman.
Silver sponsors included 1888 Mills, American Textile Company, Avanti, Blue Ridge Home Fashions, CBIZ, Ciclo, Cotton Incorporated, Klear Vu, Mohawk Home, Lush Decor, Natco Home, and Welspun. Rush was a Bronze sponsor.
The annual event will return in 2026 during the fall New York Home Fashions Market. The date is expected to be announced next spring.
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