Applications for 2016 awards are now closed. Thanks to all who applied!

 

 

Thanks for your interest in applying for a DesignEgg Creative Service Award.

Not-for-profit organizations who do excellent work, have a positive impact on others, and can demonstrate financial need are encouraged to apply. Award recipients receive custom design, photography, video, or website services that enhance their marketing efforts and free-up resources for core programs. Past recipients include a variety of non-profits, individuals, and small businesses—however, for 2016, we have chosen to focus on offering major Creative Service Awards ($500 – $5,000) to 501(c)3 not-for-profit organizations with annual budgets of $250,000 or less.*

*Although priority is given to small institutions, mid-size non-profits may apply with permission and are subject to additional questions to determine their financial need. Please contact info@designegg.org to begin the pre-application process if your annual budget exceeds $250,000.

If you are an individual, small business, or collective without 501(c)3 status, you may still be able to receive design or photography services through our DesignEgg Over-Easy initiative. Applications for Over-Easy projects are accepted on a rolling basis throughout the year and are selected at the discretion of the designers. Successful applicants receive service awards valued at $100 – $500.

Please note: DesignEgg Creative Service Awards are delivered in the form of services only, but are assigned a cash value based on current industry rates.

 

Important Dates:

August 12, 2015:
Application Opens

October 15, 2015:
Applications Due

November 15, 2015:
Successful applicants notified of our intent to award creative services

November 15-December 1, 2015:
Candidate interviews

December 1, 2015:
Final award recipients announced

January 1 – July 31, 2016:
Creative services delivered

 

 

Things to Know before you Begin:

Who Should Apply:

  • Non-profit Organizations Doing Excellent Work
    Both new and established non-profits who have a clear mission and innovative programming will be good candidates for a DesignEgg Creative Service Award.
  • Non-profit Organizations Whose Work Helps Others
    More than 200 supporters contributed funds to make DesignEgg Awards available to people they likely will never meet. We hope that our applicants embody that same pay-it-forward spirit and are doing work that makes a positive impact on others. DesignEgg will consider applicants from a variety of fields but preference will be given to those doing work in our interest areas of: arts, environment, education, health/wellness, and social services.
  • Non-profit Organizations with Financial Need
    DesignEgg is providing a service free of charge so we ask you to honestly evaluate your resources and determine that you have financial need. You’ll meet our basic eligibility requirements if you are a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization with an annual budget of $250,000 or less. Mid-size non-profits may apply with permission and are subject to additional questions to determine their financial need. Please contact info@designegg.org to begin the pre-application process if your annual budget exceeds $250,000.

 

Application Instructions:

The application must be completed in one session (sorry, you can’t save and come back). So, grab a cup of coffee and plan to spend about 15-20 minutes filling out the forms. You may want to do some preparatory work beforehand if you want to cut that time down (see steps below).

  1. Steps in the Application:
    • Basic Information
    • About your Organization
      You’ll need to submit your mission, outline your activities, and provide information about your audience.
    • Your Design Needs
      You’ll be asked to select what type of creative service your project would most benefit from (graphic design, photography, video, or website). The more specific you are about your needs, the better (i.e. “We need a 12-page annual report design…”). You will also have a chance to upload any supporting materials you’d like us to see.
    • When and Where
      We’ll need to know when you need your project completed by and if we would have to travel to your location to complete the work.
    • Finances and Eligibility
      Have a copy of your non-profit status or pending application ready to upload. You’ll also need to fill in some numbers: (1) total expenditures for the last completed fiscal year; (2) total revenues for the last completed fiscal year; and (3) total number of paid staff, board members, and volunteers. We also ask you to tell us why you are applying for services through DesignEgg rather than approaching a traditional agency or firm.
  2. Deadlines
    Please fill out the application completely and submit by midnight on October 15, 2015 to be considered. Late applications will not be accepted.

 

 Selection Procedure

  • Initial Review
    All applicants will receive an initial review to ensure completeness and clarity of their application. If your application does not pass this initial step, you will be notified for a chance to make revisions and resubmit.
  • DesignEgg Selection Committee Review
    All applications that have passed the initial review will be sent on for consideration by the DesignEgg Selection Committee. This panel of independent arts, education, and business professionals from across the nation will review and score applicants based on the following criteria: excellence of organization, impact on others, and financial need.
  • Intent to Award Notification
    Applicants selected by the committee will be notified of our intent to offer a DesignEgg Creative Service Award. They will then be contacted by the designers (Jess and Andy Wickstrom) for a final interview.
  • Final Interview
    During the interview, we will collect any additional information, determine the feasibility of the project, and evaluate your readiness to accept the award. The designers will make the final determination about whether or not to offer a DesignEgg Creative Service Award.
  • Kick-off Meeting
    The design process will begin with a kick-off meeting on the phone, in person, or via Skype. Details of the project agreement including timeline and deliverables will be established during the initial meeting and a creative services contract will be rendered.

Please note that DesignEgg Creative Service Awards cover design/photography/video/website services only. Printing, production, hosting fees, etc. are the responsibility of the grantee. However, when possible, DesignEgg will provide free coordination with additional service providers.