18th Annual Grant Program Enables Social Good through Creative Design 

BOSTON –  Sappi North America, a leading producer and supplier of diversified paper and packaging products, today announced its call for entries for its 2017 Ideas that Matter grant program, inviting designers to show the world how design – specifically print – can play an important role in changing lives for the better. Sappi established the Ideas that Matter grant program 18 years ago to fund designers who apply their creative talents to causes that address significant issues facing our society. 

Over more than a decade and a half, Sappi has witnessed firsthand 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. With so many media choices available, print is at the heart of influential and effective messaging and a perfect complement to promote positive social causes.

“Over the course of the Ideas that Matter program, Sappi has financed more than 500 charitable programs designed to better our lives, our communities and our planet. The breadth, quality and impact of projects we’ve supported have made a meaningful difference in people’s lives across the globe,” said Patti Groh, Marketing Communications Director, Sappi North America. “Social design impacts society in a positive way so we’re honored to annually provide support for the work of designers and nonprofits.” 

This year’s panel of judges include: 

• Dana Arnett, Founding Partner and Vice Chairman, VSA Partners
• Randy J. Hunt, Vice President of Design, Etsy
• Matthew Manos, Founder and Managing Director, verynice.
• De Nichols, Director, Civic Creatives

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, the program has provided nearly $13 million to support causes that change lives, communities, and ultimately, the planet. 

The 2016 winners included Design Museum Foundation, The Blank Page for SOLA/School of Leadership in Afghanistan, MICA in support of Johns Hopkins University Lerner Center for Public Health, Felicidad for Ashoka, Center for Design in the Public Interest/UC Davis for the Hill Country Health and Wellness Center, McSweeney’s for 826 National, Parsons The New School for Design to support The Point CDC and Art Center College of Design/Design Matters for Coaniquem BCF/The Burned Children Foundation.

Videos of previous winners can be viewed on Sappi's Ideas that Matter website. Additional information is available on Sappi's Facebook page, Twitter at @SappiNA, and Instagram.

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.

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 2017 program must be submitted and postmarked no later than July 7, 2017. Judging takes place in August, grants are announced in September, and awards distributed in October. 

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