NALHFA Richard M. Froehlich Educational Scholarship Fund

The NALHFA Richard M. Froehlich Educational Scholarship Fund supports the next generation of leaders in local affordable housing finance by helping eligible NALHFA members participate in NALHFA’s Leadership Excellence Institute (LEI).

“Empowering future leaders of the affordable housing finance industry is vital to building a strong and resilient community of thought leaders who inspire, innovate, and influence positive change… This is what NALHFA’s Leadership Excellence Institute (LEI) program stands for, and we are happy to support the future generation of leaders by creating the new NALHFA Richard M. Froehlich Educational Scholarship Fund.”
— NALHFA Executive Director Jonathan Paine

Jump to: About the Fund | Eligibility | How Awards Are Selected | What the Fund Can Cover | How to Apply | Donate

About the Fund

The Richard M. Froehlich Educational Scholarship Fund is designed to encourage, inspire, and support rising and mid-career leaders in the local affordable housing finance industry through participation in NALHFA’s Leadership Excellence Institute (LEI).

About NALHFA’s Leadership Excellence Institute (LEI)

LEI is a high-impact, professionally facilitated development experience designed exclusively for NALHFA members. Over the course of several months, participants sharpen executive presence, grow leadership capabilities, and gain strategic insight to lead with greater confidence, clarity, and influence.

What the Fund Can Cover

Eligible applicants may request grant assistance to cover all or a portion of LEI tuition. Funding may also help cover required travel expenses related to LEI participation, such as airfare and hotel.

Eligibility

• Must be a NALHFA member in good standing.
• Must be an active NALHFA member (e.g., committee involvement, conference participation, online educational opportunities).
• Must meet the qualifications to participate in NALHFA’s Leadership Excellence Institute (LEI).
• Must demonstrate financial need based on organizational (not personal) finances.
• Must demonstrate a commitment to continued professional development and engagement in the affordable housing finance industry.
• Not eligible: NALHFA Board of Directors, association staff, or members of the selection committee.

How Awards Are Selected

Applications are evaluated using the following criteria:

• Engagement and membership tenure
• Financial need
• Self-investment and initiative
• Employer partnership or support
• Community contribution and potential impact

How to Apply

Scholarship applications are available to eligible NALHFA members who meet LEI participation requirements and demonstrate organizational financial need.

Questions? Contact NALHFA at [email protected].

Donate to the Fund

Your contribution helps expand access to leadership development and strengthens the pipeline of future affordable housing finance leaders.

Donor Recognition Levels

Donor Recognition Benefits

• Complimentary event registration (1 Pioneer – 3 Visionary)
• Donor level recognition in NALHFA communications
• Donor level recognition on the NALHFA website
• Donor level recognition at NALHFA Annual Conference (ribbons & signage)
• Social media recognition
• NALHFA coffee mug
• 10-minute Thought Leader video interview
• Visionary Club only: Visionary Cup award recognition (top contributors listed by name/organization and year)
• Visionary Club only: VIP backstage access & meet-and-greet with keynote speakers

Donor Recognition

Thank you to the organizations supporting the Richard M. Froehlich Educational Scholarship Fund.

Visionary Club ($5,000+)

New York City Housing Development Corporation

Southeast Texas Housing Finance Corporation Board of Directors

Impact Club ($100–$999)

TD Securities

Arlington Housing Finance Corporation

    Ramirez and Co.

About Richard M. Froehlich

Richard M. Froehlich exemplified an unwavering commitment to affordable housing and a deep belief in the power of education. He joined the New York City Housing Development Corporation in 2003 as General Counsel and rose to serve as First Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, where he directed the Corporation’s bond finance and operations. Richard played a central role in HDC’s nationally recognized preservation efforts, helping to maintain the affordability of more than 140,000 housing units and contributing to the implementation of New York City’s Housing New York plan to build and preserve 300,000 affordable homes.

A respected leader in housing finance, Richard also served as a member of the Municipal Securities Rulemaking Board and was deeply engaged in the broader affordable housing community. He was elected to the Board of Directors of the National Association of Local Housing Finance Agencies in 2014 and proudly served as NALHFA’s President, advancing the organization’s mission and supporting housing finance agencies nationwide.

In addition to his professional achievements, Richard was a consummate teacher. As an adjunct associate professor at Columbia University’s Graduate School of Architecture, Planning, and Preservation, he shared his extensive knowledge of public and affordable housing finance with the next generation of leaders. This scholarship honors Richard’s legacy by reflecting both his lifelong dedication to expanding affordable housing and his passion for education, mentorship, and leadership development.