Why we're here Some of our communities' biggest problems are solved by nonprofits staffed almost entirely by volunteers. Their work deserves the best design, marketing, and technology, but these are far too often out of reach of these impactful organizations. Most nonprofits don't have the resources, time, or know-how to design and develop the things it could take us just a day to create. So for 12 hours, we gather the best designers and developers to work on projects for the most impactful organizations in the most creative and purposeful communities around the globe. Make a Mark is about creating an equity of design for organizations that worry about the toughest problems in our cities, slave over grants and reports, and sacrifice money and time with their families so we don’t have to think about or solve these same problems. Through your work to help nonprofits, you’re providing beautiful design and technology that can provide grants and share stories. But more importantly we are sharing experiences and spreading hope to one another. We are saying a small thank you to those in our society that work tirelessly. We are building empathy in a world that needs it.

Applications Makers All creatives, makers, and builders are invited to apply. Whether you're a designer, developer, film maker, illustrator, photographer, or anything else, a deserving non-profit in our area may be able to make use of your strengths, skills, and altruism. Your application also helps us decide what project to put you on, so be sure to share all of the work you love to do in your portfolio or elsewhere in the application. We carefully select teams based on the various strengths of the makers, and the needs of the non-profits. If you have any requests on who you want to be on a team with, be sure you (and they!) note it in the application. We cannot guarantee that we will be able to put you on the same team to fulfill the needs of a non-profit, but we will try our best. Non-profits Applications are open to any community organization, not just those registered 501(c)3. While we receive lots of great applications every year, we usually only have enough space to accept half. Please know that if we do not have space for your organization this year, we may in future years — so keep in touch! The most competitive applications expand beyond just the mission statement, and discuss the activities a non-profit runs as well as its significance and impact in the community, including how many can be served and/or impacted. If you aren’t sure which among a few projects you have might be the best fit, feel free to submit more than one application for your organization! We’ll figure out what this year’s makers will be best suited for to help you. Timing Applications open for each event about 2 to 3 months in advance. Please see your local event's page to apply.

How it works Applications Both non-profits and makers submit applications 2 to 3 months in advance. Non-profits do not have to be 501(c)3. Makers are developers, designers, film makers, illustrators, and more. Due to capacity restrictions, not all who apply will not be selected to participate. Selection & Team Formation 4 to 6 weeks before the event, non-profits and makers are selected, notified, and assigned teams. Each team has one non-profit project, and is usually composed of 3-5 makers. Planning Meetings 2 to 3 weeks before the event, we will schedule a 60 minute planning meeting for selected makers and non-profit representatives to meet the rest of their team. The non-profit representative, all makers, and Make a Mark representatives all attend the meeting to lay the groundwork for the project to be completed at the event. Because of the success of these meetings, they are required for everyone to attend in order to participate in the day-of event. The Marathon Event Makers work on their projects starting at 8 AM with non-profit representatives stop by to have a brief check-in with their teams throughout the late morning and early afternoon. This is a good time for makers to present drafts to the non-profit representatives and get any remaining feedback or resources needed to complete the project. In the afternoon, non-profit representatives may have the option of attending a non-profit speaker series. These speakers, as chosen by our selected non-profits, discuss some of the most pressing topics impacting their work. At the end of the day, with the non-profits back in attendance, each team presents their work. Following demos, we have an after party to toast to the big day!

