Appraiser Diversity Initiative (ADI) FAQs

The Appraiser Development Initiative is designed to attract new entrants to the real estate appraisal field and educating them about the appraisal profession. Launched in 2018, ADI provides resources for interested candidates to help them get on a path to success.

A real estate appraiser is a valuation professional who uses their knowledge and current data to develop an opinion of value for real property (residential or commercial).

Mortgage lenders rely on appraisers to give a fair and accurate values of real estate. Appraisers are also important to homeowners and communities because of the economic impact housing values have on the community.

Scholarships are administered and partially funded by the Appraisal Institute with additional funding from industry donors. Information on how to apply for an ADI scholarship is provided at the end of each workshop.

The ADI scholarship is designed to support the journey to becoming an appraiser trainee and covers the costs of state required qualifying education. Additional benefits include a activities to support the development of appraisers, industry conferences, monthly community support activities and more. ADI also offers other scholarships which include additional advanced education towards state licensing requirements and PAREA or practicum programs.

ADI sponsors include industry guidance and in-kind assistance.

Industry Guidance:

• Supervisor sponsors are state certified real estate appraisers committed to working with an appraiser trainee as they gain their field experience hours.
• Advisor sponsors are valuation professionals who offer mentorship and guidance to scholarship winners as they complete their qualifying education, without the formal agreement of a supervisor.

In-Kind Assistance:

• Servicer/Technology sponsors make a financial commitment or provides goods or services to ADI participants, such as access to real estate appraisal technology platforms, and data services.
• Community sponsors commit to recruiting potential trainee candidates by promoting and advertising upcoming ADI workshops in organization newsletters and publications.
• Workshop sponsors make a financial commitment towards hosting an ADI workshop, including expenses such as meals, audio visual, facilities, etc.
• Financial sponsors make monetary contributions which support scholarships and other program needs.

The biggest need is for supervisor sponsors and financial donations. Supervisors work with appraiser trainees as they gain their experience hours required to become fully certified in their state. Financial donations allow ADI to provide quality scholarships and benefits to the scholarship winners.

ADI awards 200+ scholarships annually.