With every story, we have been highlighting the International Design Guild showrooms who sponsor Design For A Difference projects in their respective cities and the amazing outcomes that come through collaborative partnerships with local designers and other businesses.
These heroes may not realize the magnitude of the impact they are making across the country, they simply roll-up their sleeves and work tirelessly, giving selflessly, in the spirit of giving back to those in need.
Here at IDG, we are gratified by the accomplishments of these great teammates, and it’s time to take a step back, take a deep breath, and reflect upon what we have achieved together since 2013.
To our regular readers, welcome back. If you’re reading for the first time, your timing is perfect.
Today we take great pride in showcasing milestones of Design for A Difference. Please join us and learn more as we celebrate for a moment with a well-deserved victory lap, before we roll-up our sleeves again to continue the journey.
What began as a vision in 2013 has become a movement of magnificent proportions over the last 6 years. Consider these stats:
212
The number of spaces which have been transformed as part of the Design For A Difference movement.
$5,475,000 and growing…
The value of goods and services that have been contributed to Design For A Difference projects nationwide.
1,100+
The number of companies and individuals who have contributed to Design For A Difference through their funds, goods or service offerings.
Here are just a few we’d like to give a shout-out to, along with a few tidbits of Design For A Difference trivia:
Shaw
A top US flooring name, attributable to over 15K square feet of donated flooring surfaces to makeovers across the country.
Recently acquired by Microsoft, LinkedIn is perhaps most recognized as the dominant business networking, recruitment and social media platform. Did you know they helped us out more than once by sponsoring our projects in Mountain View and Palo Alto, CA?
Hunter Douglas
From fancy blinds to minimal privacy solutions, Hunter Douglas offers it all. And they have generously offered a range of solutions including Silhouette, PowerView and Motorized shades to two large-scale projects in Silicon Valley.
Sherwin Williams
You know them for high-end paint, and they have helped to bring happiness to well over 100 rooms over the last 6 years, transforming gloomy and depressed spaces to give them new optimism and a bright outlook.
Steelcase
Based in Grand Rapids, Michigan, Steelcase is the preeminent name in workspace configuration. Thanks to their generosity, our makeover recipients are working happier and more efficiently in Palo Alto, CA.
Sharp Electronics
They have brought entertainment to multiple projects by generously offering vibrant display solutions to help brighten moods and welcome patrons.
Container Store
As early adopters of Design For A Difference, this powerhouse problem solver of storage donated essential product for our featured national makeover in Kansas City.
And many others too long to mention in this space, but we will catch you on the flip side…
12,000+
The number of trade professionals and consumers who have attended Design For A Difference events in IDG showrooms throughout the United States.
426
The number of designers in key US markets who have engaged in Design For A Difference and provided over 21,000 professional hours to our projects – every single moment of which was provided on a pro bono basis.
And providing backup to the 426 and learning valuable skills in their respective trades, and some great life lessons on the importance of giving back, are our 103 design team student participants.
Thanks for joining as we showcased the milestones accomplished of Design For A Difference. When Los Angeles based designer, Mark Brunetz, joined forces with IDG to bring Design For A Difference to life, few could have imagined the impact the program would have.
“What began as a simple idea, to utilize our skills and resources to give back to those who give so much, quickly blossomed before our eyes,” says Mark Brunetz. “And before we knew it, we harnessed the power of design to make a measurable difference for people from all walks of life. And today, the journey continues with incredible momentum.”
That’s what we call one heck of a start indeed, and we salute each and every participant and contributor. Please take a moment and help us spread the word? We have been featured on various media platforms in key markets including television, print, radio and online. We would love to hear which space in your market could benefit from a Design For A Difference transformation, and you might just be Project #213…
Learn more about Design for a Difference by visiting https://designforadiff.wpengine.com/