I would not have been able to move forward without FCIF’s help.
- MARIBEL
2024 Report to the Industry
Charlie Dilks
CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD
The Foundation had a busy and successful year in 2024. The increase in grant applications from outside NW Georgia confirms that word of the Foundation’s work is spreading. Our fundraising efforts also continued to grow, thanks to the generous support of individuals and companies within our industry. A highlight of the year was the Foundation’s Gala at Gotham Hall in New York City, where we honored three outstanding industry leaders: Sy Cohen, Dan Frierson, and Roger Marcus. Our Board of Directors remains highly active, with many members also serving on various board committees. Throughout the year, we welcomed several new members, as we continue to build a dynamic and diverse board. We sincerely thank our entire board for their commitment to this important cause.
The Floor Covering Industry Foundation is the heart of the industry — passionately supporting individuals in our industry who face life-changing medical crises, catastrophic injuries, or severe disabilities. Because of your generosity, the Foundation provides crucial financial assistance that helps recipients regain stability and hope during the most difficult times of their lives. The Foundation’s impact goes beyond just providing aid – it strengthens the very core of our industry, showing the true power of compassion when it’s needed most. We extend our heartfelt thanks to our donors, board members, volunteers, the WFCA, and to the families who reached out. What a joy it is to witness all of us coming together to care for the backbone of our industry — our workforce.
Andrea Blackbourn
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Mission
The Floor Covering Industry Foundation helps families get back on their feet when battling catastrophic injuries, severe disabilities, or other life-altering medical crises. The 501(c)(3) charitable nonprofit assists those who have worked in the floor covering industry by providing direct grants for medical care and other basic needs.
History
In 1980, the president of the Carpet & Rug Institute was traveling for business and suffered a debilitating stroke. Leaders in the flooring industry wanted a way to help provide for him and his young bride, who were new to Dalton, Georgia, and were just getting started. From this thread of compassion, the Floor Covering Industry Foundation was knit.
The Floor Covering Industry Foundation was chartered in 1981 in Washington D.C., and the Foundation has found homes in Chicago, Illinois and Anaheim, California, before making the journey in 2016 to its current home in Dalton, Georgia, the Carpet Capital of the World. Back in 1981, three of the founding board members were from the major mills: J.B. Maffett, president of World Carpets which is now part of Mohawk; Harry I. Saul, founder of Queen Carpet, now part of Shaw Industries; and Robert E. Shaw, current owner and CEO of Engineered Floors. Larry Nagle, president of N.L. Nagle, Inc. was an original board member and still serves on the board. Nagle, Saul, Walter Guinan, and Al Wahnon drove the formation of the Foundation.
As you can see, the organization has at its roots the same leadership that ignited the floor covering industry.
What We Do
providing comfort and care
FCIF provides financial assistance for those in the industry who are battling a life-altering disability, injury, or illness. Our grants cover a variety of medical expenses and basic needs, such as housing, utilities, and food.
Our Impact
In 2024, FCIF provided grants to 65 families. Over 1,400 families have counted on FCIF in their time of need since 2003. Across the country, FCIF provides financial assistance grants to floor covering industry workers and their family members who are battling life-altering illnesses, injuries, and disabilities.
65 grants in 2024
1,400 grants since 2003
Johnny spent 27 years in the flooring industry, working his way from personnel clerk to claims specialist. But when he was diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease and later suffered a fall requiring hip surgery and months of rehab, Johnny found himself facing impossible challenges. In 2024, FCIF came to his aid, covering past-due mortgage payments, utilities, and medical care. “The Floor Covering Industry Foundation has helped me get through all of these things,” Johnny shared, expressing deep gratitude for the critical support during a very difficult time.
Meet Johnny GRANTEE
Meet Jeffrey GRANTEE
After a hernia surgery in 2022, Jeffrey, a lift truck operator with six years of experience in the flooring industry, faced a life-threatening setback. A bowel obstruction sent him back into surgery, leaving him unable to work and overwhelmed by mounting medical bills. Desperate, he turned to FCIF for help. The Foundation covered his critical medical expenses and monthly utilities, allowing him to focus on recovery. “If it weren’t for FCIF, I would have lost everything,” Jeffrey said. Thanks to the Foundation’s support, he was able to recover and return to work.
