Step 1 : About you
Please provide us with information about you, the applicant.

Step 2 : The non-profit organization
In 300 words or less, please describe the non-profit you want to support. You may accompany your description with promotional materials, press clipping or other brief explanatory materials. Be sure to include proof of the non-profit's status (tax exempt) under IRC 501 (c)(3). Please provide the name of the non-profit organization and your contact person. Ask that the non-profit contact sign this form to confirm that the organization approves of and will support your project if it is selected for funding.

Step 3 : Your project
Briefly describe your project and your plans for implementing it. Include a list of your project's elements such as posters, direct mail, ads and so on. If you wish, supplement your written description with visual materials that communicate your idea using rough sketches, illustrations or color prints, each mounted on boards no longer than 9" x 12". Use no more that five (5) such boards for presentation and DO NOT include CD-ROMs.

Step 4 : Your project's objective
Describe in 300 words or less why you believe your project would make a difference to your non-profit organization and what long-term benefits it would achieve, such as greater awareness or a large number of people served. Please be concise but specific.

Step 5 : Your grant request
Provide an itemized budget for your proposal. Include the cost of paper and other materials, along with the costs of distribution and advertising if applicable. Do not include design time or creative fees, but do include out-of-pocket expenses. If your project is selected, your project budget will help determine the amount of your grant and will also become the benchmark against which your work is executed.

Ideas that Matter grants are not paid out as a lump sum, but as they are implemented. As expenses are incurred, either the designer or the organization being benefited should submit a request for payment on official letterhead, along with the invoice(s).

For each project, all requests for payment should come from the same source, either the designer or the organization. Out-of-pocket expenses may be reimbursed either at the end of the project or as they are incurred.

Step 6 : Your timeline
Provide a proposed weekly or monthly timeline to implement your project. Note that projects must be completed within six months of receipt of the grant award.