Sappi Fine Paper North America today announced the 2009 Call for Entries for Ideas that Matter— an annual, innovative grant program that supports and transforms the creative ideas of designers into a powerful force for social good.
Since 1999, Sappi’s Ideas that Matter program has awarded $9 million worldwide in grants to support causes that range from youth centers and health care awareness to wildlife protection and sustainability. Individual designers, design firms, agencies, in-house corporate design departments, design instructors, individual design students and design student groups, who are performing pro bono work for a nonprofit organization can apply for an Ideas that Matter grant. Grant awards range from $5,000 to $50,000 per project and may be used to cover implementation and out-of-pocket costs. Applications for this year’s Ideas that Matter program must be postmarked by July 17, 2009 and the winners will be announced in fall 2009. For more information about Ideas that Matter, visit www.sappi.com.ideasthatmatterNA.
“Sappi is thrilled to host the tenth year of our Ideas that Matter program, as it provides designers with a unique opportunity to translate their design ideas into social good and improve the lives, environment and financial well-being of our communities,” said Jennifer Miller, Executive Vice President of Marketing and Communications, Sappi Fine Paper North America.
The grant application process for Ideas that Matter is similar to submitting a client creative brief or strategic plan. Basic information is required including: the mission statement of the benefiting nonprofit organization and a copy of its 501(c)3 designation; a written description of the proposed project, including a list of elements to be part of the program; a brief description of the project’s objectives; a visual presentation of the proposed idea; a project timeline and proposed budget; a summary of information about the applicant; the résumé of applicant; and samples of the applicant’s previous work.
“We live in extremely challenging times that absolutely require designers to help shape a positive future,” said John Bielenberg, Principal C2, Founder Project M, and 2008 Ideas that Matter judge. “Ideas that Matter is a call to action!”
Each year, Sappi invites a team of some of the most highly-respected designers and representatives of leading philanthropic organizations in the country to serve on an independent committee, to review Ideas that Matter entries and determine the projects that will receive funding. With the understanding that good ideas can change the world, project concepts and design are evaluated on creativity, potential effectiveness and practicality of the implementation plan.
To obtain an entry form and for more information about Ideas that Matter, visit www.sappi.com.ideasthatmatterNA.com or call 800-882-4332. Applications for proposals must be postmarked by July 17, 2009.
About Sappi Fine Paper North America
Sappi Fine Paper North America is a leading North American producer of coated fine paper used in premium magazines, catalogues, books and high-end print advertising. Headquartered in Boston, Massachusetts, Sappi Fine Paper North America is known for innovation and quality. Its brand names, including McCoy, LOE, Opus, and Somerset, are some of the industry’s most widely recognized and specified. SFPNA is a division of Sappi Limited (NYSE, JSE, LSE), a global company headquartered in Johannesburg, South Africa, with manufacturing operations on four continents in nine countries, sales offices in 50 countries, and customers in over 100 countries around the world. Learn more about Sappi at: www.sappi.com.
