This Chicago-Based Charity Is Making Good Design More Accessible

Chicago-based charity Designs for Dignity, founded by interior designer Susan Fredman on the belief that everyone deserves access to good design, helps create restorative environments for nonprofit service organizations and at-risk populations. In celebration of its 25th anniversary, LUXE checked in with CEO Jennifer Sobecki to learn more about the organization.

Tell us more about Designs for Dignity.

We harness the talents and resources of the design community at large to renovate and revitalize the spaces of nonprofit organizations that provide social services to marginalized communities. Whether it’s a counseling center, food pantry, affordable housing, youth empowerment center or community health center, we create environments that heal and provide dignity. We recognize that these organizations service many people who have experienced some form of trauma in their lives. Our goal is to design spaces that minimize the retraumatization of these individuals.

Who helps you in this mission?

We engage the design industry via volunteer designers and event volunteers for our fundraisers. We also leverage the vendors and manufacturers in the industry to provide excess furniture and materials to outfit our project sites. Using the power of design, we have positively impacted hundreds of thousands of lives by transforming more than 290 nonprofit spaces and leveraging over $18 million in pro bono design services and donated materials.

What fundraising events should readers be on the lookout for?

We host about six fundraisers, depending on the year, with our largest being our Spirit of Design event held every May. In August, we will have our annual Swing for Dignity golf outing, and every other fall we host a Kitchen Walk in Michigan’s Harbor Country. This year’s tour will have six to seven homes and feature food or beverage tastings along the way. Later this fall we will also host Carpets for a Cause in partnership with Oscar Isberian Rugs, a charity auction for which designers create one-of-a-kind carpets.