More free stuff

If you visit the Design America Foundation on-line, you won't just find a good looking web site--they also have a program to donate free design services to charitable organizations (i.e., nonprofits). Chicago is one of 30 cities where they are working.

You have to write a proposal--but they will provide up to $40,000 worth of design help. For grins and giggles, and general edification, here is some guidance from their web site on good and bad proposal language:

Applications that have the most compelling outcome-tracking measures are most favored.

Examples of strong requests: We need our project's message to reach 30,000 people over a 12-month period with a 3% response to our call center. We have $10,000 to apply to production. We serve an invisible, transient population that is difficult to track. We need a project that will help us connect with 250 youth over a 6-month period. We have $2,500 to apply to production. Examples of weak requests: Our PR Committee developed a communications plan we need implemented. We need all new print material. Our website and agency brochure do not coordinate and look unprofessional. We need a new website and collateral material that present a more polished image of us. We need a new logo.

Go get 'em!