DesignTO Futures Fund | 2025 Annual Campaign

DesignTO is building a future where creativity leads, communities thrive, and design sparks joyful change.

Every January, we transform Toronto into a city-wide gallery with 100+ free exhibitions, installations, and events. It’s the largest celebration of design in Canada that’s open to all and powered by the people who believe design belongs in public life.

This year, we’re inviting our community to help support this non-profit work through our first annual fundraising campaign. Together, we’re investing in the next generation of Canadian design.

Your Impact, Milestone by Milestone

Your support fuels a campaign designed to strengthen DesignTO’s foundation, expand opportunities for emerging creatives, and deepen our year-round programming. Each milestone unlocks a new layer of impact.

Foundation

June 9 – July 6 | Goal: $50,000

You’re not just keeping things running. You’re expanding what’s possible.

Your gift helps sustain our core operations—ensuring we can continue to showcase hundreds of artists and designers each year without reducing artist fees, programming, or momentum. This is the groundwork for everything that follows.

Formation

July 7 – August 3 | Goal: $30,000

DesignTO is more than a festival. It’s a launchpad.
With your support, we’re able to run two cornerstone programs:

  • The DesignTO Youth Program provides mentorship and exhibition opportunities for 60 equity-deserving youth each year.
  • The DesignTO Awards celebrate design excellence with 24 awards that recognize bold voices and innovative projects.

These programs reflect our long-term investment in creativity, community, and opportunity.

Flourish

August 4 – August 31 | Goal: $20,000

Design is how we connect, reflect, and grow. Let’s deepen that connection.

This phase expands DesignTO’s year-round programming with:

  • An annual symposium
  • Artist talks and studio tours
  • Editorial features spotlighting fresh perspectives and new work
  • Support for the team behind the festival, through sustainable staffing and compensation

Donate to the DesignTO Future Fund Now

“The role of the arts has always been to support communities and enrich our collective story. That’s why it’s important to support initiatives like DesignTO.”

— Roda Medhat, artist and 2025 exhibitor

Become a DesignTO Community Champion

Want to make a bigger impact? Join us as a DesignTO Community Champion and help fuel the future of Canadian design.

Through our peer-to-peer fundraising campaign, powered by Zeffy, you can create your own personalized fundraising page, rally your network, and directly support the creatives, programs, and public events that make DesignTO possible.

What it means to be a Champion:

  • Commit to raising $1,000 or more during the campaign
  • Share your story and connection to design
    Invite your community to support a cause rooted in creativity, equity, and public access
  • Help us reach our $100,000 goal—together

DesignTO Community Champions receive tools, templates, and support every step of the way. You’ll be part of a city-wide team of creatives, business owners, and community builders all raising their voices—and raising funds—for design that matters.

Sign up as a Community Champion

Important Note on Donations

DesignTO is a registered non-profit organization, but not a charity. We can issue receipts, but not charitable donation receipts.

All donations go directly toward supporting our free annual festival and public programs.

What You Make Possible

DesignTO ignites cultural transformation by harnessing the power of design to foster sustainability, equity, and joy.

  • In 2025, the Festival welcomed over 200,000 attendees and featured more than 100 free exhibitions and events.
  • We showcased 450+ artists and designers at the 2025 Festival from across Canada and beyond.
  • In 2025, our economic impact included over $31.4 million in tourism spending and $25.5 million in contributions to Toronto’s GDP.
  • Since 2011, we’ve welcomed more than 1 million visitors, elevated over 6,500 artists and designers, and reached 2.6 billion people globally through print and digital media.
  • Each year, we work with 60 equity-deserving youth, giving them access to mentorship, visibility, and a creative future.
“The DesignTO Festival opened up my eyes to the dynamic community around me—it made me proud to be part of this city.”

— Munira Ravji, local business owner

Design-Driven Impact, Powered by You

When you give to the DesignTO Futures Fund, you’re not just making a donation. You’re investing in a creative ecosystem that uplifts artists, connects communities, and brings design into public life.

You’re helping build a stronger, more inclusive future through design.

Let’s imagine what comes next. Let’s design it—together.

Make your gift today and help us reach our $100,000 goal by August 31. Every dollar builds a more vibrant, creative, and connected future.

Donate Now | Become a Community Champion