LA FOUNDATION
LAF is a Washington, D.C.-based non-profit foundation, founded in 1966, that supports the landscape architecture profession through scholarships (e.g., 97 Olmsted Scholars, $168,500 in awards in 2026), research, and leadership programs, funded by donations, corporate sponsorships, and ASLA in-kind support.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1966
- HeadquartersWashington, United States
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B and B2C
- OfferingServices
What LA FOUNDATION does
The Landscape Architecture Foundation (LAF) is a Washington, D.C.-based non-profit foundation founded in 1966 that serves as the philanthropic, research, and leadership arm of the U.S. landscape architecture profession. It funds and administers the Olmsted Scholars Program (which honored 97 students in 2026), a portfolio of named scholarships (awarding $168,500 to 25 recipients in 2026), and research initiatives conducted in collaboration with academic and professional bodies. LAF's core deliverables are programmatic — student recognition, direct financial aid, and sponsored research — rather than technology products or commercial services.
The foundation's business model is that of a traditional 501(c)(3) discipline foundation: revenue is generated from individual donations, corporate sponsorships from design and landscape architecture firms (including Landscape Forms, Sasaki, and SmithGroup), event-related income, and significant in-kind operational support from the American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA), which contributes $125,000+ annually. Strategic research and curriculum partnerships with CELA and the McHarg Center extend the foundation's reach into academic programs. LAF occupies an effectively monopolistic position as the only national foundation dedicated exclusively to landscape architecture, with no public revenue disclosure available and no visible technology or AI capability layer.
LA FOUNDATION firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- LA FOUNDATION
- Legal name
- Landscape Architecture Foundation
- Website
- https://lafoundation.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1966
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- LAF is a Washington, D.C.-based non-profit foundation, founded in 1966, that supports the landscape architecture profession through scholarships (e.g., 97 Olmsted Scholars, $168,500 in awards in 2026), research, and leadership programs, funded by donations, corporate sponsorships, and ASLA in-kind support.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
LA FOUNDATION industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Non-Profit Foundation Services for Landscape Architecture
- NAICS
- Grantmaking Foundations (813211), Religious, Grantmaking, Civic, Professional, and Similar Organizations (813)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Private Foundations (BPAGAKAA)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Education Grantmaking Foundations (BPAGAKAK)
Keywords
Where LA FOUNDATION is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Washington
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
LA FOUNDATION business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B and B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others
Revenue model
- Individual Donations: LAF relies on donations from individuals who provide financial support to fulfill its mission of supporting the preservation, improvement, and enhancement of the environment through landscape architecture.
- Corporate Sponsorship: Corporate sponsors including Landscape Forms, Sasaki Associates, Ironsmith, DuMor, Smithgroup, Brightview, OLIN, and EDSA provide financial support. ASLA provides over $125,000 of in-kind support annually.
- Event Revenue: Revenue generated from event tickets including the Annual Benefit and Gala Dinner. Proceeds support LAF programs and initiatives.
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels1 record
Marketing channels8 records
LA FOUNDATION product offering
Product offeringCore offering
LAF is a non-profit foundation that supports the landscape architecture profession through three interconnected pillars: research, scholarships, and leadership. The foundation awards scholarships and fellowships to students and professionals, funds research through grants and case study investigations, and convenes the profession through summits and declarations addressing climate change, biodiversity, and equity.
Product overview
The Landscape Architecture Foundation (LAF) is a non-profit organization offering a portfolio of interconnected programs rather than a unified software product. Its core offerings include: research programs (Case Study Investigation, Deb Mitchell Research Grant, Landscape Performance Series), scholarship programs (Student Scholarships, LAF Ignite), leadership programs (LAF Fellowship for Innovation and Leadership, Olmsted Scholars Program, LAF Honors awards), and convening initiatives (Future Now Summit, Green New Deal Superstudio, Grounding the Green New Deal). The foundation also provides educational resources through recorded webinars and the Landscape Architecture Research Exchange. These programs work together to advance the landscape architecture profession through funding, recognition, knowledge generation, and community building.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- LAF: Abbreviated name for Landscape Architecture Foundation used in communications and branding
- Green New Deal Superstudio
- New Landscape Declaration
- Future Now Summit
- Landscape Architecture Research Exchange
- LandscapePerformance.org
Products and services
- Case Study Investigation (CSI) Program Research program in which faculty-student research teams collaborate with design firms to assess and document the performance of exemplary landscape projects, producing Case Study Briefs that quantify environmental, social, and economic benefits for the landscape architecture profession.
