Design for the greater good 101

The Global Philanthropy Forum Conference is taking place this weekend. It’s by invitation only and aims to provide a space for committed philanthropists and businesses to forge relationships and explore partnerships to further the greater good. Whilst this particular conference is not open to everyone there’s a growing number of invaluable online resources to make even the most apathetic of individuals sit up and taking action:

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SOCIAL CHANGE NEWS
Change Observer
From the heavyweights who brought us Design Observer.

Good
An amazing—if slightly overwhelming—repository of good news.

Idealist News
Idealist.org’s recently launched site for not for profit news.

Change.org
Broad scope news and action site.

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DESIGN-CENTRIC (change starts in our practice)
Designers Accord
Designers unite for positive environmental and social impact.

Design Can Change
Designers engaged in doing their part to fight global warming.

Design for Development
Design as a tool for improving life.

Re-nourish.com
Making your practice more sustainable.

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CATALYSTS (grants, programs and network for social entrepreneurship through design)
Design21
Better design for the greater good.

Sustainable Everyday
Enzo Manzini’s initiative for more sustainable everyday living. Humbling and inspirational.

Project M
Intensive 4-week summer program for designers.

!mpact
NY School of Visual Arts’ newly launched 6-week long summer intensive workshop for social advocacy.

DesigNYC
Connecting not for profit with professional designers.

Ideas That Matter
Sappi Papers’ industry-specific grant scheme for ideas where design makes the difference.

Echoing Green
Fellowships for individuals and partnerships with a big idea for change. This is not design-centric but worth including.

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There are so many ways for design thinking to contribute to solving some of the world’s most pressing challenges. I’ve included a sampling of the resources available for designers and not for profits to get ideas produced but, in parallel to that approach, there’s a long list of studios all over the world offering annual initiatives where not for profits can apply for pro bono creative services or design support for a specific project.

What’s your idea?

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This list is obviously by no means extensive and doesn’t even scratch the surface of what’s going on in other continents. If you have a link that you think should be added please send it along.