Fifteen & Counting

I’m very proud of the social responsibility platform that Sappi supports. My company focuses on three critical groups: communities, customers and employees. Part of our customer outreach includes the Sappi Ideas that Matter grant program, which awards grants to designers who help nonprofit organizations make a meaningful difference in the communities they support by using their skills, creativity and design thinking.

As I’m sure you've all heard, the call for entries for the 2015 Ideas that Matter grant program is now open! This is our 15 year anniversary and, over the course of that time, Sappi’s Ideas that Matter program has supported over 500 charitable projects around the world with more than $12.5 million in funding—funding that has enabled designers and organizations to bring ideas to life and make a positive impact in the world. One of these inspiring recipients include EducationSuperHighway, a non-profit focused on upgrading Internet infrastructure to enable digital learning in America's K-12 public schools. You can find out more about how they implemented their Ideas that Matter grant here.

This year, we’re lucky to have Cheryl Heller, who created this ground-breaking initiative for Sappi 15 years ago, present an overview of the program at the HOW Design Live conference coming up in Chicago. Cheryl’s presentation, 15 Ideas that Matter, charts our grant program’s history and impact, as well as the evolving path of social design. Cheryl will be speaking about the program and offering her experienced insights to conference attendees and special guests on Thursday, May 7 from 10:15am to 11:00am.

Of course, I love to take the stage to present design ideas and provide educational insights. But, I’m also excited to listen to special presentations like 15 Ideas that Matter. In addition to hearing how this program has evolved and grown, it’s heartwarming to see how the community of grant recipients and judges continues to grow, create solutions that changes lives and be supportive of the program by applying for grants and spreading the word about this unique opportunity—which of course means that more nonprofits and their constituents are helped every day.

15 Ideas that Matter takes place on Thursday, May 7 at 10:15am in Chicago and is open to anyone who RSVPs here. You don’t need a conference pass to attend! Registration also includes complimentary access to the trade show from 12pm until 1:30pm. I hope to see you there!

Does that make sense?