- Deb Mitchell Research Grant Annual research grant funding projects that advance landscape architecture design practice, awarded to researchers conducting practice-relevant studies.
- Landscape Performance Series Knowledge resource documenting 200+ built landscape projects with quantified environmental, economic, and social benefits, providing evidence-based tools for the landscape architecture profession on the LandscapePerformance.org website.
- Student Scholarships Portfolio of named scholarship awards for undergraduate and graduate landscape architecture students, totaling $168,500 distributed to 25+ recipients annually across programs including the LAF Honor Scholarship, ASLA Council of Fellows Scholarships, EDSA Minority Scholarship, Kenneth R. Brooks MLA Research Scholarship, and LandDesign EDI Scholarship.
- LAF Ignite Scholarship and mentorship program supporting students from underrepresented groups in landscape architecture, pairing scholarship recipients with practicing landscape architecture professionals for career guidance and mentorship.
- LAF Fellowship for Innovation and Leadership $25,000 fellowship supporting senior, mid-career, and emerging landscape architecture professionals in pursuing innovative ideas and leadership projects, with cohorts that include senior-level practitioners, mid-career professionals, and recent Olmsted Scholars.
- Olmsted Scholars Program Premier national leadership recognition program for landscape architecture students, awarding $25,000 graduate and $15,000 undergraduate scholarships to exceptional student leaders, with recognition at the LAF Board of Directors.
- Landscape Architecture Research Exchange Research initiative connecting landscape architecture professionals and academics around shared research interests through webinars, virtual events, and video submissions, developed in partnership with the Council of Educators in Landscape Architecture (CELA).
Quantifiable outcome
- 97 students honored as Olmsted Scholars in 2026
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use LA FOUNDATION
Customer profileNamed customers4 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
LA FOUNDATION technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
LA FOUNDATION partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
20 partnerships are on record, tiered major, core and minor.
- National Building MuseummajorPartnered with LAF to present the Grounding the Green New Deal Summit on April 9, 2022 at the National Building Museum in Washington, DC. The summit was part of the Museum's Climate Action Weekend.
- American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA)coreASLA provides over $125,000 of in-kind support annually to LAF. ASLA is a key partner in major initiatives including the Green New Deal Superstudio and Grounding the Green New Deal Summit.
- Weitzman School of Design McHarg CentercorePartner in the Green New Deal Superstudio and Grounding the Green New Deal Summit. Billy Fleming, Wilks Family Director of the McHarg Center, was a featured speaker at the summit.
- Center for Resilient Cities and Landscapes (CRCL)corePartner in the Green New Deal Superstudio and Grounding the Green New Deal Summit. Kate Orff, Founding Principal of SCAPE and Director of CRCL, was a key organizer and presenter.
- Council of Educators in Landscape Architecture (CELA)corePartner in the Green New Deal Superstudio and Grounding the Green New Deal Summit. CELA also partners with LAF on the Landscape Architecture Research Exchange initiative to connect professionals and academics around shared research interests.
- Landscape FormsmajorCorporate sponsor of LAF. Landscape Forms also partners with LAF on the Landscape Forms Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Scholarship and the Landscape Forms Scholarship in Memory of Peter Lindsay Schaudt, FASLA ($5,000). Peter Schaudt was a dedicated member of Landscape Forms' Board of Directors.
- Sasaki AssociatesmajorCorporate sponsor of LAF. Sasaki has participated as a General Sponsor for the Grounding the Green New Deal Summit.
- SmithGroupmajorCorporate sponsor of LAF and Lead Sponsor of LAF's Landscape Performance Series. SmithGroup professionals have participated as reviewers for the Green New Deal Superstudio.
- BrightviewmajorCorporate sponsor of LAF. Brightview served as a Supporting Sponsor for the Grounding the Green New Deal Summit.
- OLINmajorCorporate sponsor of LAF.
- EDSAmajorCorporate sponsor of LAF. EDSA partners with LAF on the EDSA Minority Scholarship.
- DuMormajorLead Sponsor of LAF's Landscape Performance Series.
- IronsmithmajorCorporate sponsor of LAF.
- KOMPANmajorLead Sponsor of LAF's Landscape Performance Series.
- LandDesignmajorCorporate sponsor of LAF. LandDesign established the LandDesign Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Scholarship (two $5,000 winners) to assist BIPOC students in landscape architecture.
- VectorworksminorSponsor of LAF webinars including Design Research and Responsive Landscapes webinars.
