BOSTON –  Sappi North America, a leading producer and supplier of diversified paper and packaging products, today announced the eight grant recipients of its 17th annual Ideas that Matter program, where financial support is given to designer applicants who create and implement print projects for social impact.

This year's eight winning projects highlight how designers can use the power of paper and print for social impact. The winning projects were chosen for the effective way they address pressing social issues including rural healthcare and pharmaceutical misuse, literacy, childhood development and the importance of play, education and leadership in war-challenged international communities, girls and youth development and traumatic health issues for children and their families.

Since 1999, as an integral part of Sappi's corporate social responsibility platform, the Ideas that Matter grant program has funded over 500 nonprofit projects and has contributed more than $13 million to a wide range of causes that use design as a positive force in society. The program is open to North American designers who have partnered with a nonprofit organization and developed a communication campaign that is ready for implementation.

"For nearly two decades, Ideas that Matter has been a cornerstone in Sappi North America’s corporate responsibility efforts. We truly believe in the role design can play in helping to solve complex social issues. And, by supporting the work of designers who are developing print communications for causes, we know that Ideas that Matter is an important participant in the design for social good movement,” said Patti Groh, Marketing Communications Director, Sappi North America. "This year’s grant recipients truly see the potential global impact of their work and we could not be more excited to see these projects come to fruition.”