Meet Michael GRANTEE
In 2024, Michael underwent knee replacement surgery, and his recovery left him unable to work for months. With mounting bills and only one income coming in, his wife, who works in residential technical information at a manufacturing facility, was struggling to keep up. “It was hard to make it with just one income,” Michael shared. That’s when the Floor Covering Industry Foundation (FCIF) stepped in, covering costs like the mortgage, utilities, and medical bills. “I’m forever grateful to the people at FCIF for helping us through the unimaginable,” he said. Thanks to the Foundation’s support, Michael and his family could breathe easier during a tough time.
Meet Randi
Randi, a dedicated 20-year veteran of the flooring industry, was diagnosed with Stage 1 squamous cell carcinoma in 2021. After surgery and radiation, she thought she had overcome her battle with cancer, only to face a recurrence in 2024. Additional biopsies and surgeries became necessary, and the weight of mounting medical bills grew heavier. The Floor Covering Industry Foundation stepped in to ease the burden, covering essential medical expenses during this incredibly difficult period. “Thank you to FCIF for being a hand of hope as I continue to face this battle,” Randi said.
After 16 years as a dedicated tufting machine operator, Maribel’s life was turned upside down in October 2022 with a diagnosis of Grade 3 breast cancer. Suddenly, she faced not only the physical toll of treatment but also the crushing weight of financial stress. “I can truly say I would not have been able to move forward without FCIF’s help,” she shared. The Floor Covering Industry Foundation stepped in at her darkest moment—covering critical needs like her mortgage, utilities, food, and medical care. FCIF’s support didn’t just ease her burden; it gave her the strength to focus on what mattered most: fighting for her life.
Meet Maribel GRANTEE
By the Numbers
GRANTEE STATS
GRANTEES BY AGE
APPLICATIONS BY SECTOR
29% 60-74 years old
43% 45-59 years old
14% 26-44 years old
72% manufacturing 15% installation 9% other 4% retail 9% 75+ years old
5% 0-17 years old
GRANT RECIPIENTS comorbidities included
% OF FCIF GRANTEES WHO RECEIVE FUNDING FOR*
$1,101,000 $901,000 $847,000 $1,108,000 $774,000 $736,000 $601,000 $473,000 $509,000
What Your Dollars Will Fund
$100 gift
Helps cover the cost of medication for six months for a person who has a fractured ankle and is in the early stages of heart failure.
$500 gift
Provides utilities for one month for an individual who is out of work due to hernia and bowel obstruction surgery.
$1,000 gift
Provides housing for one month for an individual who is battling leukemia.
$2,500 gift
Provides two months of therapy for a child who is diagnosed with autism.
$5,000 gift
Provides handicap accessible bathroom modifications for a child who is developmentally delayed and wheelchair bound.
$10,000 gift
Provides foreclosure prevention for an individual going through stage 4 liver cancer, preventing them from being homeless.
All gifts are tax deductible, as no goods or services will be provided in exchange for your gift. Your donation is greatly appreciated.
I care about my industry co-workers.
Please put my donation to work right away to help floor covering industry workers who are suffering from catastrophic illnesses, injuries, and disabilities.
Zack Zehner
BOARD MEMBER
Chairman Of The Board, Mannington Mills, Inc.
As a new board member serving on the Grant Committee, I’ve had the privilege of seeing firsthand the incredible impact that the FCIF has on individuals from our industry. The need for these grants is undeniable, and the support we provide truly transforms and improves the lives of these families. Many talk about the flooring industry being a ‘people’ business, and the help and support provided by the FCIF is an important part of that legacy and drives that unique sense of community.
Piet Dossche
BOARD MEMBER
Dossche Holdings
It takes all of us to build a thriving flooring industry. Those of us who have been fortunate to benefit from it should be grateful and supportive of the men and women who worked in the industry and fell on hardship and are not in a financial position to take care of themselves. As a board member and serving on the Grant Committee, I see firsthand the dire needs, as well as the positive impact the FCIF has in these people’s lives. We all have the moral obligation to step up and pledge our financial support to the FCIF so their work can continue in helping those who need and deserve a helping hand.