- Maglin Site FurnitureminorSponsor of LAF webinars including Design Research webinar and the Landscape Architecture Research Exchange initiative.
- JJR Roy FundmajorFounding Partner of LAF's Landscape Performance Series.
- Design WorkshopmajorAnnual Sponsor of LAF's Landscape Performance Series.
- SWA GroupmajorAnnual Sponsor of LAF's Landscape Performance Series.
Scale indicators9 records
Recent moves5 records
Expansion highlights4 records
LA FOUNDATION competitors and assessment
Company assessmentEmerging players
- National Building Museum: A nonprofit institution that convened the Grounding the Green New Deal Summit with LAF. Its programming on climate, design, and policy overlaps with LAF's mission and convening activities, making it a relevant peer in the built-environment nonprofit space.
- Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center: A nonprofit research and education center focused on native plants and sustainable landscapes. It shares LAF's emphasis on landscape performance, environmental stewardship, and education, with comparable research and convening functions.
- American Society of Interior Designers (ASID) Foundation: The foundation associated with ASID, focused on interior design research, education, and scholarships. As a design-discipline foundation, it mirrors LAF's structure of scholarship, research, and leadership programs but operates in a parallel design field.
Broad incumbents
- AIA Foundation: The philanthropic arm of the American Institute of Architects, focused on architecture education, research, and equity. It mirrors LAF's structure as a professionally-aligned foundation serving a related design discipline with scholarship and research programs.
- Urban Land Institute (ULI): A larger nonprofit focused on land use, real estate, and urban development. ULI overlaps with LAF's audiences in landscape architecture and urban planning, and both organizations engage corporate sponsors and produce research, though ULI's scope is broader.
- Trust for Public Land: A national nonprofit that conserves land and creates parks. It shares LAF's emphasis on the environmental and social benefits of landscape, with overlapping corporate sponsors and parallels in research, advocacy, and grantmaking models.
Direct peers
- Architecture Foundation: A nonprofit dedicated to engaging the public with architecture through research, advocacy, and education. Like LAF, it is a discipline-specific foundation that convenes practitioners, funds research, and runs public-facing programs.
- The Cultural Landscape Foundation (TCLF): A nonprofit focused on educating and engaging the public about landscape architecture as a cultural endeavor. TCLF shares LAF's mission of advancing the profession through education, advocacy, and recognition, with overlapping audiences in design professionals and students.
- Council of Educators in Landscape Architecture (CELA): The academic counterpart organization for landscape architecture educators. CELA partners with LAF on the Landscape Architecture Research Exchange and co-sponsors flagship events like the Green New Deal Superstudio, making it a directly comparable peer in the research and education ecosystem.
- American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA): The primary professional association for landscape architects in the U.S. ASLA is LAF's closest institutional partner and provides over $125,000 of in-kind support annually. Both organizations serve the same professional community with overlapping programming in advocacy, education, and recognition.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks3 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
LA FOUNDATION social profiles
Digital presenceLA FOUNDATION financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
LA FOUNDATION leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
LA FOUNDATION funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
LA FOUNDATION M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about LA FOUNDATION
What does LA FOUNDATION do?
LAF is a non-profit foundation that supports the landscape architecture profession through three interconnected pillars: research, scholarships, and leadership. The foundation awards scholarships and fellowships to students and professionals, funds research through grants and case study investigations, and convenes the profession through summits and declarations addressing climate change, biodiversity, and equity.
Is LA FOUNDATION a public or private company?
LA FOUNDATION is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was LA FOUNDATION founded?
LA FOUNDATION was founded in 1966. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is LA FOUNDATION based?
LA FOUNDATION is headquartered in Washington, United States, in the North America region.
How does LA FOUNDATION make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Individual Donations are the primary driver. The others are corporate Sponsorship and event Revenue.
Who are LA FOUNDATION's main competitors?
Emerging players on record are National Building Museum, Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center and American Society of Interior Designers (ASID) Foundation. Broad incumbents are AIA Foundation, Urban Land Institute (ULI) and Trust for Public Land. Direct peers are Architecture Foundation, The Cultural Landscape Foundation (TCLF), Council of Educators in Landscape Architecture (CELA) and American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA).
Does LA FOUNDATION have an API?
No public API is recorded for LA FOUNDATION.
What industry is LA FOUNDATION in?
LA FOUNDATION's product category is Non-Profit Foundation Services for Landscape Architecture. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAGAKAA, Private Foundations, with a secondary code of BPAGAKAK, Education Grantmaking Foundations. Its NAICS code is 813211.