Sappi: Ideas That Matter

We’re honored to announce that Sappi Fine Paper North America has announced Epicenter as one of 11 grant recipients for its 14th annual Ideas that Matter program, the industry’s highly respected grant program aimed at helping designers create and implement print projects for charitable causes.

“Since 1999, Sappi’s Ideas that Matter program has awarded over $12 million worldwide in grants to designers around the globe to support their work for nonprofit programs and organizations. This year’s winning projects reflect the on-going commitment in the design community to utilize design in combination with innovative thinking to solve social problems. Grantees submitted outstanding proposals outlining their ideas, creative execution and their unique ability to instill positive social, cultural or environmental change.”

“The selected proposals were determined by an independent judging panel of leaders from the design profession. This year’s judges, all widely recognized for their forward-thinking commitment to design for social good, included Bill Drenttel, President of Winterhouse Institute based in Connecticut; Erin Huizenga, Founder of EPIC and Director of Remedy in Chicago; Jennifer Kinon, Founding Partner at Original Champions of Design/OCD based in New York City; Michael Lejeune, Creative Director at Metro in Los Angeles; Alissa Walker, freelance design writer in Los Angeles.”

“‘Each year, all of us at Sappi are inspired by the quality of the submissions, as well as the creative and compelling design solutions to a wide range of real social needs,’ said Patti Groh, Marketing & Communications Director, Sappi Fine Paper North America. ‘We are proud that Sappi’s Ideas that Matter program continues to be important platform for social change, giving designers the powerful opportunity to use their skills and expertise to support the greater good.'”

The funds will go towards creating content for and printing of The Green River Magazine (aka Green River Newspaper v. 2.0), a community-powered publication capturing the unique character of Green River, Utah, made in collaboration with local residents to create opportunities for the region. Like last year, the project will be lead by our amazing Frontier Fellows, Nicole Lavelle and Sarah Baugh.



Over the next few months, workshops will be held by our Frontier Fellows with local residents to gather content. Sarah and Nicole will return for one to two weeks in January to finalize content. We expect the magazine to be released in March, and (of course) we’ll have a big release party. You’re all invited!

Click here to see the 10 other amazing grantees.
(Quotes via Sappi Ideas That Matter blog)