Amie Gilmore
BOARD MEMBER Director, The International Surface Event (TISE)
I have long been aware of the FCIF and the incredible work they do. It was a great honor to join the FCIF Board in 2024, alongside a remarkable group of individuals committed to this vital cause. Witnessing the industry unite, give back, and see the tangible impact of FCIF on people’s lives is immensely rewarding. This organization truly demonstrates its value, not just through stories and financial reports, but by connecting faces to names and showing the real difference we make.
Patrick Warren
BOARD MEMBER
Vice President, Dealer Sales & Showrooms, Daltile
It is an honor and a privilege to become a board member for FCIF. This foundation represents an organization that provides much needed aid to deserving floor covering industry members.
As a nearly 30-year industry veteran, I am amazed at the level of generosity our industry provides for our own. I am committed to working with the FCIF to ensure their passion of helping others continues into the future.
Leadership and Legacy
Thank you to everyone who generously donates to improve the lives of floor covering families who are battling life-altering illnesses, severe disabilities, and catastrophic medical events. We have several giving options: payroll deduction, both one-time and recurring credit card donations, or you can make a pledge and be billed. Visit fcif.org to explore the giving options! DONOR GIVING LEVELS
Planned, Legacy, and Endowment Gifts
Your success is a testament to vision, perseverance, and purpose. Now, you have the power to leave a legacy that will uplift lives for generations through the Floor Covering Industry Foundation. Consider making a gift in perpetuity through one of these vehicles: bequests in your will, charitable remainder trusts, donor-advised funds, IRA qualified charitable distributions, life insurance, or appreciated securities. Each offers impactful, tax-efficient ways to support those in need. Your generosity can ensure no one in our industry faces hardship alone. Make your mark— not just in business, but in compassion. Your legacy will inspire others to follow your extraordinary path.
Thank you to the following for making planned and endowed gifts: William A. Gold Endowment
Laurence & Robin
Nagle Charitable Remainder Trust
Alan Greenberg Memorial Fund
Shaw Industries
2024 Gala at Gotham Hall
NEW YORK CITY
$300,000
FUNDS RAISED TO SUPPORT FLOORING WORKERS FACING UNIMAGINABLE MEDICAL SITUATIONS
HONOREES
commemorative book
Sy Cohen FOUNDER & CHAIRMAN - STANTON CARPET
Sy Cohen has been an industry fixture for more than 50 years. Cohen founded Country Carpet in 1972 and over the last four decades, Stanton grew into a decorative powerhouse, supplying over 800 carpet products across multiple brands. They have been a true pioneer and credited with being the first supplier of high-end woven products to the U.S. and Canada.
Dan Frierson
CHAIRMAN & CEO - DIXIE GROUP
For nearly six decades, Dan Frierson has been one of the flooring industry’s most prominent executives. Following in the footsteps of his father, J. Burton Frierson, Dan worked every job at the Dixie Group before being appointed CEO in 1980 and chairman in 1986. He made more than a dozen carpet-related acquisitions, helping secure Dixie’s brand as a luxury floor covering manufacturer.
Roger Marcus CHAIRMAN & CEO - AMERICAN BILTRITE
Roger Marcus has nearly 60 years industry experience and was involved in launching innovative products, including DuraStone, DuraCeramic, Ultima and ArmorGuard. He has served multiple terms as president of the Resilient Floor Covering Institute, has been chairman of the FCIF’s grant committee, and personally planned the first three FCIF galas.
Alan Greenberg
Memorial
GOLF TOURNAMENT
The annual golf tournament, hosted by CCA Global Partners, is traditionally held in September at the beautiful Barnsley Gardens, located 60 miles north of Atlanta, GA in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains.
