Two apartment associations are using grants to deliver inclusive education that grows the industry’s strength.
The National Apartment Association’s (NAA) Innovation in Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (IDEI) Grant experienced renewed interest in 2025, receiving a record number of applications that reflect a growing interest in advancing innovative initiatives in search of funding.
As the industry recognizes those who have forged new ideas, it also looks back at the progress made by prior IDEI Grant recipients, including the St. Louis Apartment Association (SLAA) and the Arizona Multi-housing Association (AMA).
In 2024, funding played a critical role in enabling SLAA to introduce meaningful and engaging Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) programming for its members. This was a new initiative for the organization, and the budget could not support the cost of high-caliber speakers on its own nor would registration fees cover the expenses. The grant made it possible to bring in talented, impactful speakers who helped build a foundation for long-term DEI engagement in the local rental housing industry.
While SLAA’s first DEI program in 2024 had lower-than-expected attendance and resulted in a financial loss, the feedback from participants was overwhelmingly positive. Several property managers and regional leaders said they wanted to see what topics would be discussed before committing to sending their teams. After experiencing the session and hearing from the speaker, many said they plan to bring their entire teams to future programs. This is an encouraging sign of growing interest and support and further proof that exposure and education are key to long-term engagement.
“Thanks to the grant, SLAA was able to take the first steps in building a sustainable DEI initiative that can grow in the years ahead,” says Mandi Randell, CAPS, Association Executive for the St. Louis Apartment Association.
This testimonial underscores the significance and impact of the IDEI Grant within the industry as well as for local communities. Establishing credibility and supporting the development of new content are central to the grant’s purpose. NAA values innovative efforts that deliver high-quality content to membership.
The IDEI Grant also played an instrumental role in bringing to life a groundbreaking, six-module DEI course and companion toolkit developed by AMA.
The purpose of the project was to create a Workforce DEI Certificate Program and Toolkit that would move beyond surface-level discussions, focusing instead on practical implementation strategies in hiring, policy and retention. The IDEI Grant helped turn this vision into a reality, enabling the development of engaging, accessible content informed by real-time member feedback and rooted in adult learning theory.
The course and toolkit launched as a live webinar series and were adapted into an on-demand version, allowing participants to learn at their own pace. This flexible delivery model, supported by a downloadable workbook and a highly interactive online toolkit, ensured members could engage with the material in ways most meaningful to them.
Overcoming the inherent challenges of creating a DEI program—especially in a space as sensitive and nuanced as workplace culture—required thoughtful planning and open dialogue. The task force represented a rich cross-section of demographics and professional roles. This approach resonated across varying perspectives and helped foster broader engagement.
To date, more than 29 member companies have accessed the course, and the toolkit has been viewed more than 460 times—a strong indicator of its reach and relevance. “These early successes affirm not just the need for such a program but the power of strategic support in making it possible,” says Jenica Hickey, Special Programs Manager, Arizona Multi-housing Association.
The funding enabled AMA to produce engaging and accessible content informed by member feedback. The statistics speak for themselves, indicating robust engagement and underscoring the value of strategic support for inclusive initiatives.
Having learned from the experiences of previous recipients and observed the positive impact this grant has had on their organizations through effective educational initiatives, SLAA and AMA remain committed to advancing this progress. The examples set by these organizations illustrate the broad potential of the grant for companies, associations and programs alike.
NAA encourages other organizations to explore how the IDEI Grant can help bring their ideas to life. NAA remains dedicated to supporting innovative strategies that promote professionalism across the industry through inclusive education.
For more, visit naahq.org/scholarships/innovation-di-grant.
Tiana Heath is NAAEI’s Senior Manager, Industry Relations.