Boston, MA – Sappi North America, Inc., a leading producer and supplier of diversified paper, packaging products and pulp, today opened its call for entries for the 2021 Ideas that Matter grant program. Established over 20 years ago, Ideas that Matter invites designers from around the world to show how print design can improve the lives of others.

This year, designers will be able to submit ideas that include paper packaging projects in addition to print and digital communications projects. Entrants are asked to align their submissions with at least one of the 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and focus on addressing social, environmental, healthcare, and community issues. Sappi has made these goals an integral part of its business and sustainable practices.

“For over two decades through the Ideas that Matter program we’ve seen firsthand the power that design has to make our communities stronger and our lives better. These grants have always funded critical projects that address timely societal issues,” said Patti Groh, Director of Communications. “By restructuring the program this year to align with the UN’s SDGs we can ensure the projects we fund are going toward the greatest areas of global impact.”

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, the program has provided nearly $14 million to support over 500 projects that change lives, communities, and ultimately, the planet.

“We know that marketers consider all vehicles and mediums to communicate ideas for their clients and design changemakers are no different,” said Groh. “By adding additional opportunities to address social issues through design, we’re confident that even more innovative and creative ideas will surely come from this year’s call for entries.”

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 industry.

This year’s panel of judges include:

Andrew Gibbs, CEO and Editor-in-Chief, The Dieline
Libby Cole, Principal, The Work Department
Gage Mitchell, Founder & Creative Director, Modern Species
Bryony Gomez-Palacio, Co-Founder, UnderConsideration
Dian Holton, Senior Deputy Art Director, AARP

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. 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.

Entrants have until January 7, 2022 at 11:59p.m. PST to submit their application via the online portal.

To learn more about Ideas that Matter, visit: https://www.sappi.com/sappi-ideas-that-matter.