Good design makes a difference.
What is Design in Kind?
We support changemakers with the creative services they need to amplify their impact.
Design in Kind is a philanthropy program that helps nonprofits expand their reach and achieve strategic goals through discounted and pro-bono design work.
Use talent for good.
Because nonprofits are often overworked and under-resourced, we’re proud to offer discounts throughout the year, in addition to two annual, large-scale pro-bono projects.
Get involved.
Working with nonprofits brings us closer to our own communities. We choose to donate our time to causes that align with our values and will drive real change where it’s needed most.
Pay it forward.
We’re grateful to do what we love in a business that has continued to grow. Lending a helping hand to nonprofits that are committed to progress is our way of giving back.
Why It Matters
Giving back to the community is one of our company’s core values. Design in Kind allows us to be intentional about our nonprofit partnerships and consistently make them a priority.
Our Impact
Since its founding, Design in Kind has helped nonprofits across various industries reach new heights.
Featured Projects
We’ve had the privilege of leading successful brand & marketing initiatives across critical nonprofit sectors.
Rebranding a nonprofit to extend its reach
When Faith Network of the East Bay rebranded to Children Rising, we helped them strategically define their new brand without alienating their existing base.
Designing a destination for reliable news
With little funding to start, we helped San José’s first nonprofit digital news agency get off the ground with essential branding work and a turnkey website.
We’re honored to support the missions of these inspiring organizations.
FAQs
We focus on a combination of factors including cause, location, goals, and existing resources. It’s important to ensure we’re a good match for the organization’s needs before jumping in, so we thoroughly evaluate the details of each nomination to assess the need and potential impact of the work. Ultimately, we make the decision based on where we believe we can make the most meaningful contributions.
We offer all of our regular services, including branding, marketing, and web design. The scope of work will be customized to ensure the deliverables meet the unique needs and priorities of each organization. The most common project types include: logo design, brand refresh, brand guideline development, email templates, website design, messaging strategy, social media branding, ad designs, etc. The most important point is these details are determined individually, to meet your organization’s most crucial needs and align with your goals.
We prioritize Bay Area nonprofits that work to create a better tomorrow for future generations. We have been most active in supporting under-served youth, human rights, health services, and environmental causes.
Design in Kind only accepts organizations with 501(c)(3) status.
If you applied in the past and were not chosen for this pro-bono work, you are more than welcome to try again. We encourage it! We will not award this annual gift to the same organization twice; however, we have formed many successful, long-term partnerships with nonprofit organizations through the nomination process.
It typically takes 5-6 weeks from the application close date for us to read the applications, respond with necessary follow-up questions, and contact the selected organizations. We’ll notify you using the email address listed in your application, so be sure that it’s accurate. Even if you’re not chosen, we’ll still offer you a discount—reach out to learn more!
To ensure a smooth experience and great results, we need key stakeholders to be aware of the nomination and eager to participate in our creative process. We ask that recipients help us stick to project timelines by keeping communication prompt, accurate, and open, including providing the insights and information we need to do our best work. We strive to make our partnerships fun and maintain a spirit of collaboration throughout the project, and choose to work with organizations that show a willingness to do the same.
We promise to treat our Design in Kind projects with the same level of professionalism and respect as paying clients. Our responsibility is to develop a scope of work and project plan that meets your organization’s unique needs, and to complete that work in a timely manner, exceeding your expectations. Our design, content ,and management teams will be collaborative throughout the process to ensure success and that your most crucial brand and marketing goals are met.
Design in Kind is powered by Design in Mind. We are a team of experienced creative professionals with expertise across branding, graphic design, illustration, animation, web design, photography, copywriting, and more, but our collective talents are our greatest asset. Read more about our agency here.