AHPA Launches Michael McGuffin Endowment Fund

The American Herbal Products Association (AHPA) has launched the Michael McGuffin Endowment Fund, established in honor of the late AHPA president’s impact on the herbal products industry.

The fund honors McGuffin’s legacy of generosity and mentorship to support individuals, companies, and organizations in the herbal products community. The endowment will support emerging leaders, innovators, and advocates to make a lasting impact in the industry McGuffin dedicated his life to.

The fund’s mission is to nurture new industry leaders, curate industry vision to guide future innovation, increase education and research, support sustainability of the herb and botanical supply, and sustain AHPA’s mission for future generations.

“Michael had a remarkable gift for fostering connections and welcoming people into this industry — so many colleagues share stories of how meeting Michael inspired them or opened doors for their careers,” said Graham Rigby, president and CEO of AHPA. “With the creation of the Michael McGuffin Endowment Fund through the AHPA ERB Foundation, AHPA aims to carry forward his unifying, bridge-building spirit by offering financial support to those who may not otherwise have the means to break into or engage with this community — just as Michael did for so many over the years.”

The AHPA ERB Foundation is a nonprofit organization founded by McGuffin in 1997, during his 25-year tenure as AHPA president, dedicated to advancing botanical education and research. Donations to the fund are tax-deductible and are now being accepted.