Make-a-thon Schedule Each make-a-thon has lots that makes it unique. However, they all follow this general schedule. This is only to help give a picture of what Make a Mark looks like. For a specific event's schedule, please navigate to that event's page. 2 to 3 weeks before — Planning Meetings A 60 minute planning meeting for you to meet your team is held. The non-profit representative, all makers, and Make a Mark representatives all attend the meeting to lay the groundwork for the project to be completed at the event. Because of the success of these meetings, they are required for everyone to attend in order to participate in the day-of event. The Marathon Event 7:30 am — Check-in Opens After you check in, fill up on some breakfast to get the day started on the right foot! 8:00 am — Kickoff During the morning, you have access to as much coffee as you can drink, snacks, and plenty of space to take a break whenever you need to unwind your mind. Morning Break If you're new to Make a Mark, you should know that you'll be well-fed. Morning breaks feature a nice spread of snacks to keep the energy up! 11:00 am — Non-profit Check-ins Begin Non-profit representatives stop by to have a brief check-in with their teams. This is a good time for makers to present drafts to the non-profit representatives and get any remaining feedback or resources needed to complete the project. 12:00 pm — Lunch Lunch will be provided, usually from a local favorite. 2:00 pm — Non-profit Speaker Series Some events feature speakers as chosen by the selected non-profits to discuss some of the most pressing topics impacting their work. Attendance is optional. 6:30 pm — Dinner Non-profit representatives join their maker teams as we all grab dinner. 7:00 pm — Drinks + Demos Each team introduces their non-profit to the group, and shows everyone what they worked on during the event. 8:00 pm — After Party Grab a local brew, wine, or soda, and mingle with others in the Make a Mark community to unwind from a big day.

Common Questions Do I have to be a 501(c)3 to apply as a non-profit? No! Each year, we have had charitable and community-focused organizations that are not registered 501(c)3 take part in Make a Mark. How big does my portfolio have to be to apply as a maker? It doesn't matter — the more we can see, the better we can place you on a team, but if you're just getting started as a designer, developer, or other creator, just let us know and we can pair you on a team with a mentor who has been in your industry. What if I can't make it to the planning meeting? Because of the success of the planning meetings, they are required. Only those who attend their planning meeting will be able to participate in the marathon event. How are teams selected? We carefully select teams based on the various strengths of the makers, and the needs of the non-profits. If you already have one or a few people that want to be on a team together, just be sure to all indicate that in your applications. We cannot guarantee that we will be able to put you on the same team to fulfill the needs of a non-profit, but we will try our best. What is Make a Mark as an organization? Make a Mark was born out of the need and desire to bridge the gap between the nonprofit/humanitarian community and the creative community. We seek to provide resources and foster an environment where community organizations and visual communicators can engage with one another to better our world. Make a Mark has always pushed to support talented people leading life-changing causes with the innovation and creativity they need to thrive. We will experiment with new ways we can serve the passionate and purposeful. Stay tuned! What makes Make a Mark unique? We are constantly driven by our purpose — to help people tell their stories through design, creativity and technology. All our decisions are extremely intentional and made with that foundation in mind. We refuse to stray from our purpose. The initial goal of our first Make-a-Thon was to work hard and give deserving nonprofits something that could push their programs forward. What actually came out of the event was so much more than that. What moved us was the community that was created between the Makers and nonprofits. What is a Make a Mark Make-a-Thon? Make a Mark is a 12-hour design and development marathon benefiting local nonprofits. We bring together student and professional designers and developers to create pro-bono work for deserving nonprofit/humanitarian organizations. What is a Maker? Makers include designers, developers, illustrators, photographers, videographers and any other creatives. These are dedicated and talented volunteers that make the event happen. Who qualifies as a nonprofit with Make a Mark? Nonprofits are any community organizations or initiatives doing good for their neighbors, regardless of 501c3 status. What is a mentor? These individuals act as creative directors on the day of the event by providing feedback and ideas for teams that want or need it. These people are often instructors in their fields and are able to communicate and lead teams. Do you really have a finished product in 12 hours? Yes, you can definitely have a finished product in 12 hours. Print, logo and rebrand projects always wrap up within the day. Because there are final details with hosting, website projects often require an additional hour or two to wrap up, but that falls on Make a Mark to complete. Makers are only committed to the 12 hours and other Make a Mark members complete any final details and follow up. Do the nonprofits use the work? Yes! The nonprofits are always so grateful and excited to use the work that they receive at the event. A few notable examples from across the years include a rebrand for Micah’s Caring Initiative, a new logo and website for the Roanoke Community Garden Association and a gorgeous rebrand and website for On Our Own. Why make? Make a Mark is an opportunity to take the skills that you have and spend just one day helping those that give back so much of their lives (often unpaid) to the community in which you live. It’s also a chance to try something new that may never cross your path otherwise.