99designs launches 99nonprofits to bring free design to non-profit organizations

I’ve written before on my distaste of crowd-sourcing and spec work in the graphic design industry, but in the event of wild contests and charity work, my perspective shifts. As for today’s launch of 99nonprofits by 99designs, this new initative to bring free designs to non-profits has won me over.

Here’s how 99nonprofits will work: A total of 99 non-profit organizations will be selected by 99designs to host free design contests, and if all works out, the organization will leave with a slick design, and the winning designer will be paid directly by 99designs for his or her work.

Here’s a list of the first 7 participating organizations:

• Cancer Council Australia
• Greenbelt Alliance (open space preservation; California)
• Black Dog Institute (mental health research and treatment; New South Wales)
• Menlowe Ballet (California)
• CASE for Refugees (legal services; Western Australia)
• National Breast Cancer Foundation (Australia)
• Voice of Warriors (support and resources for veterans and their families; Michigan)

According to 99designs CEO Patrick Llewellyn, the company has hosted “thousands of contests for not-for-profit organizations” since 2008, and now, 99nonprofits has the potential to “provide a streamlined platform for evaluating requests, granting aid and working closely with participants every step of the way.”

If you work for a non-profit organization and want to try and get in on this new initiative, you can submit an application here. For more, check out the site via the link below:

➤ 99nonprofits