Company celebrates 20th anniversary of grant program that enables social good through creative design

Boston, Mass. – Sappi North America, Inc., a leading producer and supplier of diversified paper and packaging products, today announced the call for entries for its 2019 Ideas that Matter grant program, inviting designers to show the world how print can play an important role in changing lives for the better. This year, the company celebrates the 20th anniversary of the program, which Sappi established to support designers who apply their creative talents to benefit causes that address significant issues facing our society.

Over the course of the program, Sappi has continuously illustrated how the creative and integrated work of designers can change society. Sappi remains committed to the belief that good ideas inspire people to take action, and great ideas change the world. Though many media choices are available to designers, print is at the heart of influential and effective messaging and a perfect complement to promote positive social causes.

“For 20 years, Sappi has been a leader in supporting design for social good. The passion for the causes are displayed through the caliber and quality of the submissions we receive each year. We’re proud that this program has supported more than 500 charitable programs designed to better our lives, our communities and our planet,” said Patti Groh, Director of Marketing Communications, Sappi North America. “To us, Ideas that Matter is more than just a grant program. From national nonprofits to local community initiatives, the breadth, quality and impact of projects we’ve supported have made a meaningful difference in people’s lives across the globe.”

This year’s panel of judges includes:

Sam Aquillano, Founder and Executive Director, Design Museum Foundation
George Aye, Co-Founder and Director of Innovation, Greater Good Studio
Ashleigh Axios, Creative Director, Obama White House and Executive Board Member, AIGA
Antionette Carroll, M.A., President and CEO, Founder, Creative Reaction Lab
Christine Taylor, Licensing Creative Manager, Hallmark Cards and Creative Director, PopMinded by Hallmark

Ideas that Matter Come to Life

Ideas that Matter is the only grant program of its kind in the paper industry and is a key part of Sappi’s corporate social responsibility efforts. Since 1999—for 20 years—the program has provided more than $13 million to support causes that change lives, communities, and ultimately, the planet.

The 2018 winners included Altitude for Social Good Fund; Designmatters for Friends of Matènwa; The Center for Urban Pedagogy (CUP); Design Museum Foundation; TODA for Parent-Child Home Program; AIGA Design for Good Task Force for AIGA; The New School; Peace Over Violence; and Principle for Brighter Bites.

Information on previous winners can be viewed on Sappi's Ideas that Matter website.

Selection Criteria and How to Enter

Ideas that Matter proposals are evaluated on creativity, potential effectiveness and practicality by an annually selected, independent panel of judges who are influential in the design community.

The call for Ideas that Matter submissions is open to individual designers, design firms, agencies, in-house corporate design departments, design instructors, individual design students and design student groups. Only applicants in North America may apply. Grant awards range from $5,000 to $50,000 USD per project. Each application must include an IRS 501 (c) 3 letter or Canadian equivalent of the applicant's nonprofit organization.

Applications for the 2019 program must be submitted and postmarked no later than July 19, 2019. Judging will take place in August. Grant recipients for the 2019 program will be announced in September, with grants awarded in October.

For the program’s 20th Anniversary, Sappi is offering a chance for the design community to vote for their favorite projects with the People’s Voice Award. After the winners are announced, the grant that receives the most Instagram "Likes" on @SappiNorthAmerica will receive a $5,000 bonus grant to escalate the reach, impact and influence of their project.

To obtain an entry form and more information on the Ideas that Matter grant, please click here or call 800-882-4332.