Design Impact Grants: 2024 Guidelines

Chicago Mobile Makers, 2020 Grant Recipient

 

2024 Grant Guidelines

We recognize that making change takes time and welcome applications to support both new and ongoing projects. The Designing a Better Chicago Advisory Committee does not expect immediate success and certainly recognizes the uncertainty of planning in the current moment. However, application timelines and deliverables will be reviewed for realistic progress towards short term and long term goals, and applicants will need to demonstrate measurable ways to track project impact.

Awardees will be expected to participate in public programming, virtual or otherwise if deemed safe (e.g. panel discussion, site visit, tour) during NeoCon in the grant award period in June 2024. Read more about previous winners here.

 

Projects must have these elements:

  • Project can be new (starting in FY2024) or ongoing

  • Project must be design-oriented or must leverage design or design principles in its approach

  • Project can be anything from a physical project to a digital tool that improves public life or public space

  • Must have a clear and measurable impact on targeted audience

  • Project must be located or realized within Chicago city limits

We strongly encourage projects that:

  • Make a lasting, positive impact on your community (ideally beyond 2024).

  • Are broadly accessible.

  • Are socially-engaged and sustainable.

We welcome projects that:

  • Are a first-time collaboration between individuals or organizations.

  • Push an existing body of work in a new direction.

 

What types of projects are we looking for? 

"Design" is broadly defined. As you consider projects and ideas for this grant proposal, we thought it might be helpful to frame up our perspective.

For the purposes of DBC, design is:

  • A set of problem-solving tools and/or strategies that address and solve problems to advance civic good

  • The manipulation of form, function, and content within a specific context

Design is not:

  • Simply illumination of (or advocacy for) an issue without its advancement

  • Public art that doesn't address an underlying problem or strategy

  • Constrained to any specific medium or discipline

How do I decide which grant program to apply for?

In 2024, the program will host two awards: 1) the NeoCon: Design Impact Award, recognizing individuals or organizations using design for civic good and related programming in Chicago and 2) the Richard H. Driehaus Foundation: Built Environment Award, supporting leaders working to bring significant long-term impacts to Chicago communities and neighborhoods.

There will be one single application for both grant programs. Nominees will be asked to self-identify in the appropriate grant program to give the advisory committee a sense of the nominee’s intent, but all projects will be considered for both grants.

What criteria will the committee use to evaluate applications?

To ensure an objective, efficient, and transparent evaluation process, the Designing a Better Chicago Advisory Committee will review applications against a standardized rubric. The rubric for the NeoCon: Design Impact Award is available here, and the rubric for the Richard H. Driehaus Foundation: Built Environment Award is available here.

 

Who is Eligible

  • People who live or work in the City of Chicago

  • Individuals (18+)

  • Non-profit organizations or entities

  • Potential sectors projects may benefit include but are not limited to: Education, Environment, Housing, Public Safety, Health and Wellbeing, and Diversity.

The full process for nomination and application can be found here. Questions? Please contact us at grants@designchicago.org.

Lauren Boegen