FiberBuilt Umbrellas & Cushions has donated $5,000 to the American Hotel & Lodging Educational Foundation (AH&LEF) 2014 Annual Giving Campaign. A long-time allied member of the American Hotel & Lodging Association, this is FiberBuilt's first donation at the six-diamond level.

Founded in 2000 in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, FiberBuilt manufactures weather-resistant, fiberglass-ribbed market and garden umbrellas and cabanas for use by the lodging industry. In recent years its product line has grown to include bases, cushions, and outdoor furniture through its Guy Harvey line. FiberBuilt's president of sales, Jordan Beckner, has been an AH&LEF supporter for many years and serves on the Foundation's Board of Trustees.

"As a trustee, I have seen just how important it is to have the funds needed to support the education of the next generation of hospitality professionals," said Beckner. "We are proud to support AH&LEF's important work toward that goal."

"Jordan and FiberBuilt have been heavily involved in AH&LA and the Foundation, and we're so pleased they have stepped up their support this year," said Joori Jeon, president of AH&LEF/CFO of AH&LA. "Allied members are a key constituency group, and it's important to have donors like FiberBuilt that recognize the benefits of funding the future of the hospitality industry."

AH&LEF is the not-for-profit affiliate of AH&LA and is funded solely by charitable donations from progressive hospitality leaders and companies within the industry. In 2013, AH&LEF disbursed over $1 million to prepare promising college students for a career in hospitality, to attract and retain talented industry professionals, and to fund valuable research for lodging properties. Since the Foundation's inception, approximately $18.5 million has been distributed through its scholarship, education, outreach, and research programs.

The Annual Giving Campaign is AH&LEF's key yearly fundraising initiative supported solely by the hospitality sector. Initiated in 1997, the program generates funds for AH&LEF's core programs that provide hospitality management students with academic scholarships, offers grants for pertinent industry research such as diversity and technology advancement, and promotes hospitality as a career of choice. Hundreds of thousands has been raised through the campaigns, and the Foundation is scheduled to disburse more than $1 million this year.

Support the Foundation by helping to fund the future. Visit www.ahlef.org/donate to make a contribution today. All AH&LEF contributions are tax-deductible to the fullest extent of the law. For more information about donating, contact Michelle Poinelli, senior vice president of foundation programs, at (202) 289-3181 or mpoinelli@ahlef.org or visit www.ahlef.org.