HIGHLIGHTS
$125,000 RAISED IN 2024
You are invited to play on a team, become a sponsor, advertise at the event, or make a donation. We look forward to seeing you this fall to tee up for the FCIF. SAVE THE DATE Sept. 17
Annual Donors
$75,000+
CCA Global Partners
Floor Covering News*
Engineered Floors
Mohawk Industries
Shaw Industries
$50,000-$74,999
Mannington Mills
$25,000-$49,999
Chicago Floor Covering Association
TISE - Informa Exhibitions
Floor Focus*
Floor Covering Weekly*
NWFA Hardwood Floors Magazine*
$15,000-$24,999
Roppe Holding Company
Resilient Floor Covering Institute
AHF Products
$10,000-$14,999
Abbey Carpet
American Biltrite
Brian Caress
Cali Floors
Dossche Family Foundation
FEI Group
Floor Trends*
James & Susan Gould
Herregan Distributors
Karndean Designflooring
Helen And Harry Saul Foundation
Spartan Surfaces
Stanton Carpet Corporation
Will & Mary Helen Young
$5,000-$9,999
Ralph Boe
Carpenter Co.
The Dixie Group
Emily Finkell
Healthier Choice
Paul & Teresa Murfin
NAFCD
National Floorcovering Alliance
Real Floors
UCX
Premier Flooring Retailer Magazine*
$1,000-$4,999
Steve Abernathy
Andrea Blackbourn
Branded Records
Builder’s Carpet Inc.
Jonathan Cohen
Contract Carpet Corporation
Erramuzpe Family Partnership
Floor Coverings of Winona
The Flooring Contractor*
Flooring Specialist*
Fabulous Floors Magazine*
Sharon Greenberg
Scott Humphrey
Susan Hadinger
Matthew Kahny
James & Cynthia Lesslie
Mathews & Parlo Carpet
MP Global Products
Mr. G’s Flooring America
Sam & Margie O’Krent
ProInstaller*
Amy Rush-Imber
Sid’s Carpet Barn
Michel Vermette
Patrick Warren
The Weiss Family Fund
Terry Wheat
Kaye Whitener
$500-$999
About Floors N More
Adleta Corporation
All About Floors and More Inc.
Jessica Arscot
Lisa Browning
Centricity
Lewis Davis
Theresa Fisher
Floortrends Ltd.
Kennedy Frierson
Joseph Gaspar
Jeff Golden
Geoffrey Gordon
Max Holland
Jeff & Marianne Johnson
Skip Mancini
Northwest Trends of Spokane, Inc.
Pat’s Carpet Outlet, Inc.
Jason & Stephanie Reynolds
Rowena Barker
Roy Lomas Carpet Contractor, Inc.
Randall & Brooke Sheehe
Sherry Silver
* Thank you to our media partners for in-kind advertising.
Thank you for your donations!
2025 Board of Directors
CHAIRMAN
CCA
Scott
VICE CHAIRMAN
World
Kennedy Frierson
TREASURER
The Dixie Group
Engineered Floors
NOMINATIONS
COMMITTEE CHAIR
O’Krent Floors
Jonathan Cohen
EXEC. COMMITTEE AT LARGE
Stanton Carpet
board of directors, cont.
Ralph Boe, ArrowStar
Lisa Browning, National Floorcovering Alliance
Brian Caress, Industry Volunteer
Ted Dlugokienski, Abbey Carpet
Carrie Edwards Isaac, Shaw Industries Group
Steve Feldman, Floor Covering News
Emily Finkell, EF Floors & Design
Jeff Golden, JG Media Group/ProInstaller
Philip Guttierrez, Abbey Carpet
Amie Gilmore, Informa/ The International Surface Event
Kemp Harr, Floor Focus Magazine
Max Holland, FEI Group
Kevin Jablon, Spartain Surfaces
Doug Jackson, Cali Floors
Tanja Kern, Floor Trends & Installation Magazine
Raymond Mancini, Jr., UCX
Paul Murfin, Industry Volunteer
Bryan Peeples, Textile Management Associates
Ed Perrin, Karndean Designflooring
Amy Rush-Imber, Floor Covering Weekly
Patrick Warren, Daltile
Bob Weiss, All Surfaces
Zack Zehner, Mannington Mills
Andrea Blackbourn, FCIF Executive Director, ex-officio board members emeriti
Howard Brodsky, CCA Global Partners
Keith Campbell, Mannington Mills
Larry Nagle, N.L. Nagle, Inc.
