Our sponsors support the delivery of professional development, mentoring, and networking opportunities for current and future design professionals. Sponsorship at designated levels and half of all sponsor funds after expenses also support Design Justice initiatives including scholarships, courses, events, and work to support anti-racist culture shifts and design approaches.
Programs are developed and presented by the College of Design Student and Alumni Board (DSAB), which includes alumni, professionals, and graduate and undergraduate students from each of the college disciplines noted below. Activities support the transition from college to career, extend learning beyond the classroom, and build meaningful connections between the professional community, design students, and the College of Design.
Our award-winning programs include the Design Mentor Program, Dirty Laundry, Design in 7, and Design Forward. Each year, DSAB collaborates on unique one-off events, meant to engage students in both discipline-specific and cross-discipline conversations and opportunities.
Sponsor Benefits
Visibility
Sponsors gain visibility by co-branding with both the College of Design and the University of Minnesota and have the opportunity to expand professional connections within the fields of architecture, apparel design, graphic design, human factors and ergonomics, interior design, landscape architecture, product design, retail merchandising, and user experience (UX) design.
Who can Sponsor
Individuals and organizations can sponsor College to Career programs. Sponsorship supports one academic year of programming and donors receive a receipt from the University of Minnesota Foundation for their gift when processing is complete.
Tax-Deductible Support for Design Education
Individuals and organizations can sponsor College to Career programs at any level. Full-series sponsorship confirmed by or before September 30 supports one academic year of programs, 10-20 offerings, including all events noted below. Sponsorship by January 30 supports spring semester programs including our largest public event, Design in 7. Individual event and custom sponsorship opportunities are also available on request.
In addition, sponsorship at designated levels and half of all sponsor funds after expenses also contribute to the Design Justice Fund providing scholarships, and supporting anti-racist design initiatives, courses, and events, while advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives at the college and in our professions.
Payments can be made in one lump sum or divided into fall and spring installments to better suit your budget. All donors receive a receipt from the University of Minnesota Foundation for their tax-deductible gift when processing is complete, and the same benefits apply.
More Benefits
- Foster the next generation of leaders in design
- Advance Design Justice initiatives, scholarships, and courses
- Visibility with current and future design professionals
- Year-long or part-year recognition related to sponsored events
- Invitations and tickets to signature events
- Tax-deductible support of higher education and design justice
Become A Sponsor
Contact Lori Mollberg ([email protected]) to discuss sponsorship interest and options and complete your payment online or by check using the information below.
Deadlines
Full-series sponsorship is preferred by August 30 but accepted through September 30 for the upcoming school year. Spring semester sponsorship, including Design in 7 is preferred by December 30 but accepted until January 30. Contact us for custom sponsorship deadlines.
Donate by Mail
Make your check payable to the University of Minnesota Foundation noting the Design Student and Alumni Board College to Career Program Sponsorship Fund #20885. Mail your payment to:
College of Design Alumni Office
32 McNeal Hall
1985 Buford Avenue
Saint Paul, MN 55108
Make an Online Donation
Funds received through the DSAB Annual Sponsorship Program will be used to meet costs associated with the DSAB mission. Sponsorship recognition by DSAB or the college does not constitute an endorsement of the products or services of the sponsoring company, organization, or individual.
Sponsorship Levels
2023–24 College to Career Program Sponsors
Cum Laude
Honors
A portion of Honors level sponsorship and half of all sponsorship after program expenses goes to support Design Justice fellowships and initiatives.
Dean's List
