Our mission envisions a culture of design that fosters equitable, resilient, and thriving communities. We unleash the design thinker in everyone to illuminate Seattle’s challenges and ignite action.
More than 130,000 people have attended Seattle Design Festival (SDF) since it began in 2011. For many – families, young adults, and a diverse public – it was their first experience at a design-focused event. SDF believes that design is for everyone, and its benefits should be accessible, intersectional, and informed by a diverse public. We do this by ensuring much of our programming happens in the public realm, and that it should be free or low cost.
In addition to connecting the public to the design community, SDF has promoted partnerships with hundreds of community-based nonprofits and business innovators to encourage multi-disciplinary discussion. Through the Festival, designers engage directly with the public, and the public is invited to participate in the design process. This exchange encourages a greater understanding and appreciation for the ways that design can improve our lives. We have made an investment in our creative community and have waived submission fees for many non-profit organizations, community groups, and individuals who wouldn’t otherwise be able to participate. It is largely through the support of grantors, sponsors, and individual donors like you that SDF is able to continue its work. By choosing to support Seattle Design Festival, you are bringing design to everyone!
Or By Check:
Please make checks out to “Seattle Design Festival” and mail to:
Seattle Design Festival
1010 Western Avenue
Seattle, WA 98104
Seattle Design Festival is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Your contribution is tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law.
Volunteer
Your passion and expertise is important to us. We understand that not everyone has the capacity to donate their own money and, for those that have the time available, we’re eager to connect you with one of more than 70 volunteer opportunities within our organization. Learn more here.
In-kind Donations
Every year, donations of goods and services significantly lowers overhead and simplifies our path to a more diverse, equitable, and accessible Festival. Contact us for more information about in-kind giving.
Advocate
Approach your workplace about supporting Seattle Design Festival. It is popular and there is an opportunity to reach 30,000 attendees and network with 100+ design adjacent firms. It carries alignment with a meaningful mission, promotes the long-term health of your workplace, cultivates the creativity and morale of staff, and it us an investment in the ecosystem as a whole. Learn more about sponsorship here.
Perhaps you are connected to a non-profit organization or community group that works with or on behalf of underserved individuals. We’d like to connect with them and ensure that they know there are opportunities for them to participate. Stay tuned for more information that will be in our Call for Proposals process.
Honorary and Memorial gifts
Honorary gifts for weddings, birthdays, anniversaries, birthdays, weddings or other special events can be made online.
Honor your loved ones by making a special gift to Seattle Design Festival in their name online.
Built Reflection – SDF 2020
SDF 2020 Central Collective projected silent short moving images showcasing Seattle designers from underrepresented communities. Through ‘It’s about time’, Central Collective reflects on the lack of visibility of women, communities of color, immigrants and LGBTQI+ in our creative industries. Learn more here.
Interstitial Community Bonding – SDF 2020
Community bonding helps neighbors take ownership over making positive change, and for their thriving in the future. The intent of the display is giving the community a place where everyone can be seen and heard, regardless of race, background or status. Learn more here
Latinx Placemaking en Seattle – SDF 2021
This structure tells the story of Latinx placemaking in Seattle- from agriculture and landscape, to heavy industry, to crafts and architecture through traditional Latinx crafts reimagined with found objects to be inclusive and inviting for all members of the community. Learn more here.
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