Design Jam 2026

Design Jam: Creativity for Community Betterment is a brand-new event by dsmHack, built to support local nonprofit organizations through the power of creative collaboration. During this fast-paced, community-driven experience, designers, strategists, technologists, and nonprofit professionals will come together to collaborate and deliver high-impact design work that will help nonprofits strengthen their brands, clarify their messages, and advance their missions. Design Jam’s purpose is to remove creative barriers so good ideas can do more good.

All participants, including Design Jam hackers and nonprofit leaders, are expected to be on site at Gravitate Coworking in Downtown Des Moines on Friday, March 20 from 6 PM to 8 PM for the nonprofit kickoff presentations. To be eligible for cash prizes, hackers must also be present during the final showcase on Saturday, March 21 from 6 PM to 8 PM.

Outside of those hours, every Design Jam volunteer will have the freedom and flexibility to choose their own schedule and which projects they take on. Join the challenges that inspire you, collaborate directly with nonprofit leaders, and help bring their visions to life through creative work that drives real community impact.

Exceptional projects will be awarded cash prizes up to $1,000 for first place, $500 for second place, and $500 for third place, with additional prizes announced on the day of the event. Participants may submit work for multiple nonprofits and win multiple prizes.

To ensure these awards reflect both creativity and impact, judges will evaluate how well each project addresses the nonprofit’s needs, the clarity and usefulness of the final deliverables, the creativity of the solution, and the overall impact the work can have on the organization’s mission. We will also survey our nonprofit partners to determine how thoughtfully the hackers collaborated with others during the event.

Whether or not you win an award, you will walk away having made a meaningful impact and with portfolio ready work that shows the power of your creativity. Review the schedule below and get ready to create something that truly matters!

Info: Each nonprofit leader will introduce their organization by sharing its mission, vision, and values, along with the impact it has on the community it serves. They will provide insight into their organization, helping participants understand why it matters. Leaders will then outline the specific design, branding, or communication challenges they are facing and what they hope to accomplish during the hackathon. Volunteers will leave with a clear understanding of each nonprofit’s goals, constraints, and opportunities so they can create thoughtful, meaningful solutions throughout Design Jam.

Info: Gravitate Coworking Downtown will remain open and available to participants for the full 26 hours of Design Jam. Snacks and refreshments will be provided in the community kitchen throughout the event. A dsmHack board member will be on site at all times to assist with building access, and a contact number will be shared with all participants for any entry or support needs.

Info: Teams and individual participants will present the work they created during Design Jam, sharing their designs, concepts, and solutions with nonprofit leaders, judges, and fellow participants. Each nonprofit will have the opportunity to see how their challenge was approached and how the ideas can be used moving forward. This showcase celebrates the effort, collaboration, and impact of the weekend while giving judges the opportunity to evaluate submissions and select award recipients.

Info: Winning projects will be announced, prizes will be awarded, and we will take time to acknowledge the incredible work completed over the course of the event.

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

Gravitate Coworking (Downtown), 500 Locust Street, Des Moines, United States

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