John and Fonda Elliot, supporters of DI, with DI staff and Fellows

Support the Design Innovation (DI) Initiative

Empower Innovation at Kent State University

Join us in empowering Kent State University students to tackle real-world challenges by supporting the Design Innovation (DI) Hub! Your contributions, whether funding, materials, or expertise, will have a transformative impact on our students and their journeys toward shaping a brighter future. Your partnership not only helps unlock students' potential, but also aligns your organization with Kent State’s premier center for collaborative experiential learning and innovation. Explore ways to make a difference below:

 

Initiative Priorities
DI Hub Priorities
Ways to Give

The Design Innovation Initiative is focusing on the following key priorities to continue to provide an environment for our students to become innovators, activators, and cultivators who evolve strong, collaborative design innovation mindsets:

  • Challenge-Based Innovation Programs
    • What It Supports: Funds student participation in dynamic, hands-on experiences focused on creative problem-solving and real-world challenges. This could include courses, design challenges, workshops, hackathons, or other events which serve to hone students’ creative and critical thinking skills. Funds may be used to support student travel, materials, machine use and other needs in pursuit of their challenge objectives. 
    • Impact: Donations support student involvement on interdisciplinary teams to address real and impactful challenge-based innovation projects. By funding these programs, you help students apply classroom learning to solve real-world problems, fostering teamwork, resilience, and innovative mindsets.
    • Your Benefit: Gain access to event results, position your brand as an innovation leader, enjoy recognition on promotional materials and event signage, and gain fresh perspectives on challenges facing your industry. 
  • Bring Your Challenges to DI  
    • What It Supports: Brings real-world challenges facing your industry directly to DI students, inviting them to ideate and develop potential solutions in a structured, collaborative workshop or course setting.
    • Impact: Your industry challenge gives students an authentic glimpse into problem-solving within your sector while generating fresh ideas and perspectives.
    • Your Benefit: Access innovative solutions, potential recruitment prospects, and the chance to work alongside students passionate about your field.
  • Funding Student Innovation Awards or Scholarships
    • What It Supports: Establish awards or scholarships for students who demonstrate exceptional skill, innovation, or impact in their work.
    • Impact: These awards recognize and motivate students, helping them further pursue innovative projects and opportunities.
    • Your Benefit: Be acknowledged as a champion of education and innovation, with your contribution fostering the growth of promising talent in your field.


Support Design Innovation

The DI HUB provides spaces, services, and resources that encourage students to take on new projects and cross-disciplinary collaborations.

  • Funding Supplies, Technology, and Resources
    • What It Supports: Provides essential supplies, from tools and equipment to 3D printing materials and electronics, supporting student projects and creating a hands-on educational environment.
    • Impact: By equipping our students with industry-standard tools and supplies, you will help build their technical skills, creativity, and confidence while better preparing them for real-world innovation.
    • Your Benefit: Your donation supports the next generation of problem-solvers while offering tax benefits and corporate goodwill.
  • Naming Opportunities
    • What It Supports: Contributes toward the creation and maintenance of dynamic DI Hub spaces, such as collaborative workspaces, shops, labs, and our Reactor makerspace.
    • Impact: A named space leaves a lasting legacy and ensured that future students, faculty, and community members recognize your commitment to fostering innovation and education.
    • Your Benefit: A named space reinforces your values and boosts brand visibility among Kent State’s next generation of industry leaders.
  • Supporting New DI Hub Initiatives
    • What It Supports: Directs funding towards special DI Hub programs, outreach efforts, or pilot initiatives that advance interdisciplinary collaboration and innovation.
    • Impact: Your support makes it possible to launch impactful programs that meet emerging student and industry needs, expanding the DI Hub’s mission.
    • Your Benefit: Gain early recognition as a founding supporter of cutting-edge initiatives that shape the direction of design and innovation at Kent State.
  • Space-Specific Donations
    • Blank_Lab - This lab is a ”black box”' makerspace-style environment for immersive (AR/VR/Mixed Reality) applications. Funds will be used to purchase additional projectors and equipment.
    • MuseLab and the DI Gallery - This is an experimental environment for museum and exhibition innovations, co-managed by DI and the I-School. Funds will be used to support recurring exhibition costs for students, faculty and staff.
    • i3 Lab - This is a collaborative 'accelerator' program co-managed by DI and LaunchNet. Funds will be used for mentorship and to support accelerating projects from challenge-based events and hackathons.
  • In-Kind Donations of Materials, Equipment, or Expertise
    • What It Supports: Offers critical resources that support hands-on learning, including specialty materials, cutting-edge equipment, or expert-led workshops.
    • Impact: These in-kind contributions allow students to work with new and advanced technologies and methodologies, enriching their learning experience.
    • Your Benefit: Position your company as a leader in technology and skill development while expanding your network within the university community.

Support Design Innovation

Select any of the links below to learn more about the most common options for giving to Kent State University.

Give Online, By Phone or By Mail

Making a gift online, by phone or through the mail are simple and direct ways to support Kent State.

Faculty and Staff Giving

What sets us apart is how we come together for our students. Faculty and staff support of Kent State goes above and beyond the work we do every day and strengthens our university as a result. 

Employer Matching

Many employers sponsor matching gift programs and will match any charitable contributions or volunteer hours made by their employees. 

Planned Giving

A planned gift is a way to leave a lasting legacy and make a profound impact on Kent State University well into the future.

Endowment and Naming Opportunities

The creation of an endowment benefitting a scholarship or program or the decision to name a position, space or program allows for your gift to Kent State to reach far into the future. 

Corporate Partnerships

The university offers various ways for corporations to partner with the institution, including sponsorships and naming opportunities throughout its eight-campus footprint in Northeast Ohio. 

Memorial and Honorarium Gifts

Kent State University has several options for donating in memory of or in honor of a loved one, friend, colleague or organization. This is a unique way to pay tribute while making an important impact on students and programs.

More Ways to Give

View a list of all the different ways you can give through Kent State, including through wire transfers, donor advised funds, real estate, securities and more.

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