SDF FAQ

Become part of the magic behind one of the region’s largest publicly created design festivals. From planning to execution, your time and talents help build this extraordinary community experience.

What current volunteer opportunities exist?

Review our Call for SDF 2026 Planning Team and submit your statement of interest by January 30. 

Why Volunteer?

• Build Your Network – Connect with professionals, leaders, and students across 20+ design disciplines
• Develop Your Skills – Gain experience in event production, leadership, and community engagement
• Share Your Passion – Educate the public about how design affects their lives and communities
• Make Real Impact – Help create a more vibrant, equitable Seattle through design
• Join the Movement – Be part of the largest publicly created design festival in the world

The best reason to volunteer? Having fun while making a meaningful difference in the city you love!

Your gift powers design for all.

As a volunteer-powered 501c(3) nonprofit, we rely on the generous giving of our supporters to bring free and affordable programs to 10,000+ people citywide every year.

What direct impact does my donation make?

• $25 provides
  Funding to ensure we can continue to waive submission fees for emerging designers and nonprofit partners. 
• $50 enables
  Accessibility accommodations that make Festival events welcoming to people of all abilities
• $100 supports
  Funding to support an emerging designer’s first public installation, showcasing fresh talent and new perspectives
• $500 sustains
  Strategic partnerships with youth organizations each year, ensuring that we can invite these partners and support their teaching artists

What additional impact does my funding support?

Funding emerging designers, and keeping entry for those members of our community free creates opportunities for emerging designers who might otherwise miss out and fosters connections between design professionals and underinvested/represented communities

Donate Here

Empower diverse voices in design!

Your sponsorship creates opportunities for partners who would otherwise be unable to participate, ensuring the Festival represents our entire community. 

What kind of reach do SDF Sponsors have?

• 54,000+ Via Web Views 
• 11,000+ Our Social Media Followers on Instagram & LinkedIn 
• 20+ Design Disciplines

Who else is sponsoring the Festival?

Check out our current sponsors 

What is the deadline to commit?

Sponsors can come onboard throughout the year, but we encourage you to commit by February 1, 2026 for maximum visibility!

How can I learn more?

Review our prospectus or reach out directly to our Development Manager, Andrea Aguilera. 

Want to bring forward a Festival experience? Submit your unique proposal in the spring and bring your creative ideas to life as an official Festival partner. Shape the conversation about design in Seattle!

How do I submit a proposal for the next Seattle Design Festival?

Each spring, we release a call for proposals, and our community responds with experiences, events, exhibits, and installations that address it. This call is centered around our annual theme, which is selected each year by Festival leadership. Potential partners will have approximately two months to submit their proposal. Support for your proposal is available from the Planning Team, who will host Spring Mixers to help answer questions and facilitate connections.

How are proposals selected?

The Festival is entirely a product of the people that are involved in it. It is planned by a core group of dedicated volunteers, many of them emerging designers, who develop our Call for Proposals each year. All of the proposals brought forward by our community will be reviewed by the Festival Planning Team. This team will be looking for proposals that directly relate to the theme and demonstrate the relevance of design thinking, empower communities to leverage design, and promote a culture of collaboration. We evaluate the quality and feasibility of each proposal: is it thorough or vague? How will you communicate your design process? Is it design-focused and accessible to all? Is the proposed format engaging and participatory? The Festival Planning Team provides feedback to all Festival Partners when sending out acceptance letters.
On average, we have over 100 program partners a year, including not only designers and their firms, but also community groups, nonprofit organizations, government partners, and students. The most successful proposals come out of partnerships between designers and community groups, creating lasting relationships that live on past the festival and spark change in our city moving forward.

Are there costs associated with participating as a Festival Partner?

For-profit businesses are required to pay an entry fee to propose an installation or event. One of the most amazing things about the Seattle Design Festival is that we are able to produce our region’s largest design event, on a mostly free or sliding-scale basis for over 21,000+ attendees and counting, while still being truly community-driven and crowd-sourced. In addition, all partners are responsible for their own expenses.

Is any funding available for emerging designers who are selected to be a Festival Partner?

Funding support is available for Non-Profit groups/Emerging Designer submitters only. Applications will be reviewed by the Festival planning committee to enhance the inclusivity and access of the Festival. More information about the funding available each year will be included in the call for proposals.

Join us as we transform Seattle into a hub of design innovation and community engagement. The Seattle Design Festival features installations, workshops, tours, and talks that showcase the power of design to shape our city’s future. Check back for this year’s dates and programming!