Sappi North America Opens 2016 ‘Ideas that Matter' Call for Entries

Sappi North America, Boston, Mass., USA, a producer and supplier of diversified paper and packaging products, this week announced its call for 2016 Ideas that Matter grant proposals, 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 17 years ago to fund designers who apply their creative talents to causes that address significant issues facing our society.

Sappi says that, for more than a decade and a half, it has witnessed firsthand how the creative and integrated work of designers can change the world. As a result, the company remains committed to the belief that good ideas inspire people to take action, and great ideas change the world. In a world filled with a variety of media choices, print is at the heart of influential and effective messaging and a perfect complement to promote positive social causes.

"During the course of this program, Sappi North America has financed projects that have resulted in real change, such as making broadband internet available for K-12 American schools, delivering properly dosed medicines for children in Africa, providing access to fresh food for Baltimore inner-city neighborhoods, and encouraging adoption of ‘ugly’ dogs in Oklahoma. The breadth, quality, and impact of projects we’ve supported have made a meaningful difference in people’s lives," said Patti Groh, marketing communications director, Sappi North America. "Social design impacts society in a positive way so we’re honored to annually produce, nurture and provide support for the work of designers and nonprofits."

Christopher Simmons, principal and creative director of the San Francisco, Calif., design office, MINE™
Vicky Jones, VP, brand strategy and creative at Phase 3 Marketing and Communications in Atlanta, Ga
Andrew Shea, principal at MANY, a multidisciplinary design studio in New York, N.Y.
Sarah Brooks, director, insight and design, Customer Experience Office at Department of Veterans Affairs, Washington, D.C.

Ideas that Matter is the only grant program of its kind in the paper industry that funds projects addressing a variety of social issues – from diversity and human rights campaigns to health and youth development. Since 1999 Sappi has funded more than 500 programs for nearly $13 million worldwide in support of causes that change lives, communities, and ultimately, the planet.

The 2015 winners included Savage Good, Tarallo Design, University of Notre Dame, Jennifer Cheng, Catherine Lim and Tyler Monteferrante, Becky Slogeris, 826LA, 50,000 Feet, and MASS Design Group. Also, 2015 was the year that Sappi introduced a "People’s Voice Award," which offered the chance for the design community to participate directly in the grant program by voting for their favorite projects. The grant that received the most Facebook "Likes" received an additional cash bonus to escalate the reach, impact and influence of their project. The 2015 People’s Voice Award winner was Tarallo Design for its proposal for the Regional Environmental Council. The proposal centered on the creation of an awareness campaign that will educate and engage the Worcester community about environmental and food justice.

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

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 per project. Each application must include an IRS 501 (c) 3 letter or Canadian equivalent of the applicant's nonprofit organization.

Applications for the 2016 program must be submitted and postmarked no later than July 15, 2015. Judging takes place in August, grants are announced in September, and awards distributed in October.